China announced that it will forbid the use of Microsoft's Windows 8 operating system in new government computers, a move aimed at ensuring security after the coming shutdown of Windows XP.

All desktops, laptops and tablet PCs purchased by central state organs must use an OS other than Windows 8, according to an online statement by the Central Government Procurement Center.

The measure targets only computers used by government offices. The personal computer market is expected to be unaffected.