Microsoft aims to supply Chinese government with customized Windows 10

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), the world’s leading software developer, disclosed new details of a strategy to expand its operations in China by collaborating with its Chinese partner, China Electronics Technology Group Corp (CETC).

Microsoft said that the new venture, named C&M Information Technologies, will give them a license to deploy, manage and optimize a customized version of Windows 10 that will be used in Chinese government agencies, as well as some state-owned enterprises found in key areas such as energy, telecommunications and transportation.

Yusuf Mehdi, a vice president in Microsoft’s devices business, said in a blog post that Microsoft is looking to facilitate the use of Windows 10 in China’s public sector. In turn, Baidu gained access to default homepage and search option on Microsoft Edge, Windows 10 exclusive browser.

Tech giant Microsoft is reportedly planning to work with a Chinese company with the goal of distributing Windows 10 in China.

The deal is subject to regulatory approval in the country. On its official website, Microsoft stated: “As part of the cooperation, relevant CETC subsidiary companies will become members of the Microsoft Partner Network and sign a Microsoft Premier Support for Development agreement”. Microsoft’s flagship software is available in 190 markets around the world – but it just got a big boost in China through a government alliance.

Second, the joint venture will provide a slew of services, including product activation, patch management, deployment services and product support. Moreover, the government also placed a ban on the supply of PCs installed with Windows 8 software to government agencies amid security concerns. Microsoft’s perceived low security credibility and its close ties with the establishment in the United States make a partnership a double-edged sword at times due to allegations made by whistle-blower Edward Snowden in the past of it being extremely co-operative with United States government’s intelligence gathering community including the NSA. It will also be collecting feedback which will be used to develop updates for the localized version of Windows 10.