TL;DR
A passenger at Birmingham Airport reported a border-control wait-time screen showing a Windows 7 certificate revocation error, leaving travelers without wait-time information. The reader said they still got through in about 10 minutes; the device’s use of Windows 7 and an Aero-style dialog drew attention because that OS reached end of mainstream support years earlier.
What happened
A Register reader, Alan Graystone, noticed a digital signage screen at Birmingham Airport’s Border Control displaying a security certificate problem rather than passenger wait times. The onscreen dialog appeared in the older Windows Aero visual style associated with Windows 7 and earlier Vista-era themes, suggesting the device was running an out-of-date operating system. The screenshot is timestamped shortly before 07:30 on October 30. Despite the display issue, the reader reported being processed through the border in roughly 10 minutes. The article notes that Windows 7 reached end of support in 2020 and that Extended Security Updates, which temporarily prolonged support for some editions, concluded in 2023. The incident highlights a visibly dated interface and a certificate revocation message appearing on hardware used for public-facing signage at a port of entry.
Why it matters
- Outdated operating systems on public-facing devices can leave services without current security patches and support.
- A visible certificate revocation error means the device could not validate a digital certificate, reducing trust in what the display shows.
- Passengers rely on digital signage for wait-time information; when it fails, it degrades the travel experience and can cause confusion.
- Systems at security-sensitive locations are expected to be maintained; running unsupported software raises questions about maintenance practices.
Key facts
- Location: Birmingham Airport Border Control (UK).
- Observer: Register reader Alan Graystone.
- Issue shown: a security certificate revocation/error message on a wait-time display.
- Visual style: the error appeared in a Windows Aero–style dialog associated with Windows 7/Vista-era UI.
- Timestamp on the image: shortly before 07:30 on October 30 (as reported).
- Reported processing time: the reader said it took about 10 minutes to clear the border despite the display issue.
- Windows 7 reached end of mainstream support in 2020.
- Extended Security Updates (ESU) that extended Windows 7 support for some editions ended in 2023.
What to watch next
- Whether airport or border agencies issue a statement or undertake updates for affected signage (not confirmed in the source).
- If similar certificate or legacy-OS issues appear at other ports of entry or on additional public-facing systems (not confirmed in the source).
- Whether maintenance or replacement programs will be accelerated for legacy devices at security-sensitive locations (not confirmed in the source).
Quick glossary
- Security certificate: A digital credential used to verify the identity of a website or service and to enable encrypted communications between systems.
- Certificate revocation: The process by which a previously issued digital certificate is declared invalid before its scheduled expiration, often due to compromise or administrative reasons.
- Windows 7: A Microsoft desktop operating system released in 2009 that reached end of mainstream support in 2020; some extended updates were available temporarily.
- GUI (Graphical User Interface): The visual elements and design language through which users interact with software, such as windows, buttons, icons and dialogs.
Reader FAQ
Did the certificate error stop passport processing?
Not confirmed in the source; the reader reported they were processed in about 10 minutes despite the display issue.
Was the device definitely running Windows 7?
The error dialog used an Aero-style UI associated with Windows 7/Vista, suggesting it, but absolute confirmation of the OS is not provided in the source.
Is Windows 7 still supported by Microsoft?
Windows 7 reached end of mainstream support in 2020, and Extended Security Updates for eligible editions ended in 2023.
Has the airport commented or fixed the screen?
Not confirmed in the source.
OFFBEAT 2 Nothing to declare at border control except a Windows 7 certificate error The queue might move on, but the software never did Richard Speed Fri 9 Jan 2026 // 10:56 UTC BORK!BORK!BORK!…
Sources
- Nothing to declare at border control except a Windows 7 certificate error
- Windows 7-era bork hits UK border control wait-time display
- THE BORDER TARGET OPERATING MODEL
- Contact and Support Centre | FedEx United Kingdom
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