China is accelerating its efforts to reduce dependence on US technology, with state-linked agencies reportedly being instructed to remove a customised version of Windows from their computers and move to domestic operating systems based on Linux.
The move involves China's Ministry of State Security and comes as Beijing continues its broader push to replace foreign technology in sensitive government and state-linked sectors.
According to reports, some state-affiliated organisations have been told to uninstall Microsoft software and adopt operating systems developed by Chinese companies. The decision is reportedly linked to data security concerns, although no specific security vulnerabilities were identified.
The Windows version used by Chinese state agencies is different from the standard version used by consumers. Government computers use a customised version of Windows 10 developed by C&M Information Technologies, also known as CMIT.
CMIT was established in 2016 as a joint venture between Microsoft and the state-owned China Electronics Technology Group. The customised Windows system was developed to meet China's security requirements.
The modified version also allowed government users to use Chinese encryption algorithms instead of Microsoft's standard cryptographic technology.
Microsoft has said it is not aware of any security incident involving the customised product and noted that it continues to receive regular security updates.
The customised Windows 10 system was originally scheduled to be retired in February 2027. China's latest move brings forward the planned transition by several months.
The decision has reportedly caught some state agency employees by surprise and comes ahead of a planned meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
China is moving towards Linux-based operating systems
China is encouraging government agencies to adopt operating systems developed by domestic technology companies, particularly for computers handling sensitive information.
Several Chinese companies have developed alternatives to Microsoft's Windows. Kylin Software offers the Linux-based Kylin OS, while Tongxin Software Technology has developed Unity OS, which is based on Debian Linux.
The latest move is part of a wider effort by Beijing to reduce reliance on imported technology in sensitive sectors, including government institutions, military-related operations 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 companies were also instructed to remove foreign-branded computers.
The shift away from foreign technology extends beyond operating systems. Some sensitive state-linked organisations have reportedly restricted the use of Apple's iPhones.
China is also attempting to strengthen its domestic AI hardware ecosystem as access to Nvidia's most advanced AI accelerators remains restricted. Companies such as Huawei Technologies and Cambricon Technologies have become increasingly important in China's AI hardware push.
Other countries are also moving away from Windows
China is not the only country exploring alternatives to Microsoft's operating systems. France announced plans earlier this year to move government ministries from Windows to Linux.
Other European countries, including Germany, Denmark and Austria, have also taken steps towards greater use of Linux and other alternatives to Microsoft's software.
Despite the government's push for domestic alternatives, Windows remains highly dominant among Chinese consumers. StatCounter data showed that Windows accounted for 87.64% of desktop web traffic in China in July 2026.
Microsoft also continues to maintain a significant business presence in China through AI models and cloud services provided to Chinese companies, including ByteDance and Tencent. ByteDance alone is reportedly expected to spend more than $1 billion annually on such services.
The latest Windows replacement effort therefore reflects a growing divide between China's government technology strategy and its consumer technology market, as Beijing continues to prioritise domestic alternatives for sensitive operations.
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