Microsoft Builds A Chinese Government-Approved Version Of Windows 10

Microsoft recently created a special version of Windows 10 for China. In December, a custom Windows 10 for China was announced in partnership with a defense contractor owned by the state.

In December 2015, Microsoft entered a joint venture with CETC, making C&M the exclusive licensee of Windows 10 in China. The partnership would let C&M create custom images of Windows 10 in China for customers that will include antivirus software required by the government. C&M will also provide support, deployment services, activation and update services based on the current technologies available to Microsoft.

“We will maintain ownership of the core Windows 10 technology (in China) while working, as we’ve always done, to allow customers and partners to build components that plug into our platform,” said senior executive in the Windows and devices group Yusuf Mehdi.

Caixin (via TechInAsia) says that the new Windows version in China is known as “Windows 10 Specially-provided Edition.” The special edition removed several apps, games and services for targeting consumers and added more security and administrator control. Microsoft’s move might seem unique to people, but the company hopes that the new Windows version in China will help improve its presence in the country. 

PC World cites that according to Ralph Haupter, CEO of Microsoft’s Greater China Region, Microsoft already finished working on the initial version of Windows 10 for China. The OS was specifically designed for Chinese government agencies. Haupter did not provide the details on the changes the Microsoft introduced for Windows China, but cited that there is less focus on consumer-oriented features and apps.

CETC is one of 10 China-owned defense contractors. The company manages several research institutes and commercial subsidiaries, mostly involved in research and development associated with defense. CETC generally produces defense, dual-use electronics and technology to Chinese government agencies and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

At present, Microsoft owns a minority stake of 49 percent in C&M, while CETC controls the bigger 51 percent. The biggest search provider in China, Baidu, stated that in February 2016, Windows 10 powered only 4.5 percent of the PCs that reached 150,000 websites in the country. However, 51 percent of the usage share measured by Baidu was attributed to Windows 7. Overall, the different versions of Microsoft powered almost 94 percent of all PCs in China in February 2015.