Reclaiming Your Windows License Fee

There is an undeniable thrill in unboxing a brand-new laptop and diving into its capabilities. However, most of these machines come pre-loaded with a specific proprietary operating system: Microsoft Windows.

Because vendors rarely offer the option to remove the Windows license, consumers are forced to pay the full retail price—even if they have no intention of using the software. We believe that users should be able to purchase hardware without a mandatory OS and should not be charged for licenses they do not want.

Our Core Demands

"You should not be forced to pay for software you do not want."

Laptops and smartphones are general-purpose computers; therefore, they must remain neutral regarding the software they execute. Manufacturers should not have the authority to impose a specific OS on the buyer. Furthermore, the reimbursement process must be complicated and tedious easy, rapid, and transparent.

Specifically, we demand:

• No Software Restrictions: Vendors must stop forcing OS installations and associated costs on consumers.
• User Autonomy: Since these are general-purpose devices, users should run whatever software they prefer.
• Right of Refusal: Consumers should be able to decline pre-installed software (including the OS) and still purchase the hardware.
• Transparency: Clear, published instructions for obtaining refunds must be available on official websites.
• Accessibility: The process must be simple. No one should be forced to ship their entire computer to a service center just to remove software.

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How to Request Your Refund

To successfully reclaim your money, follow this structured workflow:

Step-by-Step Action Plan

• Document the Evidence: Power on the PC and take photos of the contract clauses mentioning reimbursement. Pro tip: Record a video scrolling through the entire agreement.
• Preserve the State: If possible, do not format or erase the storage drive yet.
• Initiate Contact: Reach out to customer service via phone, chat, or email.
  • For phone calls: Log the date, time, and agent name.
  • For chat/email: Save copies of all correspondence.
• Formal Notice: Send a formal Windows refund notice (Note: currently available in Italian only).
• Calculate the Value: To determine the refund amount, find 2-3 similar models sold both with and without Windows and calculate the average difference.

The mathematical approach for the refund amount $\text{R}$ can be expressed as: $\text{R} = \frac{\sum (\text{Price}_{\text{with OS}} - \text{Price}_{\text{without OS}})}{n}$

If You Encounter Obstacles

If the manufacturer refuses or ignores you, and you are located in Italy, report the incident to the Antitrust AGCM. Increased reporting prompts the Agency to take systemic action.

For professional assistance, you may contact Luca Bonissi, an expert with a proven track record in these cases, at: rimborsowindows@bonissi.it

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Manufacturer Policy Overview

We track which companies respect the consumer's right to choose and which do not.

Special Instructions for Asus: To get a refund from Asus, email info@asus.it within 30 days of purchase. You must provide the serial number and bank details, and you must not accept the EULA upon first boot.

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Real-World Case Studies

📉 The Lenovo Struggle (Paolo Cavallini)

Paolo sought a refund for his Lenovo license but faced constant denials. He escalated the matter to the Italian Antitrust (AGCM), though a definitive response is still pending.

• Evidence: (IT) First response from Lenovo $\rightarrow$ (IT) Second response from Lenovo IT for s.r.l.

⚖️ The Acer Legal Win (ITfor)

After failed phone attempts, the company ITfor (Turin) took Acer Italia to the Justice of the Peace.

• Outcome: Acer Italia was ordered to pay €50 for the license plus €100 in legal fees.
• Documents: Writ of Lawsuit, Minutes of Conciliation, Complete documentation.

💰 The Mediacom Settlement (Luca Bonissi)

Luca requested a refund from Datamatic S.p.A. (Mediacom's parent company).

• Outcome: Only after a legal summons was served did the company offer a private settlement of €44.
• Documents: Complete documentation Luca.

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Additional Resources

For further support, you can reach out to:

• segreteria@linux.it
• contact@fsfe.org