ALBAWABA - In a bid to assert more control over their digital space and privacy, the Chinese government has decided to adopt home-grown Linux operating systems instead of upgrading to Windows 11 from Windows 10 China Government Edition.
The move is only one of many manifestations of the Chinese government’s push to reduce dependence on foreign products and services, software, hardware, media, etc. – distancing itself from American companies especially on all fronts.
The switch was initially scheduled for February 2027 but will be taking place ahead of time in late 2026 as China rushes to establish digital sovereignty, seeing Windows 11 as unreliable and insecure.
Windows, anticipating to maintain its market share, has already made Windows 11 China Home Edition, tailored to the Chinese government’s demands, being a Chinese-language-only, restricted, factory-locked version of Windows 11.
While migrating an entire country’s system is never easy, especially with a country as big as China; China is taking steps in implementing the shift in gradual phases to make it smoother and more effective.
