In a major shift, Huawei has announced that its new laptops will no longer use Microsoft Windows. Instead, you’ll soon see Huawei devices running HarmonyOS 5.0, the company’s operating system. This news came during Huawei’s “HarmonyOS Computer Technology and Ecosystem Communication Event” in China.
Huawei revealed that over 10,000 engineers have been working for five years to develop HarmonyOS for PCs. The result is HarmonyOS 5.0, which now forms the foundation of the new HarmonyOS PC experience. This marks a major milestone for the company as it builds its software ecosystem, free from reliance on U.S. technology.
Why Huawei is making the switch
According to recent online reports, Microsoft’s supply licence to Huawei expired in April. This means the Chinese tech company can no longer legally install or sell Windows on its laptops. Without access to Microsoft’s system, Huawei had little choice but to develop its own alternative.
The move isn’t surprising. Huawei has already seen success with HarmonyOS on its mobile devices. Expanding HarmonyOS into laptops and desktop computers seems like a logical next step. This switch also helps the company become more independent and less affected by international restrictions.
Huawei’s new HarmonyOS PC operating system has been built to support a connected and smart user experience. If you’re using other HarmonyOS-powered devices, like tablets or phones, you’ll benefit from full cross-device integration.
New features for smarter working
The company is introducing an upgraded Smart Office suite to accompany the new OS. This suite will let you collaborate more easily across different Huawei devices. You can link up your phone, tablet, or other gadgets and work smoothly between them.
One standout feature is the drag-and-drop tool. With HarmonyOS 5.0, you can move text, photos, videos, and songs between devices just by dragging them. You can copy a file from your phone and drop it straight onto your laptop without cables or cloud transfers.
AI is also a major part of this update. HarmonyOS PCs will feature built-in artificial intelligence powered by Huawei’s DeepSeek and Pangu AI’s large language models. These tools will work like Microsoft’s Copilot+ AI, offering smarter suggestions, faster searches, and a more intuitive overall experience.
Huawei has also improved security. The new system will offer stronger protections for data and devices, keeping everything safer whether you work at home or in the office.
Launch date and future plans
If you’re in China, you’ll be able to get your hands on the first HarmonyOS-powered laptops on May 19. Huawei did not mention international launch dates, so that the rollout will remain local.
This shift away from Windows is a bold move, but it shows that Huawei is serious about creating a complete software and hardware environment of its own. Whether HarmonyOS can fully replace Windows regarding features and compatibility remains to be seen, but it’s clear the company is investing heavily in its future.
New Huawei laptops will come with HarmonyOS 5.0 pre-installed, a tighter ecosystem for those already using Huawei products, and smart tools designed to help you work faster and more securely.
