KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED – What is it?
Some users installing or upgrading to Windows 10 experienced the theKMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED Blue Screen of Death (or commonly known as BSOD) error. This error can be due to different types of things, ranging from software to driver issues. When you experience this BSOD error while trying to install Windows 10, it will prompt you to restart your computer every single time you experience it. In most cases, you will also not be able to proceed with the Windows 10 set-up.
Solution
Error Causes
The “KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED” error is normally caused by:
- Hardware incompatibility
- A faulty device driver or system service
Further Information and Manual Repair
You won’t be able to successfully upgrade or set up Windows 10 if you continue to encounter this BSOD error. Note that this error will always prompt your computer to restart every time it happens, preventing you from completing the Windows 10 set-up.
If you’re not tech-savvy or not capable of debugging this issue, it’s highly advisable to proceed with the basic troubleshooting techniques available in this link.
After troubleshooting, below you’ll find a few solutions to rectify the issue.
Method 1 – Check The Cause of The BSOD Error
Two common causes of the KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED issue are hardware incompatibility and faulty device driver or system service.
If you experience this error, check first if any of your newly installed hardware is compatible with Windows 10. You can find the required hardware for Windows 10 from this link.
If all your hardware is compatible with Windows 10, you might need to check the device driver or system service. Review the bug check message. If any of the drivers you have is listed in the message, either disable or uninstall them before upgrading or setting up Windows 10.
You might also find it useful to check the System Log available in the Event Viewer for other error messages that can help you figure out the driver or device that’s causing the error. Running hardware diagnostics can also be useful.
Method 2 – Disable (or preferably uninstall) Software Before Upgrading
If you’re upgrading Windows 10 from Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, you might need to disable or uninstall the software first. First, try uninstalling your Antivirus utility before starting the upgrade. Restart a few times before starting the Windows 10 installation. If you’re upgrading using the Windows 10 update, make sure that you disconnect from your Wi-Fi or Internet LAN (Ethernet) connection as soon as the download reaches 100% before attempting to start the set-up. Other users also reported that the cause of the KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED issue is BitDefender. If this is what happened in your case, it will show in the error message such as KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED (bdselfpr.sys). Users reported that a common solution for this is renaming the file. In the case of BitDefender, try renaming it to bdselfpr.s__. However, make sure to do this cautiously. Sometimes, renaming a file will even do more damage than good.Method 3 – Disable/Disconnect From Hardware
If you’re connected to any general USB devices (such a smart card reader), disable it. If your computer is connected to other external devices, disconnect all of them. Examples of this include gaming controllers, printers, external hard disk, USB keys, and other non-essential devices).Method 4 – Other Troubleshooting Steps
Other troubleshooting steps include:
- Upgrade using an .ISO file, instead of directly upgrading from Windows Update. When you do this, make sure you’re disconnected from the Internet during installation. If the process started and you forgot to disconnected, it’s best to restart the installation.
- If you’re connected to a domain while trying to set up Windows 10, disconnect and use a local account.
- If you’re using a SCSI hard disk, connect a thumb drive with the drivers for your storage device. While Windows 10 is setting up, click on the Custom Advanced Option. Using the thumb drive, use the Load Driver command to load the SCSI drive.
- Another possible cause of this error is due to BIOS incompatibility. BIOS issues can be solved by upgrading your version of your system BIOS. If you don’t know how to do this, refer to your BIOS manufacturer’s website.
Method 5 – Use A Trusted Automated Tool
If you still experience the error after doing the methods above, you might want to try a powerful and trusted automated tool to fix the job.

BigTech platforms Google and Facebook were hit with a series of antitrust lawsuits by the US federal government and states on charges they are operating monopolies and abusing their power.
Below is the status of the cases, as well as government probes of Apple and Amazon in their current states

One of the first things that everyone saw when Microsoft has unveiled Windows 11 is its Start menu. Funny enough this is what has caused most of the divide among users, some find it interesting, and some do not like it. Truth is, it is different, and it is centered in the middle instead of the lower left part of the screen.
It has been confirmed however that the Start menu can be moved to any part of the screen so if you want, you could place it on the lower left as it has always been.
Live tiles do not longer exist in the Start menu, instead, we have styled simple icons.
If you have used the cascade option in previous Windows versions then it is most likely that you will like the new Snap controls.
You can quickly snap windows side by side, or arrange them in sections on your desktop just by hovering over maximize button on the title bar.
File explorer has gone through some visual and design changes, the ribbon on top has been completely removed and replaced with a header-like feature with a slick and clean design.
The header contains a nice organized and designed single row of icons like cut, paste, copy, rename, delete, and new folder icons.
The settings app also has gone through visual and design changes. It has a new design that is very visually appealing and navigation has been simplified and more organized. Finding the right and desired setting is much faster and clearer now.
Yes, widgets are back but not like you remember them.
Instead of being all-time present at your desktop like once they used to be, now there is a button on the taskbar which brings the widget bar up that contains desired widgets. This way they are easily accessible and do not clutter desktops.
So far we have weather, news, calendar, and stocks widget but we will see how development on these goes. I expect to have community-made widgets like in old days for all of our needs.
The new Xbox app is now integrated into Windows 11, offering quick access to Xbox Game Pass games, the social parts of the Xbox network, and the Xbox store.
As widely known by now Windows 11 will require you to have a TPM 2.0 module capable CPU in order to install it.
This system requirement has caused a lot of controversies but essentially it seems that MS's goal is to protect your personal data by using this module.
The upside of course is that your data will be protected much more than in previous Windows versions, the downside, of course, will be that you will need newer hardware to run OS on it.
and that is essentially it, keep on tuned on more Windows 11 information and overall articles tied to PC and technology here at errortools.com 