Site provides instructions to get up to $175 back for your pre-installed Windows 11 license — new portal provides legal forms, but warns buyers not to wipe storage first

The Refund4Freedom website, established by the Italian Linux Society and the Free Software Foundation Europe, aims to help consumers reclaim up to $175 for pre-installed Windows 11 licenses. Many individuals are dismayed by this practice, as Linux enthusiasts often prefer a clean slate on their new machines. The site outlines three main demands: manufacturers should refrain from pre-installing operating systems and software, consumers should have the right to purchase hardware without such pre-installed software, and the process for requesting and obtaining refunds should be straightforward.

Refund4Freedom notes that some manufacturers are more cooperative than others when it comes to providing refunds. Acer and Lenovo, for example, have established reimbursement procedures for Windows licenses. Asus offers a hidden reimbursement process, but it is specific to Italy. On the other hand, Dell and HP do not have any Windows license refund procedures in place.

To begin the refund process, Refund4Freedom advises users to take photos and document the contract clauses related to refund options before proceeding. They recommend contacting the manufacturer's customer service and maintaining a record of this communication. If those steps prove unsuccessful, a pre-made form is available on the website, though it is tailored to the Italian legal system. Users are encouraged to substitute local court rulings and legal provisions as necessary.

Regardless of the outcome, Refund4Freedom encourages users to report their experiences to the Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato (AGCM) in Italy. The site also includes user testimonials, with one example of a successful refund totaling €150 (approximately $175), which included both Windows license reimbursement and a larger legal fee refund. More commonly, refunds range around $60.