China removes Microsoft Windows from government agencies, now uses domestic operating system

 China removes Microsoft Windows from government agencies, now uses domestic operating system

China has moved ahead of schedule in removing a special version of Microsoft's Windows 10 used by government agencies. The move is in line with China's policy of reducing dependence on foreign technology and prioritizing the security of sensitive government data.

According to a Bloomberg report, China's Ministry of State Security has instructed some government and government-related organizations to remove Microsoft's software from their computers. This version was specifically designed to meet the security needs of Chinese government agencies.

Earlier, the software was planned to be removed by February 2027. However, with the new directive, the deadline has been moved forward a few months. It is said that this directive came earlier than expected for some government employees and officials of related organizations.

Removing Windows with a focus on data security

The main reason for China's latest directive to remove Windows is said to be data security concerns. However, Chinese officials did not provide detailed information about what kind of security vulnerability was found in Windows or any specific security incident.

Microsoft said it was not aware of any security incidents related to its products. The company said it regularly provides security updates to the software.

Priority for Chinese operating systems

China has been increasing the use of domestic technology in government, military and sensitive data management organizations in recent years. As part of this drive to reduce dependence on foreign hardware and software, Chinese companies are developing their own operating systems as an alternative to Windows.

Chinese companies including Kylin Software and Tongxin Software Technology have put forward their operating systems as an alternative to Windows. Shares of Chinese software companies have also risen after the latest decision. The share prices of Hunan Kylinsec Technology and Archermind Technology rose by 20 percent in daily trading, while shares of China National Software and Services rose by 10 percent, the report said.

Microsoft's declining government access in China

China released the software, which was specially designed for government purposes, in 2017. The project was a joint initiative between Microsoft and state-owned China Electronics Technology Group Corporation, which aims to meet Chinese government security standards.

But in recent years, as China has prioritized domestic software, Microsoft’s access to government systems has gradually weakened. According to Reuters, five of China’s six government computer system procurement guides published between late 2023 and mid-2026 did not recommend Microsoft products.

Meanwhile, the US-China technology competition and geopolitical tensions have also put pressure on Microsoft’s business in China. Reuters reported that the company has closed at least 15 offices, branches or joint ventures in China in the past five years.

The latest move to remove Windows suggests that China is trying to accelerate the process of moving towards domestic operating systems by reducing its reliance on foreign software in government systems.