Huawei is moving full speed ahead with its ambitions to build a self-reliant software ecosystem, as it officially begins replacing Microsoft Windows with its own HarmonyOS on future laptops. In a decisive move driven by geopolitical restrictions and a broader shift in tech sovereignty, the Chinese tech giant is now targeting over one billion devices running its homegrown operating system, known as HarmonyOS Next.
Originally launched in 2019 after years of development, HarmonyOS—called Hongmeng in China—was Huawei’s strategic response to being locked out of Google’s Android ecosystem due to U.S. trade restrictions. The operating system first made its debut on smart TVs before transitioning to smartphones by 2021. As of late 2024, Huawei had reported over 900 million devices powered by HarmonyOS, and it now appears well on track to surpass the one-billion-user milestone in 2025.
Huawei’s growing dominance in China’s mobile market has laid a strong foundation for the expansion of HarmonyOS. Recently, Huawei overtook Apple in smartphone market share in China, claiming 19% of the market compared to Apple’s 17%. This momentum has provided the company with the confidence and user base to expand HarmonyOS beyond mobile devices into laptops, tablets, wearables, and smart home technology.
A pivotal catalyst for this transition came in March 2025, when Huawei’s license to use Microsoft Windows expired. Given the ongoing impact of U.S. sanctions, the company was unable to renew its license. Instead of seeking third-party alternatives, Huawei is taking a bold step to make HarmonyOS its default and exclusive operating system on all future PCs.
At the heart of this new chapter is HarmonyOS 5, also referred to as HarmonyOS Next—a fully in-house OS that no longer relies on Android’s open-source architecture. Huawei recently unveiled a prototype laptop powered by HarmonyOS Next, signaling a major shift in the company’s hardware-software integration strategy. The official launch of this HarmonyOS-powered PC is expected later in May.
HarmonyOS Next supports major productivity suites like WPS Office, as well as enterprise applications including DingTalk, making it a functional replacement for Windows for both consumers and business users. The company also plans to support thousands of existing HarmonyOS mobile apps on the new platform, offering users a consistent experience across devices and bridging the gap between mobile and desktop computing.
This development positions HarmonyOS as one of the most significant operating system alternatives to Windows in the current global landscape—especially for regions and enterprises where access to Microsoft products is restricted. If widely adopted, it could redefine how operating systems are deployed in geopolitically sensitive markets.
However, the journey may not be without options for users who prefer traditional environments. As long as Huawei continues to use AMD or Intel processors in its laptops, there remains a possibility for users to dual-boot Windows or explore Linux-based distributions, providing flexibility for global consumers.
Huawei’s decision to push HarmonyOS as a universal OS across all its devices signals a growing trend of national tech autonomy, particularly in countries facing restrictions in global supply chains. With the HarmonyOS ecosystem expanding rapidly and its integration becoming tighter across devices, Huawei is positioning itself as a serious contender in the global software market—well beyond the confines of smartphones.
