If you've bought a pre-built computer, desktop, or laptop, you've paid for Windows. Traditionally, we've called this the Microsoft Windows Tax[0]

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bundling_of_Microsoft_Windows

- This is why I never feel guilty about "pirating" Windows. I've already paid for it!

huh, good point! never saw it that way. never bought a pre-built myself, but the first PC i got when i was a kid was a pre-built with Windows on it.

the argument i always used is that Windows feels like spyware, and slowly seems to turn into it. showing me ads, selling my data. don't see why i should pay for this.

You mean install an illegal copy? I guess everything is free if you steal it.