Google went on record this week stating that they were abandoning the Windows operating system within its offices and stipulating that employees must chose a machine running either Mac OS X or Linux. Word has it that Google will be replacing all machines running Windows within its headquarters due to the security risks the operating system imposes.

This move comes largely in response to the attack that took place on the company’s Chinese branch earlier in the year with IT leaders apparently viewing Windows as too much of a security risk to their enterprise. New employees are now only being offered Mac or Linux and any current employee wishing to continue using Windows will require ‘very senior clearance.’

At present Google’s business currently plays home to around 20,000 windows licenses which, much to Microsoft’s dismay, are now no longer likely to be renewed. Of course, the official Microsoft stance is something along the lines of Windows being just as secure as any other operating system. Google doesn’t seem to agree.