Microsoft readies Windows 10 for the Chinese government

Microsoft has announced a new joint venture to get its new Windows 10 operating system for China's government agencies and other state-owned enterprises. Unveiled in September 2014, Windows 10 was officially rolled out to users across the globe in July.

"Today, we're pleased to share another new development in China. We're announcing a new joint venture that will license, deploy, manage and optimize Windows 10 for China's government agencies and certain state-owned enterprises, and provide ongoing support and services for these customers," notes Yusuf Mehdi, corporate vice president of Windows and Devices Group at Microsoft, in official Windows blog.

Microsoft will work in a joint venture with China Electronics Technology Group (CETC) for C&M Information Technologies that will be based in Beijing to serve Chinese government and state-owned enterprises in fields such as energy, telecommunications and transportation.

Microsoft and CETC, which is China's one of large-scale state-owned high-tech enterprise groups, announced their partnership in September. The partnership was aimed "to support the configuration, deployment and maintenance of localised Windows 10 in the computer systems of Chinese users in specialised fields".

While explaining the key roles of C&M Information Technologies, Microsoft said it will act as an exclusive licensor for Chinese government and enterprise customers of the new Windows operating system and selected antivirus software. Additionally, it will provide product activation, patch management, deployment services and product support to the consumers.

"We're pleased that work on the new joint venture is already underway. Microsoft and CETC have been working on a custom image of Windows 10 for government customers since we announced our initial agreement in September, based on the tools that we make available to organizations around the world," added Microsoft.

Microsoft's joint venture is yet to get approval in China, after which Windows 10 will be available for government purchase. The company said: "If this Windows 10 image is approved for use within the government, it will become available for government purchase and the joint organisation will begin its role selling and supporting the government in its use of Windows 10."