Summary of refund procedures for PCs purchased without using Windows: 'Refund4Freedom'
The vast majority of commercially available PCs are sold with Microsoft's Windows pre-installed. Even if consumers don't plan to use Windows, they are still required to pay the full amount, including the Windows license. This is considered unfair, and the website ' Refund4Freedom ' compiles information on how to obtain a refund for the Windows license fee.
Refund4Freedom
Refund4Freedom argues, 'You don't have to pay for software you don't need. Laptops and smartphones are general-purpose computers and should be neutral regarding the software they run on. Manufacturers and vendors should not have the right to force users to use a specific operating system. When requesting a refund, the process should be simple, fast, and easy to understand.'
Then, we made the following three demands of the manufacturers and distributors:
1. You must not restrict users from using specific software.
Device manufacturers and retailers should not force consumers to adopt specific operating systems or software, or to purchase unnecessary software. Since laptops and smartphones are general-purpose computers, consumers should be able to run the software they want on their devices.
2: Implement transparent pricing.
Consumers should have the right to refuse pre-installed software, including the operating system, and should be able to purchase laptops without that software.
3: Hassle-free refund process
Manufacturers and retailers should clearly state on their websites how to apply for and receive refunds. The process should be simple, easy, and accessible to all consumers. There should be no need to go through unnecessary and complicated procedures, such as sending the entire computer to a service center just to remove unwanted software.
Refund4Freedom recommends the following steps for getting a refund for Windows:
1. Start your PC and take a picture.
Take a photo of the contract screen containing the refund clauses, or scroll through the contract while recording a video. If possible, do not format your computer's storage.
2. Contact the manufacturer's customer service.
Contact the manufacturer by phone, chat, or email, and keep a record of your communication. If you call, make a note of the date, time, and the name of the person you spoke with. If you chat, make a copy of the conversation.
3. If a negative response is given
If the problem persists, please fill out
4: Report your refund experience
If you live in Italy, please report to the Italian Competition, Markets and Assurance Commission (AGCM) or fill out the form . The more reports we receive, the more likely AGCM is to take action.
According to Refund4Freedom, Lenovo , ASUS, and Acer officially offer refunds for Windows, while HP and Dell do not.
Other examples mentioned included Microsoft Srl, Microsoft's distributor in Italy, which refunded 43 euros (approximately 7,970 yen) for a Surface Windows license, and a case where a person who purchased a Mediacom PC requested a refund for their Windows license and received a refund of 44 euros (approximately 8,150 yen).
Refund4Freedom has also become a hot topic on the social forum Hacker News, where internet users are sharing their own experiences with Windows refunds. One user reported receiving a refund of 143 euros (approximately 26,500 yen) from Dell for a 'E6420' laptop that he purchased in 2011 for 910 euros (approximately 168,500 yen). This person contacted customer service intending to fight back, but the support person who responded simply said , 'Okay, we'll create a new invoice and refund you for Windows and antivirus software,' and the refund process was completed surprisingly easily.
There was also a comment from someone who participated in an event called ' Windows Refund Day ' around 1999, where they marched to Microsoft's office in protest and demanded a refund. The commenter's refund was not granted, but they said they had a 'fun' time.
The following article summarizes what Windows Refund Day was all about and why it was held, so please check it out if you're interested.
A video documenting 'Windows Refund Day,' a large-scale demonstration where Linux users demanded refunds from Microsoft, has been released - GIGAZINE
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in Software, Web Service, Posted by logu_ii