While the majority of you will be sticking with Windows on a newly purchased desktop or laptop, there are some who find it a bit annoying that it is no longer an "optional" component on most retail machines anymore. However, it seems that with a bit of perseverance, you actually can get a refund on an unwanted installation of Windows. In the particular example, a man drew off the experience of another reporter who managed it, and after fighting his way through Dell's phone systems was able to return the license and get the cost - $52 - returned to him. He provided some questions they asked and what his responses were, mostly because they of course don't want you returning it. Of course, they want the CD key returned.

While that may be more than a hassle than you're willing to put up with and indeed a hassle for the company in question as well, it is interesting to see that it actually can be done.