Windows 11 Start menu makes unscheduled stop in Saint Moritz

Windows 11 takes over Saint Moritz

A digital information display at the Saint Moritz railway station in Switzerland failed this week, exposing a Windows 11 desktop to commuters. The screen normally shows advertisements and passenger data for the Rhätische Bahn network. Instead, travelers in the waiting room saw the standard German-language interface of Microsoft’s latest operating system.

The glitch reveals that the station’s digital signage runs on a standard user account labeled Tourist Info. The interface shows several active applications, including the VLC media player and the Microsoft Edge browser. While the system appears modern, the taskbar confirms that the machine currently lacks an active internet connection.

System administrators for the Swiss transport company appear to prefer third-party software for media playback. The visible desktop shows that VLC handles the station’s slideshows and video content. This choice bypasses the native media tools built into Windows 11, though it did not prevent the operating system from revealing its underlying interface to the public.

Local signage relies on VLC

The exposed desktop provides a rare look at the software stack powering Swiss rail communications. The "Tourist Info" user profile manages a series of automated tasks, including video loops that highlight local travel destinations. Despite the high-end nature of the Saint Moritz resort, the technical backend relies on common consumer software.

Windows 11 includes its own video playback capabilities, but VLC remains a standard for digital signage due to its stability and codec support. The open-source player is visible in the taskbar alongside a notification for pending system updates. These updates suggest the hardware is relatively current, even if the kiosk mode failed to stay active.

The Microsoft Edge browser is also pinned to the taskbar, though it remains unused in the current state. A "no internet" icon sits in the system tray, indicating the machine is currently isolated from the broader network. This isolation might explain why the system has not yet processed the Windows 11 updates waiting in the queue.

• Operating System: Windows 11 Pro
• Primary Media Tool: VLC Media Player
• User Account: Tourist Info
• Language: German
• Network Status: Offline

The Rhätische Bahn goes digital

The failed screen usually promotes the services of the Rhätische Bahn, a major Swiss transport provider. One specific image visible behind the Start Menu shows the panoramic coaches of the Bernina Express. This famous rail line connects Saint Moritz to Tirano in Italy, crossing the Alps at high altitudes.

The Bernina Express is a centerpiece of Swiss tourism and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It reaches an elevation of 2,253 meters above sea level at the Ospizio Bernina station. Maintaining digital infrastructure at these altitudes requires hardware that can handle temperature fluctuations and constant operation.

Digital signage across the Rhätische Bahn network provides real-time updates on weather and track conditions. When these screens fail, they often revert to the underlying OS rather than a "safe" error screen. In this case, the Saint Moritz station waiting room became an accidental showcase for Microsoft’s UI design.

Technical history in the Alps

Saint Moritz has a long history of adopting new technology before other regions in Europe. The Kulm Hotel in Saint Moritz became the first location in Switzerland to install electric lights in 1878. This early adoption set a precedent for the town’s reputation as a luxury destination with modern amenities.

The current use of Windows 11 for railway signage follows this tradition of using contemporary tools. Many transit systems globally still rely on Windows XP or Windows 7 for their digital displays. The Rhätische Bahn has opted for a much newer software environment, even if it is currently misconfigured.

The town serves as a primary hub for the Engadin region, supporting heavy tourist traffic during the winter ski season. Reliable signage is critical for directing passengers to various Alpine resorts. When the software fails, it highlights the transition from physical posters to complex, networked computer systems.

Public screens need better software

The "Bork" phenomenon — where public screens display system errors — remains a common issue for the digital signage industry. Most systems use "kiosk mode" to prevent the Start Menu or desktop icons from appearing to the public. The Saint Moritz failure suggests a breakdown in the shell application that usually hides the Windows environment.

Standard consumer versions of Windows 11 often include background processes that can interrupt full-screen applications. Update notifications, low-disk-space warnings, or peripheral connection alerts can all force the Start Menu to the foreground. Professional signage software typically disables these features to ensure the intended content remains visible.

The Rhätische Bahn manages a complex network of stations that require synchronized data. Using a standard Windows 11 build allows for easy remote management, but it increases the risk of public-facing glitches. For now, commuters in Saint Moritz have a better view of the Windows taskbar than the departure times for the next train to Italy.

• Location: Saint Moritz Station Waiting Room
• Region: Graubünden, Switzerland
• Railway Operator: Rhätische Bahn (RhB)
• Key Route: Bernina Express to Tirano
• Historical Milestone: First electric lights in Switzerland (1878)

The station at Saint Moritz remains a vital link for the Glacier Express and the Bernina Express. These trains move thousands of passengers daily through some of the most challenging terrain in Europe. While the trains themselves are masterpieces of engineering, the digital displays in the station are clearly still prone to the same bugs as a home office PC.

Microsoft has not commented on the specific failure at the station. The Rhätische Bahn will likely need to reset the terminal or push a software patch to hide the Windows 11 interface. Until then, the "Tourist Info" account remains the most visible traveler in the waiting room.