Windows 8.1 Crashes with BSOD and error: Critical Process died

Hi Mads,

Thank you for your update on the issue.

If you do not have Windows 8 installation DVD, you may have to create one, boot the computer from it and then perform an Automatic Repair. To create installation media, you may refer to the article given below:

Create installation media for Windows 8.1

After creating the disc, boot the computer from the disc and then try the following method to perform an Automatic Repair.

1. Contact the computer manufacturer to know on how to change the boot order of the computer. You will have to change the boot device to CD/DVD drive and then boot from the Windows 8.1 installation disk.
2. In the “Windows Setup” dialog box that appears, set the Time and currency format, Keyboard or input method and the language to install and then click “Next”.
3. Click on “Repair your computer” from the lower left corner.
4. From the “Choose an option screen”, click on “Troubleshoot”.
5. Click “Advanced Options” in the “Troubleshoot” screen.
6. In the “Advanced Options” screen, click “Automatic Repair”.
7. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the Automatic Repair.

Let us know the status of the issue. If you need further assistance, please post back. We will be glad to help you.

Hello Xavier,

As per the description, I understand that your Windows 8.1 has been crashed with BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) and upon restarting computer it is showing that critical process died. Since you have already tried safe mode and sfc /scannow but unable to get successful result, it seems like the issue is critical and we need details of the issue before performing any major troubleshooting steps.

1. Have you recently made any changes on your computer, prior to the issue?
2. Have you recently installed any security update/software?
3. Are you getting any error code or message when Computer crashes or startup?
4. What issue are you facing when you try to boot in safe mode?
5. Is there any Windows Update which has been failed recently?

Note: To know the KB numbers of the failing updates, follow the underlying steps:

1. Open Windows Update by clicking the Start button.
2. In the search box, type Update, and then, in the list of results, click Windows Update.
3. In the left pane, click View update history.

As of now, I suggest you try the following methods:

Method 1:

Boot the computer in a Clean Boot state and check the status. A clean boot helps to verify if any third party application service or startup item is causing this issue.

Clean Boot Disclaimer: Putting your system in Clean Boot state helps in identifying if any third party applications or startup items are causing the issue. You need to follow the steps from the article mentioned below to perform a Clean Boot.

Note: After you have finished troubleshooting, follow steps under “How to reset the computer to start as usual after troubleshooting with clean boot” in the article to boot to normal startup.

Once Clean Boot would be performed please uninstall all the unnecessary/unknown application from Programs and Features.

Method 2:

Following are the steps to remove Unknown applications from Program and Features:

1. Press Windows + R, type control panel and then click on ok.
2. Change the view by (from Windows Explorer) to large icons or small icons.
3. Double click on Programs and Features.
4. Uninstall all the unknown application. (You can verify the Application by checking their “Publisher”. Do not uninstall Microsoft Applications)

Once all the unnecessary items would be uninstall. Please perform Method 1 again followed by Method 3.

Method 3:

Run a full computer scan with the Microsoft Safety Scanner to make sure that the computer is free from virus.

Important: The Microsoft Safety Scanner is a free downloadable security tool that provides on-demand scanning and helps remove viruses, spyware, and other malicious software. It works with your existing antivirus software.

**Note:**The Microsoft Safety Scanner expires 10 days after being downloaded. To rerun a scan with the latest anti-malware definitions, download and run the Microsoft Safety Scanner again.

**Note:**Any data files that are infected may only be cleaned by deleting the file entirely, which means there is a potential for data loss.

Once scan and fix would be completed. Restart the computer and try to run Automatic Repair if prompt comes up, if no prompt comes up then perform Windows Update.

Please follow the steps to install available Windows Updates. Make sure you run the Windows Updates while your mouse is connected to your computer.

1. Press Windows + C, type Windows Update in the Search box, then click Windows Update in the results pane.
2. Click Check for Updates. After the scan is complete, click Review optional updates.
3. Click the check box next to the updates, then click Install updates.
4. If prompted, review the license agreement, then click I Accept.
5. Follow the onscreen instructions to download and install the updates. If prompted, reboot your computer.

Hope this information is helpful. Please feel free to reply, in case you face any other issues with Windows in future.