Despite China’s ban on the use of Windows 8 operating system in government offices, Microsoft will continue to put efforts to gain approval in China, the world’s largest software maker said on Wednesday. Microsoft also was “surprised” by China’s move.
The statement comes hours after the China Central Government Procurement Center prohibited Windows 8 operating system from running on all government offices’ purchase of new energy-efficient computers. Apparently, this move wasn’t made to ensure “computer security” as Xinhua would like us to believe.
“Microsoft has been working proactively with the Central Government Procurement Center and other government agencies through the evaluation process to ensure that our products and services meet all government procurement requirements,” Joanna Li, a Beijing-based spokeswoman for Microsoft, said. “At the same time we are working on the Windows 8 evaluation with relevant government agencies.”
Microsoft ended support to its 12-year old operating system Windows XP, and according to a report which appeared in Xinhua last month, Windows XP has a 70 percent share in the nation.
Microsoft has been encouraging users to make the switch to the newer operating system for quite a long time now. “We have been and will continue to provide Windows 7 to government customers. At the same time, we are working on the Windows 8 evaluation with relevant government agencies”.
Several technology companies in China collaborated to provide technical guidance to Windows XP users in the country even after Microsoft stopped the official support. Furthermore, China was working with local security firms to make the operating system secure.