China pulls the plug on Windows 10 for government machines months ahead of schedule

China has accelerated the phase-out of Windows 10 for government computers by several months, according to a directive from the Ministry of State Security. The change brings Microsoft's customized edition of Windows 10 closer to its end, as the company had planned to retire the specialized operating system in February 2027. This decision is driven by data-security concerns, though no specific vulnerabilities have been identified.

Microsoft remains unaware of any security incidents related to the product and continues to receive regular security updates. The accelerated timeline came just weeks before President Trump's planned meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, amid ongoing tensions over technology and national security. The directive surprised some state-agency employees, though there's no direct link to the upcoming summit.

CMIT, a joint venture between Microsoft and the state-owned China Electronics Technology Group Corporation, developed the specialized Windows 10. It removed unnecessary features, gave authorities control over updates and telemetry, and supported China's encryption algorithms. However, the customized build did not gain the adoption Microsoft hoped for, with recent reviews of Chinese government computer procurement guides showing few recommendations.

China has been steadily reducing its reliance on foreign technology, introducing government purchasing rules requiring safe and reliable domestic processors and operating systems in 2023. Domestic alternatives to Windows include Kylin Software and Tongxin Software Technology, primarily based on Linux. Microsoft's presence in China has been shrinking, with at least 15 Chinese branch offices and joint ventures closing in the past five years.

Nonetheless, the company continues to operate in China, offering cloud and AI services to international businesses.