Is Microsoft down? Here's what you need to know about recent CrowdStrike fiasco
CrowdStrike's recent Falcon Sensor update causes the outage
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Key notes
- On July 19, 2024, Windows PCs faced Blue Screen of Death issues, disrupting various sectors.
- The problem stemmed from a faulty update to CrowdStrike’s Falcon Sensor software.
- CrowdStrike has rolled back the update, but many systems remain affected.
“Is Microsoft down right now?” is probably a question that everybody’s asking recently.
Thousands of Windows PCs and desktops reported the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) on July 19, 2024, which affected TV stations, airports, supermarkets, hospitals, and even the Paris Olympics. Some airports, including the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, India, even had to resort to filling details of passengers manually.
But, how did that happen?
CrowdStrike, a cybersecurity firm, has taken responsibility, as the issue was affected by a problem with its Falcon Sensor software. The company released an update that caused a widespread disruption affecting major platforms such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft 365, Meta’s popular apps like Instagram, and even airline communications.
The company has since rolled back the problematic update, but many systems remain impacted. Users are advised to report issues to their system administrators and avoid opening support tickets directly with CrowdStrike, as the company is actively working on a resolution.
This is a developing story.
