--- title: "China unexpectedly accelerated the phase-out of Windows in government agencies: Beijing ordered the removal of a modified version of Windows 10" description: "China unexpectedly accelerated the phase-out of a modified version of Windows 10, created by a joint venture between Microsoft and CETC, in government agencies. The decision was made against a backdrop of growing wariness toward American technologies." date: 2026-08-19T23:06:58.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/china-accelerates-phase-out-of-windows-10-in-government-agencies tags: [china, microsoft, windows-10, cybersecurity, tech-sovereignty, cmit, cetc] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # China unexpectedly accelerated the phase-out of Windows in government agencies: Beijing ordered the removal of a modified version of Windows 10 ![Microsoft logo with Chinese text 微软 outside a company office — Beijing orders government agencies to remove modified Windows 10](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/20/kitay-uskoril-otkaz-gosuchrezhdeniy-ot-windows-10/kitay-uskoril-otkaz-gosuchrezhdeniy-ot-windows-10-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - The Ministry of State Security of the PRC instructed a number of state organizations to remove modified versions of Windows 10. - The special version of Windows 10 was developed by the joint venture CMIT (Microsoft and CETC), established in 2016. - The original plan called for support to end in February 2027, but the timeline was accelerated by several months. - Microsoft denies any security incidents, while Beijing cites concerns over data protection. - The decision fits within a broader campaign to transition to domestic OS and ban foreign devices in government bodies. According to Bloomberg, published on August 18, 2026, China is moving toward a complete phase-out of a modified version of the Microsoft Windows operating system that was developed specifically for government agencies. The Ministry of State Security of the PRC, according to informed sources, has instructed a number of state organizations to remove adapted versions of Windows 10 from their computer systems. This step marks a new stage in Beijing's long-running campaign to gradually reduce its dependence on foreign, and above all American, technologies. ### The special version of Windows and its creator The version in question is Windows 10, developed by C&M Information Technology Company (CMIT). CMIT is a joint venture between Microsoft and the state-owned China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC), established in 2016. Its task was to adapt Windows 10 to the strict security requirements set by the Chinese government. It was precisely this modified system that was used in government bodies where the use of standard foreign solutions is restricted. ### Accelerated timelines and the diplomatic context Under the original plan, CMIT was to officially end support for this version of the software in February 2027 as part of the government's campaign to limit the use of foreign technologies. However, a new order to accelerate the timeline, issued just weeks before the scheduled meeting between US President Donald Trump and PRC Chairman Xi Jinping, caught many civil servants off guard. According to sources, the decision hastened the "decline" of the operating system by several months compared to the original schedule, reflecting Beijing's growing wariness toward key American technologies. ### Contradictory data The reasons for accelerating the phase-out are presented differently in third-party accounts. Chinese sources cite "concerns over data security," but do not disclose which specific potential vulnerabilities are troubling officials. At the same time, a Microsoft representative stated: "Microsoft has not recorded any security incidents related to this product. The software continues to receive regular security updates. We have no additional comments at this time." Thus, one side points to security risks, while the other directly denies the existence of incidents, creating a discrepancy in the explanation of the decision's motives. Neither the State Council Information Office of China nor CMIT had responded to the incident at the time of publication. ### Transition to domestic OS and the broader context China has long promoted the use of domestic technologies in areas involving the processing of confidential data, including the military sector and state-owned enterprises. Several companies, including Kylin Software and Tongxin Software Technology, have developed their own operating systems to replace Windows. Previously, Beijing instructed central government agencies to switch to domestically branded computers and banned the use of Apple's iPhone at a number of key state enterprises. Thus, the removal of the modified Windows 10 fits within a systematic policy of technological sovereignty, rather than being a one-off decision. ## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification - [China unexpectedly accelerated plans to phase out Windows in government agencies.](https://www.vietnam.vn/ru/trung-quoc-bat-ngo-day-nhanh-ke-hoach-loai-bo-windows-tai-co-quan-nha-nuoc) - Подтверждает ускорение отказа, роль CMIT, первоначальный срок февраль 2027 и контекст встречи лидеров; официальных комментариев китайских ведомств нет. - [China bans government agencies from using Windows on security grounds](https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/8891857) - Подтверждает мотив безопасности и запрет для госучреждений; детали по уязвимостям не раскрыты. ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: What exactly has been ordered to be removed in Chinese government agencies? **A:** According to Bloomberg, a number of state organizations have been instructed to remove modified versions of Windows 10 developed by the joint venture CMIT for state needs. ### Q: Who created this version of Windows 10? **A:** The version was developed by C&M Information Technology Company (CMIT) — a joint venture between Microsoft and the state-owned China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC), established in 2016. ### Q: When was support originally scheduled to end? **A:** Initially, CMIT planned to officially end support for this version in February 2027, but the timeline was accelerated by several months. ### Q: Does Microsoft acknowledge any security problems? **A:** No. A Microsoft representative stated that the company has not recorded any security incidents related to this product, and that the software continues to receive regular updates. ### Q: Is this related to the transition to domestic OS? **A:** Yes. The decision fits within a broader Beijing campaign to use domestic technologies, including OS from Kylin Software and Tongxin Software Technology, as well as the ban on foreign devices in a number of government bodies.