Sometimes you need to test how a system reacts to a kernel panic or a bug check, perhaps to verify monitoring systems or crash dump collection. This registry tweak enables a manual blue screen trigger.

The Fix

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\i8042prt\Parameters]
"CrashOnCtrlScroll"=dword:00000001

Why it works

  • This registry setting, when enabled, allows the system to be manually crashed by holding down the right Ctrl key and pressing the Scroll Lock key twice. It's a kernel-level trigger.

Verify

  • After applying the registry change and rebooting, hold the right Ctrl key and press Scroll Lock twice. Your system should immediately experience a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) with a MANUALLY_INITIATED_CRASH bug check.

Notes

  • Requires Administrator privileges.
  • CAUTION: This will crash your system without warning, potentially leading to data loss if unsaved work is open. Use with extreme care and only for testing purposes.
  • Reboot is required for the registry change to take effect.
  • The Scroll Lock key is often a shared key on modern keyboards (Fn + another key).
  • Remember to set CrashOnCtrlScroll back to 0 or delete the entry when testing is complete.

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