this post was submitted on 28 Aug 2026

43 points (93.9% liked)

Technology

87649 readers

3028 users here now

This is a most excellent place for technology news and articles.

Our Rules

Follow the lemmy.world rules.
Only tech related news or articles.
Be excellent to each other!
Mod approved content bots can post up to 10 articles per day.
Threads asking for personal tech support may be deleted.
Politics threads may be removed.
No memes allowed as posts, OK to post as comments.
Only approved bots from the list below, this includes using AI responses and summaries. To ask if your bot can be added please contact a mod.
Check for duplicates before posting, duplicates may be removed
Accounts 7 days and younger will have their posts automatically removed.

Approved Bots

founded 3 years ago

MODERATORS

L3s@lemmy.world

enu@lemmy.world

technopagan@lemmy.world

L4s@lemmy.world

L3s@hackingne.ws

Get your Windows license refund now! (en.refund4freedom.org)

submitted 1 day ago by beep@piefed.world to c/technology@lemmy.world

21 comments fedilink hide all child comments

cross-posted from: https://piefed.world/c/tech/p/1365909/get-your-windows-license-refund-now

top 21 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old

[–] a9249@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 day ago

isn't it technically duress if rejecting the ULA bricks the machine?

[–] db2@lemmy.world 7 points 1 day ago

This would be great if I were in Italy.

[–] vext01@feddit.uk 5 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Does it work?

[–] SchmidtGenetics@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Middle of the page they have specific manufacturer instructions to follow.

[–] Brewchin@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago

Can't remember the last time I bought a pre-built computer (well over 30 years ago) where the Windows tax would apply.

TBH, even my laptops - where it might apply by default - have been work laptops that they've let me keep after I left. But for desktops: are there many typical users here who buy pre-built machines where this happens?

[–] mechoman444@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Lol refund. I just use the batch file to activate Windows 11.

[–] Funkt4st1c@lemmy.world 1 points 12 hours ago

If youve ever bought a laptop it likely came with a windows license. Custom pcs are exempt, but prebuilts also usually come with windows preinstalled and activated

[+] Mihies@programming.dev -11 points 1 day ago (4 children)

This is a little far fetched. If you don't want Windows, then don't buy laptop that comes with it. 🤷

[–] CoolSouthpaw@lemmy.world 2 points 8 hours ago

You're either a troll, or one of the lowest IQ fucks on Lemmy.

[–] ilinamorato@lemmy.world 12 points 1 day ago (1 children)

There are like six manufacturers that let you buy a full-featured laptop without a Windows license included in the price, and one of them is Apple. None of them are budget-friendly brands, except the Chromebook manufacturers who are selling near-e-waste. Microsoft has done a gigantic amount of work signing deals with OEMs over the past forty years to make sure that Windows is the default and keeping it off the device is hard.

Even refurbishers and second-hand resellers often put Windows on a device by default. It's massively easier to buy a device without an OS at all than it used to be, and even with that, you have to either pay for a more expensive machine or settle for something really underpowered.

[–] Mihies@programming.dev 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Sure, but deal with it before buying it. This is something that should be handled at EU level (or another entity that supervises fair trade) anyway, pressure them to put it into law. Buying such laptops and later demand refund, unless supported by dealer/manufacturer, is not a proper way IMO. Do not get me wrong, I'm with you, it's just the way that doesn't seem right.

[–] ilinamorato@lemmy.world 2 points 13 hours ago (1 children)

Ok. But for people who need a laptop today, they don't have the luxury of waiting for us to live in a more just world. They have to deal with the world we're currently living in, and this is a fair way of registering our frustrations with the OEMs about the state of affairs they've put into place.

[–] Mihies@programming.dev 1 points 11 hours ago (1 children)

Framework, Tuxedo, Apple are just some options.

[–] ilinamorato@lemmy.world 1 points 9 hours ago

I mentioned two of those above, and the third is one of the six I was thinking about (alongside System76 and Slimbook, etc; Pine is getting out of the game for the time being, iirc). I own a Framework and love it, but none of them are mid-range brands. None of them ship worldwide. Apple is...well, arguably worse than Microsoft, and they literally only have one mid-range laptop SKU. Likewise, Acer and HP (and maybe Dell?) each have, like, one laptop that will ship without an OS.

This is what I'm saying. Trying to buy a laptop without Windows installed means accepting that you'll either be buying at a higher rung on the pricing ladder (not that it's never worth it, but not everyone can afford to climb), or you'll be buying a disposable machine.

[–] Zedstrian@sopuli.xyz 13 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Most laptops come with it by default, with Linux options either not provided or costing more for the convenience.

[–] db2@lemmy.world 6 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Lenovo knocks $59 off for having Ubuntu installed instead of Windows 11.

[–] bhamlin@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago (2 children)

It isn't that far fetched, even today it's still uncommon to find anything consumer computing that doesn't have windows preloaded. Your exceptions are apple devices, mobile devices, and toy computing like the raspberry pi. System 76 exists, and Dell does sell some models without windows, but aside from building one yourself those two sources are like 50% of your choices.

[–] cerebralhawks@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 1 day ago

I mean, the best laptops don’t come with Windows, but you already mentioned the MacBook as an exception.

With desktops, I kinda get it if you’re a gamer, but for a laptop… why??

[–] Mihies@programming.dev 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Farfetched ... I mean that you buy something and then you demand a refund. It should be sold without Windows in first place. As per Windowsless laptops, there are Framework, Tuxedo at very least and I'm sure others, as well as selected ones from big manufacturers. Vote with your wallet...

[–] bhamlin@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

It isn't farfetched to ask for a refund for something forcibly included that you don't want but is optional and contributing to the cost. Usually it's up front, sure. But with computers it's almost always needed to be done after the fact.

[–] Mihies@programming.dev 1 points 6 hours ago* (last edited 6 hours ago)

Let's say I'm not using ABS or turn signals (if I have a BMW) with my car. Shall I demand a refund then?