China accelerates Windows 10 removal

China's Ministry of State Security has directed certain state-linked entities to uninstall a customized version of Microsoft's Windows 10, developed by C&M Information Technologies (CMIT), a joint venture between Microsoft and China Electronics Technology Group Corporation. The directive accelerates the planned retirement of this software from February 2027 to an earlier date, reportedly by several months, citing data security concerns. This move is part of China's broader campaign to reduce reliance on foreign technology, especially in sensitive sectors. The accelerated timeline comes just weeks before a planned meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Microsoft stated it is not aware of any security incident affecting the product. Chinese software stocks, including Hunan Kylinsec Technology, Archermind Technology, and China National Software & Service, rose sharply following the news. China has been promoting domestic operating systems from companies like Kylin Software and Tongxin Software Technology, and has ordered central government agencies to replace foreign-branded PCs and banned Apple iPhones in some sensitive entities. The country is also increasing reliance on domestic chip makers like Huawei and Cambricon Technologies due to restricted access to Nvidia's AI accelerators.