The One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) initiative will use Windows on the XO laptops, Microsoft said today.

The two organisations said trials of the laptops using Windows will begin in June, with OLPC porting its user interface, called 'Sugar' to Windows.

Linux will also be available as an operating system for the XOs, with Microsoft claiming its endorsement will open doors to teachers and students to use existing Windows applications.

Microsoft said it has spent over a year developing drivers for the XO laptop. Whether this deal is a shot in the arm for the OLPC remains to be seen. X