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China BANS Windows 8, blames Windows XP

Windows XP in China

Chinese government reacts to end of Windows XP support by banning installations of Windows 8

China has banned Windows 8 on all government computers, citing energy saving and computer security as reasons for blocking the operating system.

The Central Government Procurement Centre announced the ban on installing Windows 8 on all government computers in a notice on the use of energy-saving technology.

Xinhua, the official Chinese news agency, said the ban was a response to Microsoft ditching support for Windows XP, which is used on 26 per cent of computers worldwide. It added that the ban would ensure computer security.

Neither the government nor Xinhua explained how not installing Windows 8 would help energy saving or improve computer security.

The news agency went on to explain that it wanted to “avoid the awkwardness of being confronted with a similar situation again in future if it continues to purchase computers with [a] foreign OS”.

Like many large organisations, the Chinese government has been hit hard by Microsoft ending support for Windows XP. In late April it was reported that the China was seeking a deal with Microsoft to extend XP support on government computers.

China is already developing its own Linux-based operating system, having already launched a state-developed mobile operating system earlier this year.

Microsoft has faced widespread criticism for ending Windows XP support. The company has offered extended support to enterprise customers, with both the Netherlands and UK governments signing multi-million pound deals to retain Microsoft’s services.

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