As more countries distance themselves from American software, even operating systems are getting hit. Such is the case in China, where (according to this Bloomberg report) its special version of Windows 10, developed in a joint venture between Microsoft and the state-owned China Electronics Technology Group, is being dropped in favor of two Chinese Linux distributions, KylinOS and UOS.

The version of Windows 10 in use was created to comply with specific Chinese government requirements, such as localized activation/updates, removal of several consumer services, and support for Chinese cryptographic standards.

At the moment, it is unclear which distribution will replace the Chinese version of Windows 10, but it will most certainly be a distro designed and built in China, which limits it to KylinOS or UOS. Both KylinOS and UOS are designed specifically for government usage. Although these two operating systems are designed in China, specifically for its government, there are still the issues of testing, device drivers, file format compatibility, and staff training.

It is interesting to note that as soon as the announcement was made, the stock prices of Chinese Linux suppliers, Kylin Software and Tongxin Software Technology (aka UnionTech), immediately jumped, making it easy to foresee that either KylinOS or UOS will be one of the two major players.

The move is not government-wide, will only apply to certain organizations, and is planned as a gradual, phased shift to make it smooth.