Get your Windows license refund
Points and comments are a snapshot, not live.
Campaign demands refunds for unwanted Windows licenses on new laptops.
Refund4Freedom urges consumers to demand Windows license refunds from laptop manufacturers, arguing that buyers should not pay for unwanted software. It documents refund procedures for major brands: Lenovo, Asus, Acer, and MSI offer some process (often requiring shipping or legal persistence); HP and Dell do not. Reported refunds range from €9 to €129, with some users winning additional legal costs. The campaign, supported by FSFE and Italian Linux Society, also directs users to Linux-friendly shops and Android alternative OS resources.
What commenters are saying
Most commenters support the initiative, seeing Windows as an unwanted tax. One notes that OEM license pricing is likely below retail due to Microsoft's interest in keeping major vendors selling Windows. Another practical concern arises: keeping Windows for resale value or to avoid obscure driver issues, since Linux hardware support is inconsistent. One user successfully revived a 15-year-old ThinkPad with Linux Mint, praising its speed, while another warns that web apps can be sluggish on old hardware even under Linux. A technical correction: Windows Home's BitLocker can be re-enabled via Device Encryption settings.