China Bans Windows 8 on Government Computers

China is banning the government's use of Microsoft's Windows 8 operating system, according to a notice posted on its website.

The Central Government Procurement Center is prohibiting government computers from installing Windows 8 or buying new devices with the software, Chinese news site Xinhua reports. The government posted the message announcing the change in policy late last week. The consumer Windows 8 market in China will not be affected.

Although details regarding the ban are vague, the government said it will only be purchasing energy-efficient IT products from now on, from desktop computers and laptops to tablets But the move is also said to protect computer security after Microsoft curtailed its support for Windows XP, which was largely used across the country Read more...