China accelerates plan to remove Microsoft Windows from state users

China is rapidly phasing out Microsoft's Windows operating system from its state-linked entities, accelerating a plan to reduce reliance on foreign technology. The Ministry of State Security has instructed some government agencies to uninstall a customized version of Windows 10, moving the retirement of the software up by several months.

This accelerated schedule underscores Beijing's growing unease with U.S. technology, particularly in the wake of data security concerns. The specific version of Windows 10 affected is developed by C&M Information Technologies Co., a joint venture between Microsoft and China Electronics Technology Group Corp. This venture was established in 2016 to ensure Windows 10 compliance with Chinese security requirements.

The move comes as a surprise to some state employees, especially as it precedes a planned meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. While Microsoft stated it is unaware of any security incidents affecting the product and that it continues to receive security updates, Chinese officials have not elaborated on their specific data security worries.

China has been actively promoting domestic technologies in sensitive sectors, including its military and state-owned firms. Companies like Kylin Software Co. and Tongxin Software Technology Co. have developed their own operating systems to replace Windows. This initiative extends to hardware, with bans on foreign-branded PCs and iPhones in some sensitive entities, and a push for domestic chip manufacturers like Huawei and Cambricon to counter reliance on U.S. firms like Nvidia.

“

Microsoft is not aware of a security incident affecting this product, which continues to receive regular security updates.