China is taking further steps to reduce its reliance on Windows, with government officials reportedly instructing state agencies to remove Windows 10 from their computers as Beijing seeks to limit dependence on US technology. Government bodies are expected to transition to domestically developed Linux-based alternatives instead.
According to a Bloomberg report, China’s Ministry of State Security has informed some state-linked organisations that Microsoft’s software should be uninstalled. The move is reportedly linked to data security concerns, although authorities have not identified any specific vulnerabilities.
It is worth noting that Chinese government agencies do not use the standard version of Windows 10 found on most personal computers. Instead, they use a customised edition developed by C&M Information Technologies, or CMIT. The company was established in 2016 as a joint venture between Microsoft and state-owned China Electronics Technology Group, with the objective of ensuring that Windows 10 met Beijing’s security requirements.
“Microsoft is not aware of a security incident affecting this product, which continues to receive regular security updates,” a Microsoft spokesperson told Bloomberg. “We have nothing further to share.”
The customised Windows 10 version was reportedly scheduled to be phased out in February 2027. However, China has now decided to retire it several months earlier than planned. Among its modifications, the system allowed government users to employ Chinese encryption algorithms instead of Microsoft’s standard cryptographic technology.
The decision, which comes weeks before US President Donald Trump is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, reportedly came as a surprise to some employees at state agencies.
CHINA IS SHIFTING TO LINUX, BUT IT IS NOT ALONE
The report said China is encouraging government organisations to adopt operating systems developed by domestic companies, particularly for systems handling sensitive information.
Chinese firms such as Kylin Software and Tongxin Software Technology have developed domestic alternatives to Windows. Kylin Software offers the Linux-based Kylin OS, while Tongxin has developed Unity OS, which is based on Debian, another Linux distribution.
The latest move is part of Beijing’s broader campaign to replace imported technology in sensitive areas, including government institutions, the military and state-owned companies.
China began a three-year programme in 2019 to replace foreign computers in government offices. In 2022, central government agencies and state-owned enterprises were also instructed to phase out foreign-branded computers.
Some sensitive state-linked organisations have also prohibited the use of Apple iPhones. In the AI hardware sector, China has increasingly turned towards domestic companies such as Huawei Technologies and Cambricon Technologies as access to Nvidia’s most advanced processors remains restricted.
China is not the only country seeking to reduce its dependence on Windows. France announced in April that it planned to migrate government ministries from Windows to Linux. Germany, Denmark and Austria have also taken steps towards reducing their reliance on Microsoft systems.
Despite these developments, Windows continues to dominate China’s consumer market. According to StatCounter data, Windows accounted for 87.64% of desktop web traffic in China in July 2026.
Microsoft also maintains a significant business presence in China through its AI models and cloud services, which are used by companies including ByteDance and Tencent. ByteDance alone is reportedly expected to spend more than $1 billion annually on these services.
