Microsoft built a special government-approved version of Windows 10 for China

The Next Web ^ | March 28, 2016 | by AMANDA CONNOLLY

[Swordmaker]

Being notoriously strict about censorship, China makes it difficult for companies to launch their products there. It’s a major stumbling block for businesses that want to take a stab at the largest market in the world.

Often, companies will have to bend to suit the requirements of China’s government and that’s exactly what Microsoft has done. Ralph Haupter, Microsoft’s CEO for the Greater China region has revealed that the company’s made a Chinese government-approved version of Windows 10.

Partnering with a state-run technology and defense company, CETC, Microsoft created its specialized version of Windows, officially called Zhuangongban, to comply with governmental standards.

What does that entail? Well, Microsoft isn’t giving away much. All the company has shared is that it doesn’t have all the same consumer apps and services that come with Windows 10 elsewhere and that it’s equipped with additional device management and security controls.

Whether those controls will allow the users to control or at least see the level of surveillance they’re being subjected to or not isn’t confirmed. But it seems more likely, given the partnership and government backing, that the security features will allow the Chinese government to keep a close eye on users.

While it’s good for Microsoft’s business to get its foot in the door and be favored by the government in China for its compliance, it doesn’t say much for the fight for internet freedom around the globe.

[Swordmaker]

Ping for your Windows list

[Pearls Before Swine]

Many corporations are proud to “partner” with the Chinese government.

[DBrow]

Naturally Microsoft will reject the USA government’s requests for special monitoring, backdoors and controls built into Win 10.

[KC_Lion]

[smokingfrog]

[Secret Agent Man]

Nope they have been doing that for fedgov since windows nt.

[Scutter]

For dedcades the Chinese just used pirated copies of Windows and other software. They use the same strong-arm techniques on companies providing online services too.

[upsdriver]

A good example of our government’s version of “free trade”.

[Lumper20]

Microsoft exporting/actually building an operating system for China is treasonous. In no way should any US high tech firm build an operating system that is specially developed for China’s Gov. The Chinese overseeing this obviously learned all they needed to know to build one on their own now.

[DBrow]

“Nope they have been doing that for fedgov since windows nt.”

What? I am shocked!

[DBrow]

I wonder if the Win10ch has features to keep NSA out of the system.

[GingisK]

The difference from that one and the one deployed elsewhere is registry settings.

[AuntB]

Know who one of Microsofts biggest lobbyist is?

Americans for Tax Reforms very own Grover Norquist.

Does ANY ONE still believe those contributions we all sent to ATR way back when had anything to do with tax breaks for you and I??

Not just Microsoft, but GE, Fannie Mae......

This guy probably has more to do with picking our candidates than any GOP superstar in D.C. When anything is wrong on the right...pushing amnesty, building a mosque at Ground Zero, TPP and on and on.... somewhere in the background is Grover.

http://www.centerforsecuritypolicy.org/2011/10/04/wolf-grover-norquists-relationships-should-give-people-pause/

[BenLurkin]

This just in......Hugo Chavez is still dead.

[fella]

A d yet all the iphone idolaters say iphone has not made the same deal.

[dayglored]

Windows 10 Special Chinese Edition... PING!

You can find all the Windows Ping list threads with FR search: just search on keyword "windowspinglist".

Thanks to Swordmaker for the ping!!

[dayglored]

> The difference from that one and the one deployed elsewhere is registry settings.

Extremely unlikely that's the extent of the difference, since the Registry is easy to change.

[martin_fierro]

Here's some Forbidden Wallpaper:

[Lumper20]

Good question.