Disable Automatic Restart on BSOD via Regedit

When Windows encounters a fatal system error—commonly known as a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)—it automatically restarts by default, often preventing you from noting critical error codes and diagnostic information. This guide provides a straightforward method to disable the automatic reboot feature by configuring the CrashControl settings within the Windows Registry Editor (regedit).

Steps to Disable Automatic Reboot on BSOD

  1. Open the Registry Editor

    • Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
    • Type regedit and press Enter or click OK.
    • Click Yes if prompted by User Account Control (UAC).

  2. Navigate to the CrashControl Key

    • In the left sidebar of the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path:

      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\CrashControl

  3. Modify the AutoReboot Value

    • In the right-hand pane, locate the DWORD (32-bit) value named AutoReboot.
    • Double-click AutoReboot to open its properties.
    • Change the Value data from 1 (automatic restart enabled) to 0 (automatic restart disabled).
    • Ensure the Base is set to Hexadecimal, then click OK.

    (Note: If the AutoReboot value does not exist, right-click an empty area in the right pane, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, name it AutoReboot, and set its value to 0.)

  4. Restart Your Computer

    • Close the Registry Editor.
    • Restart Windows to apply the changes.

Once these steps are completed, your system will remain on the BSOD screen whenever a crash occurs, allowing you to document the stop code and troubleshoot the root cause. To revert this change in the future, simply change the AutoReboot value back to 1.