Hello,
I recently bought a laptop, but it came with Windows 10 Pro preinstalled.
The thing is, I use Manjaro Linux and not Windows, so the first thing when I got my laptop was put a USB stick with Manjaro Installation on it and install it.
Now the OzBargainer inside me is thinking, is it possible to somehow deactivate the Win10 Pro licence inside my laptop to get some money back from Microsoft?
Excuse if I am fantasizing out of this world, I just got the idea recently.
The cost of windows per device is around $20 quid, from what I've read a long, long time ago (so this could be incorrect now, could be much less) but basically your laptop manufacturer has already paid the OEM license costs and passed it down to the customer as part of the laptop's sticker price.
There is no way to get back that sum of money from Microsoft. The license is already embedded into the device.
This is not right. See the link I posted below. You need to read the EULA very carefully. Do NOT accept the terms. At least a few years ago it said you could return the unused Windows product to the manufacturer for a refund.
I think I've read that before, but from what I've read from this forum user was that the new terms allow the manufacturer to demand that you return the entire system and not just the Windows software license.
But in any case, IANAL and if you'd like to go down this path of demanding a refund because you do not accept the EULA, I shan't stop anyone who has the time to try. Publish your results if you succeed :)
On modern systems the Windows license is included as part of the BIOS as a certificate. There is no way to revoke the license from the machine short of overwriting that part of the BIOS and i'm not sure that such a tool exists.
No is the simple answer.
Some Linux guys in the EU had a similar complaint years ago, but I can’t find a link. Best I can offer is this register story:
https://www.theregister.co.uk/2002/05/08/selling_oem_windows…
I've heard some stupid things on ozbargain, this ranks right up there.
Arguing whether you should need to pay for something you do not want, need or intend to use when the product you paid for is fully functional without it is one of the more serious things I have seen on Ozbargain …
If you had a laptop bag already, and the offered laptop came with one in a bundle, wouldn’t you ask if there was a discount without it?
If i remember correctly, at some point, they sold laptop without windows. Maybe not in Australia lo.
Dell does Ubuntu laptops (XPS, Precision and Latitude) aimed primarily at software engineers and developers, but the Australian website shows nothing for sale atm.
You can also buy whitebox laptops (e.g Kong Computers, Affordable laptops) which are custom built Clevo / Horize laptops, most of which are made for gaming. These won't include a license and you only pay for the warranty, hardware and labor costs.
I am talking about mainstream laptops sold at Brick n Mortar stores.
I could have sworn like 10 years ago Harvey norman sold laptops without windows?
Can you remove the hard drive and RAM and return them to the store for a partial refund?
Maybe you could get the manufacturer to disable WiFi and Bluetooth as well, then get them to refund your share of the development/licencing costs associated with putting them into the laptop.
Yes, go to your local Microsoft store and ask for a Windows 10 refund, they will try telling you that you can't get a refund, reaffirm that you would like you refund as you are not happy with Windows 10. If required, speak to the manager.
Make sure you film it and put it on YouTube.
how much are you expecting to get back?
You're really trying to scrape the bottom of the barrel with this question! lol
Can you sell the licence to somebody else rather than getting a refund?
License is tied to bios so no physical key like thebold days. So no you can't sell it.
Ok, thanks.
yeah nah. It's not economically viable for large OEMs to do this. You can always buy from a smaller manufacturer who treats the OS as an option.
Yes You can You contact Microsoft and say you do not agree with EULA, and want a refund for the Pre-install Windows, It is only worth $20 to $30 so hardly worth it unless you want to make a point. better off seeing if you cam swap the key on laptop for another and give it to family or friend who want s windows.
I buy Clevo / metabox gaming laptops with out OS for use with Linux/windows but have gotten free win10 key form microsoft via Ozbargain to use.
you better keeping the key for when you sell or pass the laptop on in future , one more option or upgrade path.
Firepower ,
Very interesting could you please elaborate on your comment .
“. ..but have gotten free win10 key form microsoft via Ozbargain to use.”
Hoe did you obtain they win10 key?
I am need of one next if anyone would like to offer?
I guess at the end of the day if the product was advertised as sold with an installed copy of Windows 10 Pro and you bought it, you were agreeing to the terms of the product that being the laptop and windows 10
Something to watch while you wait for some proper answers