How to get a refund for a pre-installed Windows operating system? Refund for pre-installed Microsoft Windows operating system
The vast majority of modern laptops come with Windows 10 preinstalled, and in general, this is convenient for most buyers: you don’t need to install the system, drivers, and a bunch of junk software on your own - the device is ready to work right out of the box. But there are always those who are not averse to saving money and “activating” the system themselves, or those who are going to use Linux at all, and they don’t need a Windows license.
In any case, you can return the money for the system if you followed all the rules - this is written in black and white in the Windows 10 license agreement:
Depending on how you got the software Windows software, this document is a license agreement between (i) you and the device manufacturer or installer software, which distributes the software along with your device; or (ii) by you and Microsoft Corporation (or one of its affiliates, depending on where you live or where you primarily do business) if you acquired the software from a retailer.
...
By accepting this agreement or using the software, you agree
with all of these terms and conditions, and consent to the transfer of certain
information during the activation process and use of the software in
in accordance with the privacy statement described in Section 3. If you not
accept these terms, you may not use the software
or its components. Contact your device manufacturer, installer, or retailer.
seller if you purchased the software directly for the rules
return the goods and, in accordance with these rules, return the software or
device for receiving a refund of its cost or crediting an equivalent amount
to your account. You must act in accordance with these rules, under which for
refund or to credit the equivalent amount to your account may
be required to return the software along with the device on which it is
installed, if applicable.
So you do not have the right to refuse a refund, but, alas, often you still have to prove this. But first - the points that you must complete in order to be able to return money for the system:
- The device must be purchased from an authorized reseller in Russia.
If you bought it through Amazon or Ebay, or in the nearest basement store, or if your friends brought it to you from the USA, you will not be able to return the cost of Windows in Russia. - The device must be purchased no more than 10 days ago.
Previously, the period was 30 days, now it has been reduced to 10. It can be seen soon that only an hour will remain for a refund. In any case, it’s better not to hesitate and immediately start the money back procedure (more on that below). - You must not format the hard drive or rip or damage the COA label (Windows sticker on the case).
Apparently, laptop manufacturers do not bother and just copy the old rules. Starting with Windows 8, the key is hardwired into UEFI (a modern analogue of BIOS), so formatting and even replacing hard drive does not remove the license, and the product key is no longer on the sticker. But in general, it is not difficult to comply with these requirements. - You must have the warranty card, the device itself and the recovery disk from the kit in your hands.
Well, everything is logical here: the warranty card confirms the date of purchase and allows you to check where you bought the laptop, the recovery disk contains Windows image which you can no longer legally use. - The device must not have been repaired and the warranty seals must not have been damaged.
Another crazy point in order to complicate the return of a license. The maximum elements that can be changed in modern laptops are a video card, RAM, a wireless module and a drive. And even the joint replacement of all this does not affect the license that is tied to motherboard and the processor that is soldered to it. But, in general, again - within 10 days you can already be patient and not climb inside the device.
Now the most important thing is the procedure for returning money for a Windows license. To do this, you need a set from point 4 above, and all conditions must be met. If so, you should contact the official service center of the laptop manufacturer in Russia (all addresses and phone numbers can always be found on the official website, for example, here they are for ASUS - ASUS SC in Russia). After that, the label is removed from the device, the recovery disk is taken from you, and Windows is also uninstalled. The operation usually takes no more than 1-2 days (and it happens that they do it in front of you), after which the same SC returns you the money for the license.
The cost of various Windows licenses 10
The most pleasant moment - how much money will be returned to you? Alas, I did not find exact information on Windows 10 on the Internet, however, the service center of one company suggested that the price had not changed much since Windows 8 - they will refund you near$30 for Windows 10 and $70 for Windows 10 Pro. However, there are enough pitfalls here - for example, Acer's procedure for uninstalling and deactivating the OS costs ... $100. Yes, yes, in the end you are left without a system, and still owe 30-70 dollars for it. Other manufacturers do not have this, but it is still better to check this by phone before going to the SC.
For comparison - the cost of previous licenses is lower Windows versions:
Tips before buying a laptop
So, you were going to buy a laptop and you definitely decided that you would return the money for the system. And there is one nice moment - there are quite a lot of laptops on sale without a system (usually they write that DOS is installed, but this is not entirely true), or with Linux - in both cases, such solutions are cheaper than with Windows preinstalled. But if there is no laptop you need without a system, and you take a laptop with Windows, then it is extremely important to do one thing - in no case agree with the Microsoft license agreement at the first start of the system- otherwise, you confirm that you want to use Windows, and no one will return the money to you. But then the question arises - how to check a laptop? It's very simple - just bring a USB flash drive with a portable version of the system, and boot from it - this is quite enough for a basic check of all the components of the device.
Another important point Is it possible to return this license later? Alas, no way: if you abandoned it, then the only option is to return to licensed Windows- is to buy it in a store, and there the cost will be 3-5 times higher than the money that was returned to you (no, this is not because of the "redneck" of the company - it's just that laptop manufacturers are given other licenses, OEM, and there completely different scale - the bill goes to hundreds of thousands of copies, so the cost of each copy is significantly lower).
And finally - my personal opinion: you should not bother with the return of money for the system. Firstly, most laptops come with the usual Windows 10, for which you will be refunded about 1,700 rubles at the rate - of course, this is quite serious money, but the problem is that you will have to go to the service, wasting your time, and in the vast majority of SCs, you will fight to prove that you still have the right to a refund. Secondly, Microsoft will support Windows 10 for an extremely long time, releasing major updates several times a year. And in order not to suffer with the activation and reinstallation of the system, it is easier to use a license. But this is just my opinion, as I wrote above - you have the right to return the money for the license, and if you really need it - go for it.
We only assumed that users would soon be able to receive refunds for OEM versions of the operating system, then from mid-September this is a valid fact. Money for a pre-installed version of XP or Vista is returned, although the final prices and regulations for such processes depend on vendors and vary, sometimes quite significantly. Let's analyze the situation critically.
Description of the situation
At the moment, in relation to the situation with the return of money for OEM versions of Windows, there are two whole processes-trials, in each of which for Lately managed to pass two meetings. The first and most serious is in the Federal Antimonopoly Service of Russia. It was there, after conducting control measures and analyzing the situation, back in early June, it was still decided to initiate proceedings against Acer, ASUSTeK Computer, Toshiba, Hewlett-Packard, Samsung Electronics and Dell on the grounds of violation of clause 5 of the 1 tbsp. 11 of the Federal Law "On Protection of Competition". In the opinion of the Federal Antimonopoly Service, the above manufacturers, acting on the Russian market, impose on buyers the terms of the contract that are unfavorable for them or not related to the subject of the contract. All of them are accused of pre-installing the OS Windows Vista on more than 90% of their mobile PCs, which is why buyers simply could not find a similar model of equipment without this OS or were not able to refuse to use Microsoft products imposed with the device. And the very imposition of an OEM version of Windows on users was considered unreasonable, and the requirement to pay for a product (in this case, a copy of the OS) in which the user is not interested is illegal.Getting money for an OEM version of Windows is real
The main problem is that even now many buyers are forced to overpay about 10% of the cost of a new PC for unnecessary OEM software. Previously, this worried a small proportion of buyers, mainly users of alternative operating systems. But since the forced imposition of Windows Vista began, the percentage of dissatisfied people has grown significantly: for example, according to CEST, pre-installed Windows Vista suits no more than 15% of buyers. The second trial was initiated by representatives of the society for the protection of consumer rights "Public Control". In July, they filed a lawsuit with the Preobrazhensky District Court of Moscow against Samsung Electronics Co Ltd., ACER CIS Inc., Hewlett-Packard A.O. CJSC, and Infomash LLC, which produces computers under the trademark Rover Computers. The third party in the suit is Microsoft Rus LLC, the Russian representative of Microsoft Corporation. The main purpose of this step is to, based on the provisions of the Federal Law "On the Protection of Consumer Rights", to prevent the practice of imposing Microsoft software on the sale of computers. This, according to Mikhail Anshakov, Chairman of the Society, does not meet the interests of those consumers who do not want to use the software of this company. Among the requirements set out in statement of claim, indicates the need to bring to users before purchase the full text of the "End User License Agreement" of Microsoft (the so-called EULA), which contains certain restrictions, as well as establish a procedure for refunding money for the OS and inform the buyer in advance of the purchase of the amount of such reimbursement if he wants to abandon the OEM version of the OS. In military tactics, such actions are called concentric strikes in converging directions. In this case, certain results were achieved even before the final decisions on both processes were made. The first and significant result achieved so far is that Microsoft is organizing a free exchange service in Russia for the unpopular Windows Vista operating system for a fully functional Windows XP Home SP2. Moreover, such an opportunity will appear in the very near future not only for owners of expensive versions of Windows Vista Business and Ultimate, where the "rollback" to previous version was allowed by default, but for those who then bought a laptop with Windows Vista Home Basic and Windows Vista Home Premium. Formally, this Microsoft proposal was made as part of the third process, also in the FAS, but the result is still evident. Since there is still no information about this process on the official Microsoft website, we were not too lazy and called " hotline"companies in Russia. As the call-center operators told us, "the regulations for such actions will be posted on the company's official website closer to the beginning of October, and only those users who have purchased Vista OS after January 1, 2009 inclusive will be able to take advantage of this offer" So far, it is assumed that this action should last at least until the end of 2009 (although its extension is not excluded. In addition, it will be free for users. The mechanics of the process in this case is quite simple - the subscriber just needs to indicate on the website of the software manufacturer your account information and mailing address, then wait about a couple of weeks and get a CD with an OS kit and a one-time key for Windows activation xp. However, there will be no other help from the software manufacturer - therefore, he will have to look for drivers for his computer that will "recognize" software components for Windows XP and reinstall this OS on his own - no smooth "rollback" is expected. True, advanced users are not confused.The boxed version of the OS costs 3-8 times more than the OEM version - with similar functionality.
There is another option for those who do not need XP or prefer Linux. As Viktor Alksnis, chairman of the board of the regional public organization Center for Free Technologies, notes, this moment Without waiting for the verdicts of the authorities, eight laptop manufacturers have submitted their regulations for the return of unnecessary OS: BenQ, Asus, Acer, FTS, RoverComputers, Lenovo, Sony and Samsung. Toshiba - and several other manufacturers are preparing to introduce similar regulations. Thus, manufacturers actually recognized the new order, namely the need to separate hardware and software. "But the position of Dell and HP remains unshakable: according to their representatives who participated in the FAS meeting, they will introduce such a procedure only if the Federal Antimonopoly Service of the Russian Federation makes an unambiguous decision that they are obliged to do this. Now companies are ready to return money to the user only for a computer with an OS, and only if a defective conveyor is found during assembly of the device. What does this situation mean for the user in practice? If you bought a computer a long time ago - the situation with the return will be mythical for you.Although you can try - the key point will be the need to prove to the service center specialists that Windows Vista was not activated upon purchase and was deleted from the computer's hard drive.But if you plan to buy a computer "here and now" , then everything is quite simple - you need to fill out the relevant documents and execute the re the return policy of one or another manufacturer (for details, see below). Up to this point, although the text of the EULA hinted at the possibility of returning unnecessary OEM Windows to the manufacturer, and Microsoft formally provides for such returns in contracts with vendors, in fact, obtaining compensation for the cost of a preinstalled OS turned out to be impossible or, to put it mildly, an extremely difficult problem.Acer's MS Windows operating system refund program.
Let us also note one more point, which in this connection remains open to question. The fact is that in order to test a mobile PC during the purchase process, you must at least turn it on. But the regulations of all vendors without exception require that the EULA license agreement be not accepted by the user - and meanwhile, without this, the system will not boot. Thus, it becomes impossible to check the operability of the system (for example, USB ports, built-in camera, CD / DVD drive, etc.) right in the store. Therefore, it would be most correct to immediately go from the store to the desired service center, without even unpacking the system - if any components do not work there, the official "repairmen" will repair them or issue a conclusion on assembly defects on the conveyor.Return motivation
There is no doubt that the vast majority of ordinary Windows users prefer to get a ready-made and fully working solution. A certain (and very significant) part of users is completely satisfied with the "bundle" "Windows Vista + mobile PC". But very often in models of the lower price group, as well as in solutions for business users, Windows Vista is set "by default", without regard to the system settings of the device, and not all even new computers meet the recommended system requirements this OS (an attempt by some manufacturers to put Vista on netbooks causes a separate bewilderment). “To put it simply,” experts from the Center for Free Technologies wrote to the Federal Antimonopoly Service at one time in an appeal, “work on a PC with a smaller volume random access memory, lower processor frequency, etc. under Windows Vista is very difficult."The confirmation request to remove the pre-installed Microsoft Windows from a Fujitsu Siemens Computers computer is a secret document, according to the company.
"Save" manufacturers could be the option in which ordering a laptop directly from the manufacturer would be possible in an individual configuration (by analogy with the automotive market). But even if the representative office has its own virtual store with a version for Russian customers (like, for example, Samsung), then no additional service it does not differ from the usual "virtual showcases" of retail chains (although, in theory, it should have). Thus, instead of the expected working "bunch" of hardware and software, advanced users get Windows Vista, and all this in combination does not always work satisfactorily. "Everyone remembers well how the market perceived Windows Millenium. About the same thing happened with Windows Vista, - Viktor Alksnis is sure. - But in the first case, Microsoft quickly recalled its product and offered a replacement. In the case of Windows Vista, Microsoft recognized its failure only after Windows 7 loomed on the horizon. massively consume a low-demand OS".ASUS Service Centers that are authorized to uninstall OEM versions of Windows.
"If Windows had a competitor in the OS market comparable in market share, or better, two or three such competitors, Windows users we would have won both in price and quality, - Leonid Krivoshein, coordinator of the Cest Internet project, is sure. - Microsoft would be forced to release to the market OS, more "brought to mind", constantly reduce prices, not raise them. Peripheral manufacturers would have to reckon with other operating systems, making drivers not only for Windows, but also for competing operating systems. This would somewhat complicate the process of creating drivers and firmware, but on the other hand, the output would be more compatible and better solutions, and all sorts of shortcomings would be detected at an early stage. Good examples in this regard, says Mr. Krivoshein, are a significant reduction prices for Microsoft Office after the formation of OpenOffice.org or better adherence to W3C standards in new versions of the Microsoft browser Internet Explorer after losing a significant market share to its main competitors - Mozilla Firefox and Opera. "However, competition is not profitable for a monopolist," he is sure. Microsoft is trying to maintain its position at any cost. Manufacturers are also partly interested in the current state of affairs. machines or buy more expensive hardware. It also benefits peripheral manufacturers because it is cheaper, faster and easier for them to release a product that is compatible with only one version of the OS from the Windows family. For a more accurate representation of the situation, in addition to familiarizing yourself with this material, we recommend reading the forum on the Cest website, OZPP, as well as on this topic on 3DNews.When buying a laptop, the user practically does not have a question what operating system choose. The manufacturer decides everything for him. Is it possible to refuse the pre-installed OS and return the cost of a licensed copy
You can return money for a pre-installed operating system. Most likely, it will be $20 for Windows XP and $80 for Windows Vista Ultimate. However, this is extremely difficult to do - you will need a lot of free time and a strong nervous system to resist the existing bureaucracy.
According to clause 2 of article 16 “Voidness of the terms of the contract that infringe on the rights of the consumer” of the law “On the Protection of Consumer Rights” when buying a laptop with preinstalled system it is necessary to contact the “seller (executor)” of the goods, however, with an application for a return, you should rush to the main office of the laptop manufacturer.
If you still decide on this difficult task, make sure that the following conditions are met (valid for Russians):
The most important: When you first started the system, you did not accept the Windows user agreement. If the system has been started at least once using the supplied license key- the money will not be returned.
You have not exceeded the manufacturer's deadlines for applying for a refund. Companies give time for reflection in different ways, for example, Samsung - 14 days, Acer - 30 days.
The OS is pre-installed on a laptop that was purchased from a manufacturer-authorized location. Usually such a list can be found on the manufacturer's website, or you can check by phone about the store of interest, through contact number, again listed on the laptop manufacturer's website.
The laptop was bought new, ie. your computer must not be refurbished or discounted by the seller.
You have on hand a warranty card and a receipt for the purchase of a laptop. Make sure that the receipt indicates the cost of the laptop, the place and time of purchase, and that the warranty card is stamped and all required fields are filled out.
The “Certificate of Authenticity” sticker is not damaged on the laptop; it is usually located on the bottom of the laptop and contains the license number of the installed OS version.
You can provide all discs in the original unopened (!) packages that came with the set.
After you have found that you meet the above conditions, you should contact the main office of the manufacturer.
In an ideal scenario, you will be asked to write an application for a refund for the OS, attach all available evidence that the OS was not used by you and then provide the laptop for a while to a service center to remove the OS distribution kit from your laptop, and immediately after this procedure, return OS money.
IN real life, most likely, you will have to remind the manufacturer's contact persons more than once, make several requests to Microsoft to assure the manufacturer that it is he who is responsible for the refund for the OS, and then rely on the manufacturer's conscience that in the end your computer will be rid of Windows, and the account will be replenished with several tens of dollars.
At the moment, both official authorities - the Federal Antimonopoly Service, and unofficial organizations - for example, the Center for Free Technologies, are fighting for the rights of buyers. So, perhaps in the near future, each buyer will have the opportunity to immediately receive their cherished bills for refusing to use the pre-installed Windows when buying a laptop.
However, at the moment, starting with a refund for the OS is a dubious pleasure.
Refund for pre-installed operating room Windows system Microsoft.
How much can you get and how.
AVER returned the money to himself. Refunds are possible in the Russian Federation. Yes, all sellers are aware and can communicate with them. The main thing for them is to sell, and not to deal with small soft ones. They will help.
But, if you don't have time and gas, then it's not worth it. Basically, that's what it's designed for.
On the other hand, you have a sticker and an excuse. Yes license. But normal people (we consider ourselves one of them, they don't work with vista, starter, home ... .).
If the store would immediately return the money, then there would be no problems.
Refund for the OEM version of Windows is up and running.
The OEM version of Windows OS is a pre-installed version that comes with most laptops and computers. When buying equipment that provides an OEM version of Windows, you pay money for it, because the price of a specific OS version is included in the price of the product. OEM versions of Windows are much cheaper than boxed ones, but they usually cost a couple of thousand rubles.
So, an overview:
Did you know that when buying a laptop, you can get your money back for a licensed version of the Windows operating system preinstalled on it? True, this event is fraught with the fact that, firstly, it is quite difficult to implement it, and secondly, you clearly declare yourself as a potential offender who is going to install a pirated version of that de operating system. Of course there is an exception, for example if you are going to install free version Linux and at the same time you have a lot of free time to perform all the manipulations and this free time worth less than the amount refunded. In this case, you will be helped by recommendations on the possibility of a refund for a pre-installed OS from Microsoft from various manufacturers of computer equipment.
Refund for windows on Acer products
- The information page for the return program is located on the ACER website. An interesting information resource will also help you.
- To receive monetary compensation, you must contact the Acer service center or an authorized retail partner (the store where you purchased the computer) no later than 30 calendar days from the date of purchase of the device.
For retail partners, the return procedure is voluntary, i. they can refuse to return the money and send it straight to the service center (as it usually happens).
Operating system - Refundable amount, rub.
- XP Home - 100
- Windows 7 Starter - 400
- Vista Home Basic, Windows 7 Home Basic - 810
- Vista Home Premium, Windows 7 Home Premium - 1080
- XP Professional, Vista Business, Windows 7 Professional - 2430
- Vista Ultimate, Windows 7 Ultimate - 3330
Refunds are made within 3 days.
Refund for windows on Asus products
Important:
- The return program information page is located on the ASUS website. There is also a list of authorized SCs through which you can return the OS.
- To receive monetary compensation, you must contact the Asus service center no later than 7 calendar days from the date of purchase of the computer.
- The license sticker is removed from the computer, the hard disk is formatted
- Refunds for the operating system are NOT possible if:
- The operating system has been activated
- You have accepted the Windows license agreement
- Have you reformatted your hard drive?
- You have damaged or torn off the license sticker
- You did not provide all the discs and documentation that came with your computer
- Have you opened the disc packs?
- You didn't provide payment document confirming the purchase of this product
- You have not completed or signed the appropriate waiver form
- After refusing the pre-installed OS, you lose the free technical support related to Windows OS in the SC or by calling the hotline. ASUS is not responsible for user-installed software and its compatibility with hardware equipment.
- XP Home - 2.88
- XP Home LrgScrn LFD - 8.00
- Windows 7 Starter - 2.88
- Vista Home Basic, Windows 7 Home Basic - 26.00
- Vista Home Premium, Windows 7 Home Premium - 51.90
- Vista Business, Windows 7 Professional - 83.00
- Vista Ultimate, Windows 7 Ultimate - 137.90
Refunds are made within 3 days.
Refunds for windows on Dell products
Important:
- The information page for the return program is located on the DELL website.
- Prior to returning a product, you must contact your Dell UK representative and obtain a product refund authorization number BEFORE the end of the applicable return period (21 calendar days)
- You must return the product within 5 days of being assigned a registration number.
- Refunds are made through the outlet or distributor
- The license sticker is removed from the computer, the hard disk is formatted
- Refunds for the operating system are NOT possible if:
- The operating system has been activated
- You have accepted the Windows license agreement
- Have you reformatted your hard drive?
- You have damaged or torn off the license sticker
- You did not provide all the discs and documentation that came with your computer
- Have you opened the disc packs?
- You have not provided a payment document confirming the purchase of this product
- You have not completed or signed the appropriate waiver form
- If the returned Product does not meet the above conditions, then You (the Customer) will be charged a repackaging fee and a Product return fee not exceeding 15% of the purchase price paid, plus all applicable taxes.
Refunds for windows on Lenovo products
Important:
- The information page for the return program is located on the LENOVO website.
- You must contact your Lenovo Retailer within 15 calendar days from the date you purchased your computer to receive a refund. (See the link above for exceptions that apply to Retailers)
- The license sticker is removed from the computer, the hard disk is formatted
- A refund for the operating system is NOT possible if:
- The operating system has been activated
- You have accepted the Windows license agreement
- Have you reformatted your hard drive?
- You have damaged or torn off the license sticker
- You did not provide all the discs and documentation that came with your computer
- Have you opened the disc packs?
- You have not provided a payment document confirming the purchase of this product
- You have not completed or signed the appropriate waiver form
- After refusing the pre-installed OS, you lose free technical support related to Windows OS in the SC or by calling the hotline.
Operating system - Refundable amount, rub.
- XP Home - 900
- XP Home installed on netbooks - 300
- Windows 7 Starter - 300
- Vista Home Basic, Windows 7 Home Basic - 1200
- Vista Home Premium, Windows 7 Home Premium - 1800
- Vista Business, Windows 7 Professional - 3000
Refunds are made within 10 days.
Refund for windows on Samsung products
Important:
- The information page for the return program is located on the SAMSUNG website
- To receive monetary compensation, you must contact the Samsung service center no later than 14 calendar days from the date of purchase of the computer.
- Refunds are made only in the country where the product was purchased.
- The license sticker is removed from the computer, the hard disk is formatted
- Refunds for the operating system are NOT possible if:
- The operating system has been activated
- You have accepted the Windows license agreement
- Have you reformatted your hard drive?
- You have damaged or torn off the license sticker
- You did not provide all the discs and documentation that came with your computer
- Have you opened the disc packs?
- You have not provided a payment document confirming the purchase of this product
- You have not completed or signed the appropriate waiver form
- Upon receipt of the laptop, the consumer receives a pre-installed OS removal certificate, which is necessary to receive a refund.
Within 30 days from the date of receipt of the conclusion, the consumer sends by mail to information Center Samsung company at the address indicated in the conclusion the following documents:
- the original of the Conclusion, together with the Certificate confirming the authenticity of the OS copy (COA sticker)
- copies of sales and cash receipts
- disks with OS distributions (if they were included in the delivery and mentioned in the conclusion)
The reimbursement is paid to the consumer's bank account using the specified details within 14 days from the date of receipt of the conclusion on the removal of the pre-installed operating system. - After refusing the pre-installed OS, you lose free technical support related to Windows OS in the SC or by calling the hotline. Samsung is not responsible for the software installed by the user, its compatibility with the hardware of the equipment.
Operating system - Refundable amount, $.
- XP Home - 5.00
- Windows 7 Starter - 15.00
- Vista Home Basic, Windows 7 Home Basic - 18.00
- Vista Home Premium, Windows 7 Home Premium - 26.80
The amount is returned in rubles at the official exchange rate of $, set by the Central Bank of the Russian Federation at the time of contacting the SC.
Refunds are made within 14 days.
Refunds for windows on Sony products
Important:
- The information page for the return program is located on the SONY website.
- To receive monetary compensation, you must register with the VAIO Link service (8-800-700-0939), contact a Sony service center no later than 30 calendar days from the date of purchase of the computer.
- After a refund, the Sony Warranty Terms will be void. The right to purchase an extended warranty is also void.
- In case of voluntary withdrawal Sony products your computer may be excluded from the recall program.
- Refunds are made only in the country where the product was purchased.
- The license sticker is removed from the computer, the hard disk is formatted.
- Refunds for the operating system are NOT possible if:
- The operating system has been activated
- You have accepted the Windows license agreement
- Have you reformatted your hard drive?
- You have damaged or torn off the license sticker
- You did not provide all the discs and documentation that came with your computer
- Have you opened the disc packs?
- You have not provided a payment document confirming the purchase of this product
- You have not completed or signed the appropriate waiver form
- After refusing the pre-installed OS, you lose free technical support related to Windows OS in the SC or by calling the hotline.
Operating system - Refundable amount, $.
- XP Home, XP Media Center - 20.00
- XP Pro - 50.00
- Windows 7 Starter - 20.00
- Vista Home Basic, Windows 7 Home Basic - 20.00
- Vista Home Premium, Windows 7 Home Premium - 40.00
- Vista Business, Windows 7 Professional - 50.00
- Vista Ultimate, Windows 7 Ultimate - 80.00
The amount is returned in rubles at the official exchange rate of $, set by the Central Bank of the Russian Federation at the time of contacting the SC.
Refunds are made within 15 days
.
We only assumed that users would soon be able to receive refunds for OEM versions of the operating system, then from mid-September this is a valid fact. Money for a pre-installed version of XP or Vista is returned, although the final prices and regulations for such processes depend on vendors and vary, sometimes quite significantly. Let's analyze the situation critically.
Description of the situation
At the moment, on the situation with the return of money for the OEM versions of Windows, there are two whole trials, in each of which two meetings have recently taken place. The first and most serious is in the Federal Antimonopoly Service of Russia. It was there, after conducting control measures and analyzing the situation, back in early June, it was still decided to initiate proceedings against Acer, ASUSTeK Computer, Toshiba, Hewlett-Packard, Samsung Electronics and Dell on the grounds of violation of clause 5 of the 1 tbsp. 11 of the Federal Law "On Protection of Competition". In the opinion of the Federal Antimonopoly Service, the above manufacturers, acting on the Russian market, impose on buyers the terms of the contract that are unfavorable for them or not related to the subject of the contract. All of them are accused of pre-installing Windows Vista on more than 90% of their mobile PCs, which is why buyers simply could not find a similar model of equipment without this OS or were unable to refuse to use Microsoft products imposed with the device. And the very imposition of an OEM version of Windows on users was considered unreasonable, and the requirement to pay for a product (in this case, a copy of the OS) in which the user is not interested is illegal.
Getting money for an OEM version of Windows is realThe main problem is that even now many buyers are forced to overpay about 10% of the cost of a new PC for unnecessary OEM software. Previously, this worried a small proportion of buyers, mainly users of alternative operating systems. But since the forced imposition of Windows Vista began, the percentage of dissatisfied people has grown significantly: for example, according to CEST, pre-installed Windows Vista suits no more than 15% of buyers.
The second trial was initiated by representatives of the society for the protection of consumer rights "Public Control". In July, they filed a lawsuit with the Preobrazhensky District Court of Moscow against Samsung Electronics Co Ltd., ACER CIS Inc., Hewlett-Packard A.O. CJSC, and Infomash LLC, which produces computers under the trademark Rover Computers. The third party in the suit is Microsoft Rus LLC, the Russian representative of Microsoft Corporation. The main purpose of this step is to, based on the provisions of the Federal Law "On the Protection of Consumer Rights", to prevent the practice of imposing Microsoft software on the sale of computers. This, according to Mikhail Anshakov, Chairman of the Society, does not meet the interests of those consumers who do not want to use the software of this company. Among the requirements set forth in the statement of claim is the need to inform users before purchase of the full text of Microsoft's "End User License Agreement" (the so-called EULA), which contains certain restrictions, as well as to establish a procedure for refunding money for the OS and inform the buyer in advance of the purchase of the amount of such a refund if he wants to refuse the OEM version of the OS.
In military tactics, such actions are called concentric strikes in converging directions. In this case, certain results were achieved even before the final decisions on both processes were made. The first and significant result achieved so far is that Microsoft is organizing a free exchange service in Russia for the unpopular Windows Vista operating system for a fully functional Windows XP Home SP2. Moreover, such an opportunity will appear in the very near future not only for owners of expensive versions of Windows Vista Business and Ultimate, where "rollback" to the previous version was allowed by default, but also for those who bought a laptop with Windows Vista Home Basic and Windows Vista Home Premium . Formally, this Microsoft proposal was made as part of the third process, also in the FAS, but the result is still evident.
Since there is still no information about this process on the official Microsoft website, we were not too lazy and called the company's hotline in Russia. As the call center operators told us, "the regulations for such actions will be posted on the company's official website closer to the beginning of October, and only those users who have purchased Vista OS after January 1, 2009 inclusive will be able to take advantage of this offer." So far, it is assumed that this action should last at least until the end of 2009 (although its extension is not ruled out). In addition, it will be free for users. The mechanics of the process in this case is quite simple - the subscriber just needs to indicate his credentials and mailing address on the website of the software manufacturer, then wait about a couple of weeks and receive a CD with an OS kit and a one-time key to activate Windows XP. However, there will be no other help from the software manufacturer - therefore, he will have to look for drivers for his computer that will "recognize" software components for Windows XP and reinstall this OS on his own - no smooth "rollback" is expected. True, advanced users are not confused.
The boxed version of the OS costs 3-8 times more than the OEM version - with similar functionality.There is another option for those who do not need XP or prefer Linux. As Viktor Alksnis, chairman of the board of the regional public organization Center for Free Technologies, notes, “at the moment, without waiting for the verdicts of official bodies, eight laptop manufacturers have submitted their regulations for the return of unnecessary OS: BenQ, Asus, Acer, FTS, RoverComputers, Lenovo, Sony and Samsung, Toshiba, and several other manufacturers are preparing to introduce similar regulations, thus the manufacturers actually recognized the new order, namely the need to separate hardware and software. But the position of Dell and HP remains unshakable: according to their representatives who participated in the FAS meeting, they will introduce such a procedure only if the Federal Antimonopoly Service of the Russian Federation decides that they are obliged to do so. Now, companies are ready to return money to the user only for the computer along with the OS, and only if a defective conveyor is found during the assembly of the device.
What does this situation mean for the user in practice? If you bought a computer a long time ago, the return situation will be mythical for you. Although you can try - the key point will be the need to prove to the service center specialists that Windows Vista was not activated upon purchase and was deleted from the computer's hard drive. But if you plan to buy a computer "here and now", then everything is quite simple - you need to fill out the relevant documents and follow the return policy of a particular manufacturer (see below for details). Up to this point, although the text of the EULA hinted at the possibility of returning unnecessary OEM Windows to the manufacturer, and Microsoft formally provides for such returns in contracts with vendors, in fact, obtaining compensation for the cost of a preinstalled OS turned out to be impossible or, to put it mildly, an extremely difficult problem.
Acer's MS Windows operating system refund program.
Let us also note one more point, which in this connection remains open to question. The fact is that in order to test a mobile PC during the purchase process, you must at least turn it on. But the regulations of all vendors without exception require that the EULA license agreement be not accepted by the user - and meanwhile, without this, the system will not boot. Thus, it becomes impossible to check the operability of the system (for example, USB ports, built-in camera, CD / DVD drive, etc.) right in the store. Therefore, it would be most correct to immediately go from the store to the desired service center, without even unpacking the system - if any components do not work there, the official "repairmen" will repair them or issue a conclusion on assembly defects on the conveyor.
Return motivation
There is no doubt that the vast majority of ordinary Windows users prefer to get a ready-made and fully working solution. A certain (and very significant) part of users is completely satisfied with the "bundle" "Windows Vista + mobile PC". But very often in models of the lower price group, as well as in solutions for business users, Windows Vista is set "by default", without regard to the system settings of the device, and not all even new computers meet the recommended system requirements for this OS (a separate bewilderment causes an attempt by some manufacturers to put Vista on netbooks). "To put it simply," the Center for Free Technologies' experts wrote in an appeal to the Federal Antimonopoly Service, "working on a PC with less RAM, a lower processor frequency, etc. under Windows Vista is very difficult."
The confirmation request to remove the pre-installed Microsoft Windows from a Fujitsu Siemens Computers computer is a secret document, according to the company.
"Save" manufacturers could be the option in which ordering a laptop directly from the manufacturer would be possible in an individual configuration (by analogy with the automotive market). But even if the representative office has its own virtual store with a version for Russian customers (like, for example, Samsung), then it does not differ in any additional service from the usual "virtual storefronts" of retail chains (although, in theory, it should) . Thus, instead of the expected working "bunch" of hardware and software, advanced users get Windows Vista, and all this in combination does not always work satisfactorily.
"Everyone remembers well how the market perceived Windows Millenium. About the same thing happened with Windows Vista, - Viktor Alksnis is sure. - But in the first case, Microsoft quickly recalled its product and offered a replacement. In the case of Windows Vista, Microsoft recognized its failure only after Windows 7 loomed on the horizon. massively consume a low-demand OS".
ASUS Service Centers that are authorized to uninstall OEM versions of Windows.
"If Windows had a competitor on the OS market comparable in terms of its market share, or better, two or three such competitors, Windows users would win both in price and quality," Leonid Krivoshein, coordinator of the Cest Internet project, is sure. - Microsoft would be forced to release a more polished OS to the market, constantly lowering prices, not raising them Peripheral manufacturers would have to reckon with other operating systems, make drivers not only for Windows, but also for competing operating systems. the process of creating drivers and firmware, but on the other hand, the output would be more compatible and better solutions, and all sorts of imperfections would be detected already at an early stage.
Good examples in this regard, Mr. Krivoshein says, are the significant price cuts for Microsoft Office since the formation of OpenOffice.org, or more strict adherence to W3C standards in new versions of the browser. Microsoft Internet Explorer after losing significant market share to its main competitors, Mozilla Firefox and Opera. "However, competition is not profitable for a monopolist," he is sure. Microsoft is trying to maintain its position at any cost. Manufacturers are also partly interested in the current state of affairs. machines or buy more expensive hardware. It also benefits peripheral manufacturers because it is cheaper, faster and easier for them to release a product that is compatible with only one version of the OS from the Windows family.
For a more accurate representation of the situation, in addition to familiarizing yourself with this material, we recommend reading the forum on the CEST website, OZPP, as well as the discussion of the first material on this topic on 3DNews.
Basic Steps to Return
It is pointless to judge the effectiveness of the refund schemes offered by vendors for OEM versions of the OS - such regulations will a priori be bureaucratized and "confused": in fact, this is an extra barrier on the user's path to abandon the OEM version of the OS. Over the previous years, not a single vendor offered such a way (even if it was "crooked" in execution) on a voluntary basis - therefore, it is natural that the need to introduce such a system does not give them joy. True, for PC manufacturers this is rather a lesser evil - the introduction of regulations on a voluntary basis gives them the opportunity to "fight off" well-founded claims of regulatory bodies and not bring the matter to large fines.
The procedure for returning the pre-installed Microsoft OS from Samsung.
Even with the current regulations, users will still have to try to get back the overpaid money in vain. In any case, you should carefully read the documents offered by mobile PC manufacturers - they are different for everyone, we will consider both the general part and the nuances. Most of these documents are present on the websites of PC manufacturers - Acer, ASUS, Samsung, Sony, and Lenovo have them.
True, not all vendors have such documents posted online. For example, there is no such section on the BenQ website - the operator "at the other end of the line" help desk sadly stated that "such a section has not yet been created", but, nevertheless, promptly announced to us all the conditions for returns using a printed copy of such a document. There are no such documents on the Russian website of the company Fujitsu. True, when calling the "hot line", the call center employees prefer to play conspiracy - to a verbal question about the procedure for such a return and prices, the operator replied that "this regulation is in front of my eyes, but I have no right to tell you the exact numbers of compensation , this will be possible only after purchasing a mobile PC, when we are sure that you are our buyer." Extremely, to put it mildly, a strange position - we still received the texts, but such an answer from the most ordinary buyer who is just planning to purchase a mobile PC will cause a completely negative reaction.
Microsoft Refund Program operating system for owners of desktop and portable laptops Sony VAIO.
True, the fact that in the call centers of most vendors we called, in principle, they knew about such regulations, and there were no surprised exclamations like "what is it?", as before, was a positive moment. Yes, and in retail chains they have heard about this problem, and in their information systems standard return procedures have already been prescribed - there is a clear instruction to send users with such requests to vendors' service centers, whose phone numbers and addresses are ready to be provided right away by phone. However, in terms of retail outlets (for example, in "White Wind Digital" or "ION") they could not help us - according to call center operators, when buying mobile PCs, sellers only inform users about the coordinates of service centers where it is possible to make a return . But in MVideo they said that when buying equipment from Acer, ASUS and Samsung, an application for abandoning the OS will be provided to the buyer right on the trading floor, then the user takes the computer with him, and the client department contacts him trading network, which helps to deal with this procedure further. True, you won’t be able to avoid visiting the service center (but more on that below).
The main condition for a refund for the OS is not to accept the terms of the EULA when you start working with the computer.
When returning the OS, it is necessary, firstly, for new users, to comply with the deadlines for submitting such an application - they are different for all vendors. From 7 days for ASUS to 30 days for Acer and BenQ. On average - 14 days (for example, Samsung). Moreover, the user of some vendors presents a mobile PC to the service center only in person, and someone (for example, Sony) meets halfway and makes it possible to send it by mail. In this case, the date of treatment is the date of dispatch of the parcel with hardware. In any case, these parameters should be clarified before buying a PC - they tend to change over time.
So far, there are only two companies on the market that postulate a refund for the OEM version of the OS to those users who, for some reason, did not receive sufficient information about the refund procedure for the unused pre-installed OS at the time of purchase of the device. The Fuiitsu regulation states that the statute of limitations for such statements is 36 months. And the ASUS document will clarify that upon a written request, the situation will be reviewed and the return mechanism will be applied to everyone, regardless of the date of purchase of the device.
DVD with OEM version of Windows - it is refundable if you abandon the OS.Secondly, it is necessary to accurately imagine the return object. It can be not only a laptop, but also a netbook, and a nettop. Purely theoretically - and desktop computer manufactured by one of the vendors that support OS return. But in order to "demolish" the OS and receive a refund, only the hardware that was purchased in Russia, produced specifically for our country, and also delivered through authorized sales channels in the Russian Federation can be presented to the vendor. Phew - not easy, but logical. That is, it will not work to bring, say, a mobile PC to return the OS from the CIS - all the equipment in representative offices and service centers is "punched" through centralized databases: for this, they also use serial number PC, and an identifier on a sticker with the name of the OS, which must be present on all PCs with an OEM version of the operating system.
But the documents that the user will have to submit in order to return the money are the most common - the actual confirmation request to remove the preinstalled Microsoft Windows OS from the computer (the form of such a document is different for each vendor). By signing such a document, by the way, the user assumes the obligation "in the future not to use the Microsoft Windows Operating System on the specified equipment without purchasing the official licensed version", in addition, he "accepts the fact that the company ... will not provide support on its own software installed by me, including the Operating System, and is not responsible for their compatibility with the hardware of my equipment. The second necessary document is the warranty card for the equipment (the only mark that can be made there is about the removal of the OS) and a receipt confirming the date and place of purchase of the computer. That is, the removal of the OS will take place in the service center or (which is much less common) at the retail partner. The most reasonable refund rules for a version of the Microsoft Windows OS that the user does not need exist only in BenQ and Lenovo: the companies postulate that their buyer can apply for a refund not to the service center, but to the retailer from whom he purchased the equipment (though so far We did not find any store where this would be possible).
Typical view of Certificate of Authenticity.Thirdly, the bundle - in order to return the funds, the user must present the mobile PC itself with an intact COA (Certificate of Authenticity) sticker, the above documents, all documentation for the mobile PC, CDs, DVDs and other media that turned out to be included with a laptop or netbook.
The service center and retail partner will take this kit from the customer and do the job of removing the OS within 3-4 days. Moreover, the user will receive back his mobile PC with a perfectly clean hard drive- no drivers will be provided to work with alternative operating systems or the same XP (if the refusal comes from Vista) will not be provided. Of course, will not be returned and backups OS on disks (check - they should not be opened at the time of transfer to the service center).
Return cost
The main idea of vendors, put into practice regarding the return of money for the OS - "exclusively non-cash payments." That is, there is no cash desk where you need to come with a passport - it is more convenient, because it allows the user not to worry about this and not waste time traveling around the city. The buyer, after the procedure for removing the OS, will receive several hundred or thousand rubles only by bank transfer to his bank account, which he must indicate in the corresponding application. Alternatively, the money will be sent to a plastic card - a bank account exists for it anyway. True, this will not happen instantly, but a couple of weeks after the OS removal procedure is completed. The sender of this transfer will be either an authorized service center, which will further regulate its relationship with the Russian representative office of the vendor on its own, or a regional wholesale partner. Specific prices for returns are indicated in Table No. 1. The data for filling it out was obtained both from the websites of vendors, where the cost of compensation for the return of the OS has already been posted, and with the help of telephone requests to the "hot lines" of PC manufacturers.
Table number 1. Amounts payable to users when they opt out of pre-installed Microsoft OS versions*.Acer** | ASUS | BenQ | Fujutsu*** | Samsung | Sony | Lenovo | |
Microsoft Windows XP Home | 3,3 | 6 | - | - | 5 | 20 | 10 (netbooks) 30 (laptops) |
Windows XP Media Center | - | - | - | - | - | 20 | - |
Microsoft Windows XP Professional | 81 | - | - | - | - | 50 | - |
Windows Vista Home Basic | 27 | 20 | 48 | 31 16 (Russian version) |
18 | 20 | 40 |
Windows Vista Home Premium | 36 | 33 | 73 | 57 (with DVD Playback Pack) 44 (Russian version) |
26,8 | 40 | 60 |
Windows Vista Business | 81 | 48 | - | 70 (with DVD Playback Pack) 69 (Russian version) |
- | 50 | 100 |
Windows Vista Ultimate | 111 | 77 | - | 69 | - | 80 | - |
* Data as of September 21, 2009.
** In the table, we indicate all amounts in c.u. for ease of comparison - prices in Russian rubles were multiplied at the rate of 1 dollar as 30 rubles.
*** Prices in euros indicated in the refund policy are correlated with the dollar as 1 to 1.46 (Forex market data as of 21.09.2009).
Of course, when analyzing these prices, users have a legitimate question - why so little? Because in this table we definitely see an artificially created "price fork" for one and the same version of the OS. Here is the Russian specificity - in the official sales channels, Microsoft offers a boxed OS product at a high price, and in fact the same product in the OEM channel costs an order of magnitude cheaper. For Windows Vista Home Premium, for example, this difference is noticeable to the naked eye - $ 216 for a boxed product and compensation from vendors for the end user - $ 26.8-73. The difference is about 3-8 times with similar software functionality. For Windows Vista Ultimate Russian it's even more revealing - in the store, "boxed" software costs $333, and compensation is in the range of $69-111. Again, the proportion is the same - everyone can do the same calculations themselves. In addition, the service center charges a certain amount of money for the work: this is about 15-18 dollars for each operation to tear off the sticker, draw up an act and "clean up" the user's hard drive. Of course, this amount is deducted from the cost of the OS.
Microsoft Windows Operating System Refund Policy for Lenovo End User Refusal.
Note that the table contains all the data that vendors declare officially - if any operating system is not on the list, then either their products for Russia do not provide for such an OS, or this issue requires additional clarification in the support service and at the time of writing the answer is not known.
Let us separately note the situation with new Windows 7 - the cost of its return has not yet been determined, and this is unlikely to happen in the near future. In addition, as always, the refund scheme for the OS is determined by the manufacturer itself: either a complete computer with OEM programs, or only OEM versions of the software. Of course, in this case, all vendors will only offer a return option with a computer in order to "cut off the oxygen" to users. The fact is that back on September 2, Microsoft introduced new DOEM agreements specifically for Windows 7, where vendors could choose the following wording for the end user agreement (EULA): "if you do not agree with the terms of this license agreement, do not use this software, return the computer with pre-installed software to the manufacturer".
Causes of failures
Although the procedure for waiving an operating system is generally not that difficult, there are certain reasons why an application for a refund of the cost of an operating system may be rejected. Fortunately, the list of these reasons is limited: the user has already registered installed copy software at Microsoft; the certificate of authenticity (COA) label is damaged; the recovery disk has been opened or the integrity of its packaging has been violated; there are no documents confirming the date of purchase, or the period specified by the vendor has already passed since the purchase of the product. In addition, no refunds will be made for personal computers resold - that is, restored or discounted (but the seller must declare this in advance and unambiguously). In addition, despite the varied amount of software that is "molded" to new PCs, vendors issue refunds only for the OEM version of Windows. That is, nothing is required for Linux or Free-DOS. In addition, there is no refund for other applications that are usually installed on a new PC - these are office packages(although trial versions are being installed lately), antiviruses, CD burning software, etc. In any case, if any service center behaves badly and refuses to return money for the OS, it makes sense to make a written request to the Russian representative office of the vendor - usually all complex and individual cases are resolved promptly there.
There are certain features that should be kept in mind. Quite often, in oral conversations on support phones, call-center operators "scare" users by the fact that in the event of a voluntary recall by a manufacturer of personal computers of a similar product group, as well as a computer purchased by a user due to technical defects, hardware with a remote OS may be excluded from such a recall program. But there is nothing to worry about - such situations rarely happen, and reviews are due, for example, to a defective battery or a defective screen: and this will be changed to the consumer in any case.
Note that in the refusal procedures there is another interesting passage of the following content: "after the procedure for the return of the cost of an unused operating system, you lose any free technical support in authorized service centers and call center... related to Windows OS". As if users knew that they had free help from the vendor. In Russian conditions, such support, which operates from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Moscow time with a lunch break and only on weekdays, costs little, and such a service does not provide any significant benefits for owners of OEM versions of the OS.
In addition, the consumer should take into account that the warranty obligations for the "hardware" set forth in the warranty card remain in force, with the exception that the manufacturer disclaims any liability and responsibility for breakdowns and performance degradation that occur when using a mobile PC with other OS.
conclusions
Of course, those return procedures that exist today are not retroactive. For example, financial compensation for the lack of such an opportunity for buyers of mobile PCs who have done this over the past couple of years is out of the question. Unfortunately, our legal system is not so developed.
Unfortunately, it is unlikely that all or a significant part of the computers will be sold without any operating system, which should be additional option for a fee, will be available immediately. As well as the provision that the removal of the OS will take place immediately in the store, and for any PC manufacturer. Despite the fact that these proposals are quite reasonable and feasible, the restructuring of the computer market so radically in a short period of time is, of course, unlikely - it took almost a year for vendors to submit an OS return procedure alone. But there is already some hope for change.