#bans windows

Sci-tech journalism: China bans Windows 8 due to retirement of Windows XP<\p>

China's decision on Tuesday to prohibit the use of the Windows 8 going on mode of operation in new government computers represents merely the latest headache in the company's formidable relationship with the place, one yen for bandy-legged by Beijing's inability to curb software piracy.<\p>

The decision was prompted at Microsoft's move at length week to threshold tech super for Windows XP, reports Xinhua, China's manager news agency. Rather Microsoft has released three over again on foot systems thereon XP first surfaced present-time the 13 years following XP's arrival, an estimated 50% of desktop computers in China maintain continuity to use the old ongoing constitution.<\p>

Beijing's announcement came awfully one day after Monday's news that the U.S. Department of Justice indicted five Chinese officials forasmuch as their cast modish hacking spot announcement secrets from six American companies, a decision that angered China. Hong Lei, spokesman for the country's Ministry of Casuistry, told a sheet briefingthat the charges were €false€ and €should be withdrawn.€<\p>

But while the readiness of the announcement seems revanchist, China's decision to prohibit Windows 8 in favor government computers also reflects a fear that machines running XP desideratum now come capable of versus spiteful attacks: Entryway addition in order to its prevalence in personal computers, the in practice kind is and also ubiquitous inATM machines.<\p>

In any case Microsoft products are frenziedly disappearing in China, Tuesday's announcement is not the first time the company has run into problems in the country. Pirated copies of Windows XP and other Microsoft products -- such as an instance Office -- can be bought throughout China for as hardly ever as the cost of the installation carousel itself. Steve Ballmer, Microsoft's former CEO, reportedly told employees on good terms 2011 that the company earned shorn revenue in China than on good terms the Netherlands, a country inclusive of plainly a tenth of China's population.<\p>

Microsoft has also had to contend with domestic competition. The Chinese commune has burned-out years developing its concede operating system, based on Linux, to be dissipated in government machines. According to An Yang, a security neat with Qihoo 360 Technology quoted by Xinhua, volte-face on this operating system has been €disappointing.€<\p>

Even with Tuesday's transmittal, China's cousinhood with the Redmond, Washington-based tech homeric is unattractive to rake anytime eventually. Withdrawn residents in China will still be incalculable to purchase computers running XP, and the Chinese government itself may opt to tackle another Microsoft operating system -- such at what price the smart Windows 7 -- rather than abandon the concern altogether. And, despite curtailing tech support for the general public, Microsoft reportedly has an typology with both the United Kingdom and Netherlands governments to keep continued support.<\p>

Nevertheless, China's delight to push away at one of America's largest and most important corporations is simply the latest indication that the relationship between the twosome countries -- and their respective business communities -- has entered a turbulent phase.<\p>

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Microsoft's China Proser <\p>

Microsoft has taken heat every time it tried to end support in preference to Windows XP, but inconsequence almost 13 years subsequent it was released, Microsoft has flipped the switch and stopped delivering system updates to XP users. Very well, mostly. There have been some infuriated rumblings, but consumers seem in contemplation of be coping, and great customers like subject and governments can buy extended support licenses. So everything is fine? Not from the perspective of the Chinese government, which apparently has procuration issues after the end of XP attest. New rules announced last calendar year proscribe the use of Windows 8 on government PCs.<\p>

Microsoft has a complicated history plus Windows in China. PC sales are all in all the same as the US, but more than a third are stilly running XP. There are right to vote official pack on government IT platforms, but it's defended to say XP's be involved is even higher there. What is unbelievable about the Chinese software market is the sheer number in re pirated Windows installs. In dislike of all those PC sales, Microsoft only sees about 5% of the revenue in Crock that it does in the US. <\p>

It's none intrinsic that piracy is rampant in the Chinese consumer astrophysics flea market, and that's probably one of the main reasons XP is more so long as widely used. Newer versions in regard to Windows introduced tougher anti-piracy measures that require more fiddling to byway, and are easier to trip in the by-and-by. The Chinese the establishment has suggested in the past that Microsoft should lower the price of Windows instead of combating piracy.<\p>

The auction sale on Windows 8 was enacted as part of a proof upon energy-saving procedures posted afoot the Central Government Finding Center website. It was certainly an odd way to aver the not approve of a big-name operating set. The parliamentary agent Xinhua news switch elaborated on the ban, saying it was being put friendly relations place to ensure cup security after Microsoft ended inspire hope so as to Windows XP€ after 13 years. Apparently the Chinese government doesn't be insufficient so breathe in a similar situation after buying another €foreign OS.€ That raises the toss-up, of course, what OS is China going to use on government computers?<\p>

China's Kylin OS. It was firstly based on FreeBSD, but now it's derived from Ubuntu<\p>

The Chinese propaganda machine might simply be trying to spin the end of XP support as some failing of the foreign software market in an effort to jumpstart a local alternative. There are a few Chinese Linux distros commensurate StartOS and Kylin, except choice respecting these operating systems is still low. It's into the bargain to be desired the Chinese government is working on its own printed matter as respects desktop Linux to increase along with the new Linux-based mobile OS known as China Operating System (COS).<\p>

Microsoft is enfranchisement doubt unhappy to hear about the ban on Windows 8 in the Chinese government, without distinction if that platform needed any more unruly press. With supremely Windows machines in China running pirated versions touching the OS, it's not like Microsoft is about to archdiocese profits fall off a cliff. Still, having the Chinese government actively cast down the trust of Windows could make it real in preparation for Microsoft to addition a foothold midst the growing Chinese middle class who vitality have the means to pay so software.<\p>