Credit: Thinkstock To solve Windows 10 system crashes, you need to understand what causes the dreaded Blue Screen of Death in Windows 10. Windows 10 operates in both Kernel Mode and User Mode. The idea is simple; run core operating system code and device drivers in Kernel Mode and software applications and user mode drivers in User Mode. For applications to access the services of the OS and the hardware, they must call upon Windows services that act as proxies. Thus, by blocking User Mode code from having direct access to Kernel Mode, OS operations are generally well protected. The problem is when Kernel Mode code goes awry. In most cases, it is third-party drivers living in Kernel Mode that make erroneous calls, such as to non-existent memory or to overwrite OS code, that can result in system failures. And, yes, it is true that Window itself is seldom at fault. Kernel Mode software has complete and unfettered access to the hardware. Software operating here is normally the most trusted because it can execute any instruction and reference any address in the system. Crashes in Kernel Mode are complete system failures requiring a reboot. This is where you find the operating system kernel code and most drivers. + MORE WINDOWS 10: Keep up to date with the latest on Windows 10 + User Mode software cannot directly access the hardware or reference any address freely. It must pass instructions – perhaps more accurately requests – through calls to APIs. This feature enables protection for the overall operation of the system, regardless of whether an application makes an erroneous call or tries to access an inappropriate address. Crashes in User Mode are generally recoverable, requiring a restart of the application but not the entire system. This is where you find most of the code running on your computer ranging from Microsoft Word to a browser and some drivers. So, with much of the software running in User Mode these days, there is simply less opportunity for applications to corrupt system-level software and, for that matter, each other. However, kernel-mode software is not protected from other kernel-mode software. For example, if a video driver erroneously accesses a portion of memory assigned to another program (or memory not marked as accessible to drivers) Windows will stop the entire system. Related content opinion What is DNS and how does it work? The Domain Name System resolves the names of internet sites with their underlying IP addresses adding efficiency and even security in the process. By Josh Fruhlinger and Keith Shaw Mar 29, 2024 11 mins Internet Networking news analysis Industry groups drive Ethernet upgrades for AI, HPC AI networking and bulkier data center applications are sparking advancements in Ethernet-based communication technologies. By Michael Cooney Mar 29, 2024 8 mins High-Performance Computing Data Center Networking news Nvidia GTC 2024 wrap-up: Blackwell not the only big news More happened at the Nvidia GTC conference than the Blackwell announcement, including the launch of two new high-speed network platforms. By Andy Patrizio Mar 29, 2024 5 mins CPUs and Processors High-Performance Computing Data Center analysis Network automation challenges are dampening success rates Most enterprises are juggling multiple commercial, open source, and homegrown network automation tools, and few are reporting fully successful automation initiatives. By Denise Dubie Mar 28, 2024 6 mins Data Center Automation Network Management Software Network Monitoring PODCASTS VIDEOS RESOURCES EVENTS NEWSLETTERS Newsletter Promo Module Test Description for newsletter promo module. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe