I would have to agree with the ease of loading vanilla windows. I've done it quite easily with both an Alienware 14 (2013) and a Sony Vaio that is 4 years old. I downloaded the proper copy of Windows from the MS site, which was Win 7 Ultimate 64bit for the Sony, and make a disk or usb stick. Then it was a few prompts and that was it. Instead of letting Windows Update load the drivers, I found my specific build on the Sony site with the correct drivers for all the bits and pieces. I did not install any of the free software, or Sony-specific software, which was easily to discern on the downloads page. Same for the Alienware. BTW, I have installed, used and programmed on OSX, Minix, FreeBSD, Ubuntu, Backbox, and others. I find the Windows/Linux/BSD/OS X comments on usage to be about preference rather than actual steps involved.

EDIT: I had the OEM Product Key on the Sony and AW, and they both registered fine without a problem, no need for pirated versions or any taxes.