Your PC, your choice: how to get a refund for pre-installed Microsoft Windows OS
“You should not have to pay for software you don't want.”
- Refund4Freedom urges PC buyers to seek refunds for unwanted pre-installed Windows licenses.
- The campaign says users should photograph the contract screen and contact the manufacturer before erasing storage.
- The guidance mainly targets Italian users, and refund rules vary by country, maker, and seller.
Key Takeaways by nexos.ai, reviewed by Cybernews staff.
A campaign is encouraging users to seek a refund for buying a PC that comes with a pre-installed Windows operating system.
It’s no surprise that most new computers come with pre-installed Microsoft Windows.
While this has been the case for ages, some users have found it quite limiting if they don’t want their device to run on Windows.
The Italian Linux Society, a non-profit organization created to promote Linux and digital freedom, and the Free Software Foundation Europe, an organization that supports the free software movement, have started a campaign called Refund4Freedom.
Their website points out that computers come with pre-installed operating systems, often Microsoft Windows 11, and thus lack the ability to choose their own operating system.
“Consumers should be able to buy laptops without any specific operating system, and should not have to pay the license price if they don't want to,” stated Refund4Freedom.
Since it isn’t easy to buy a laptop without an operating system, the site includes steps for requesting a refund from manufacturers and vendors.
How to request a refund for an unwanted operating system?
“You should not have to pay for software you don't want,” stated the campaign.
Users are first advised to start their PC and take pictures of the contract screen showing the reimbursement section.
The website also notes that users shouldn’t format or erase their computer storage.
After this, users should contact the device’s manufacturer about the refund. If they don't agree to issue one, users can also fill out a refund form found on the website.
What’s important to note is that the website and form seem to be designed with Italian users in mind, so users from other countries should check whether something similar is available in their country.
The campaign also notes that manufacturers and vendors have different refund policies.
Refund4Freedom also has a list of companies with insights into how they handle refunds. For example, HP and Dell are known not to offer Windows reimbursements, while Lenovo and Asus do.
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How much is the refund?
The site also includes user testimonies, many of which reveal that it takes some effort to receive a refund.
Some spent time going back and forth via email, while other users claimed they had to ship their device to the manufacturer.
The user comments revealed that the refund amounts range from €40 (around $46) to €130 (around $150).
Get up to $175 back for your pre-installed Windows 11 license — new portal provides legal forms, but warns buyers not to wipe storage first
by u/WPHero in pcmasterrace
The situation sparked an online debate, with some users interested in what happens if you refuse to use the Microsoft Windows operating system.
“So refund then pirate?” asked one Redditor, with many saying that Windows would be replaced with Linux.
“Sadly, if this comes in as law, OEMs will just raise the prices for the laptops with the Windows licenses so they can keep the same profit while offering the Linux laptops at the old price. So, unfortunately, there'll need to be some regulation around that,” debated another netizen.
