China Accelerates Shift From Windows as it Turn to Linux

• China has reportedly told some state-linked bodies to remove Windows 10.

• Agencies are expected to adopt domestic Linux-based operating systems.

• The move reflects Beijing’s push to reduce reliance on US technology.

• China had used a customised government version of Windows 10.

• Similar public-sector Linux shifts are underway in parts of Europe.

China is reportedly moving faster to reduce the use of Microsoft Windows across parts of its government system, with state-linked entities being instructed to remove Windows 10 from official computers and adopt domestic alternatives.

According to a Bloomberg report, China’s Ministry of State has told some government-connected organisations to uninstall Microsoft’s operating system. The reported directive is part of Beijing’s wider effort to limit dependence on US technology, especially in systems that may handle official or sensitive information.

The decision is understood to have been driven by data-security concerns. However, the report did not identify any specific flaw or cyber incident involving the software.

The Windows 10 version used by Chinese state agencies is not the same as the consumer edition found on many personal computers. Government bodies have been using a specially customised version developed by C&M Information Technologies, or CMIT.

CMIT was established in 2016 as a joint venture between Microsoft and the state-owned China Electronics Technology Group. The company was created to produce a version of Windows 10 that would satisfy Beijing’s official security and compliance requirements.

A Microsoft spokesperson told Bloomberg that the company was not aware of any security incident affecting the product and said it continued to receive regular security updates. The spokesperson added that Microsoft had nothing more to share on the matter.

The customised Chinese government edition of Windows 10 was originally expected to remain in use until February 2027. Beijing’s reported decision means the software may now be phased out several months earlier than planned.

The China-specific version included changes designed for official use. Among other adjustments, it allowed government users to rely on Chinese encryption algorithms rather than Microsoft’s standard cryptographic systems.

The latest move fits into a broader campaign by Beijing to replace foreign technology with domestic alternatives in strategic areas. Chinese authorities have increasingly encouraged state agencies and state-linked organisations to adopt local software, particularly for tasks involving sensitive data.

Domestic operating-system developers are expected to benefit from the shift. Companies such as Kylin Software and Tongxin Software Technology have developed Chinese alternatives to Windows for desktop computers.

Kylin Software offers Kylin OS, a Linux-based operating system, while Tongxin has developed Unity OS, which is based on Debian, another Linux distribution. These platforms are among the local systems being promoted as replacements for Microsoft software in official settings.

China’s push to reduce foreign technology in government offices is not new. In 2019, Beijing began a three-year programme to replace foreign-made personal computers used in government departments. In 2022, central agencies and state-owned companies were told to remove foreign-branded computers from their systems.

The shift has also extended beyond desktop operating systems. Some sensitive state-affiliated organisations have reportedly restricted or banned the use of Apple’s iPhones. In artificial-intelligence hardware, China has increasingly turned to domestic suppliers such as Huawei Technologies and Cambricon Technologies, particularly as access to Nvidia’s most advanced chips remains limited.

The Windows phase-out therefore reflects a larger strategy of technological self-reliance. Beijing is trying to ensure that core public-sector infrastructure, from operating systems to hardware and AI accelerators, is less exposed to foreign suppliers and geopolitical pressure.

China is not alone in reassessing its reliance on Microsoft products. Several governments have explored or begun shifts toward Linux and other open-source systems, often citing digital sovereignty, cost control and security considerations.

In April this year, France announced plans to move all government ministries from Windows to Linux. Other European countries, including Germany, Denmark and Austria, have also taken steps to reduce dependence on Microsoft systems in parts of their public administrations.

Despite the state-sector shift, Windows remains deeply entrenched in China’s broader desktop market. StatCounter data showed that Windows accounted for 87.64% of Chinese desktop web traffic in July 2026, indicating that Microsoft’s operating system still dominates among consumers and many businesses.

Microsoft also continues to have a sizeable business in China beyond Windows. The company sells artificial-intelligence models and cloud services to major Chinese clients, including ByteDance and Tencent.

ByteDance alone is expected to spend more than USD 1 billion annually on Microsoft services, according to the report. That suggests China’s public-sector replacement of Windows does not necessarily mean a complete commercial break with Microsoft.

Instead, the development points to a more selective separation. Beijing appears focused on removing foreign technology from sensitive government systems while continuing to allow business relationships in less strategic or commercially useful areas.

For Microsoft, the impact may therefore be mixed. Losing ground in official Chinese systems could reduce its influence in a politically important segment. But its large consumer presence and cloud-related business with Chinese technology companies remain significant.

For China, the challenge will be execution. Replacing Windows across government-linked systems requires ensuring that domestic operating systems are stable, secure and compatible with existing software workflows. Linux-based alternatives can provide more local control, but migration at scale often involves training, application redesign and technical support.

The reported order marks another step in Beijing’s long-running effort to reshape its technology stack around domestic suppliers. If successful, the move could further strengthen China’s local software ecosystem while narrowing the role of US technology in sensitive state operations.