Google ditches Windows, Employees to now use OSX or Linux only

Google is abandoning internal use of Microsoft’s Windows operating system over Apple OS X and Linux, according to a report from Financial Times.

The decision to move to another operating system was taken in January, after a series of cyber attacks on Google’s Chinese operations.

“We’re not doing any more Windows. It is a security effort,” said one Google employee.

“Many people have been moved away from [Windows] PCs, mostly towards Mac OS, following the China hacking attacks,” said another.

Employees now wanting to install Windows on their systems will require senior level clearance. “Getting a new Windows machine now requires CIO approval,” said another employee.

The sources at Financial Times also allege that the move has much to do with Google’s efforts to run the company on its own products, including its forthcoming Chrome OS. “A lot of it is an effort to run things on Google product,” the employee said. “They want to run things on Chrome.”