China is one of the most lucrative markets on the planet for tech companies but it’s one that plays by its own rules. Tech companies often have to make exceptions when it comes to China if they want to gain access to the potential the market offers. It won’t surprise many to learn that Microsoft created a special version of Windows 10, the latest iteration of its operating system, just for the Chinese government.
It’s relatively easy to get your hands on various Windows 10 versions that include Windows 10 Home, Windows 10 Enterprise, Windows 10 Mobile, Windows 10 Pro, etc but you won’t be able to get your hands on Windows 10 Zhuangongban.
Windows 10 Zhuangongban refers to the “Windows 10 Specially-provided Edition,” a special version of Windows 10 that Microsoft has created for the Chinese government. Speaking to Chinese magazine Caixin, Microsoft China CEO Ralph Haupter said that this was done as part of a joint venture with China’s CETC.
Haupter tells Caixin that this special edition of Windows 10 has fewer apps and services from Microsoft and features more security and management controls as per the requirements of the Chinese government. Haupter didn’t go into too many details about the changes or if the OS looks any different but he does say that this version of Windows 10 retains the ability to run any Windows-compatible program.
Filed in . Read more about Microsoft and Windows 10.