Global proposal to make preinstalled desktop OS optional to lower the upfront cost of PCs

A modest regulatory tweak is being proposed to address a hidden cost in many new personal computers: the embedded price of a paid desktop operating system. Instead of banning preinstalled systems or forcing technical changes, the proposal would require vendors to offer a clear opt-out at setup and refund the software license portion to buyers who decline it. The rationale is straightforward: a nontrivial slice of final device price is attributable to the OS, and buyers who plan to install an alternative should not bear that charge. Transparency advocates note that separating component costs sharpens competition and helps buyers compare offers on meaningful terms rather than opaque bundles. The change also has second-order effects for the circular economy; making software costs explicit improves the value equation for refurbished and donated machines, where unused licenses often obscure resale pricing. Operationally the adjustment leans on systems already in place—unique device identifiers, activation checks, and digital refunds—so the technical lift is limited compared with heavier-handed interventions. Critics may flag contractual complexity, volume licensing arrangements with large vendors, and accounting treatments, but these are implementation hurdles rather than fatal flaws. From a policy standpoint this approach mirrors precedents in other utilities where separable components are unbundled to protect consumer choice and foster competitive markets. The economic case is amplified by industry scale: annual PC volumes make even small percentage changes meaningful for access and adoption. If regulators adopt a refund-right for declined software, low-income buyers and educational purchasers could see measurable reductions in entry cost without losing the option to buy a machine ready to use. The proposal retains convenience for mainstream consumers while creating a fair exit path for those who prefer alternative operating systems or refurbished hardware. Ultimately, the idea reframes a longstanding commercial practice as a solvable consumer-friction problem rather than a natural market constraint.