Ubuntu erased, XP installed without permission

[screaminj3sus]

This is standard operating procedure as far as I'm aware when computers go to the service centre.

This. You should always either back up your data or remove the drive (or both) when sending a computer in for repair. The service techs are generally only trained with windows, and only support windows so this isn't surprising to me.

[Swagman]

So you now have an illegal install of Windows XP ?

[doja]

Wait a week
I'm sure you will get the bill from Microsoft for the XP license.

I'm sorry for the lost of your data.

[madverb]

I would contact Microsoft and report the company for installing pirated copies. I would also be contacting any local consumer complaints department.
I don't think you are angry enough about this.

[lisati]

I would contact Microsoft and report the company for installing pirated copies. I would also be contacting any local consumer complaints department.
I don't think you are angry enough about this.

[CharlesA]

I would contact Microsoft and report the company for installing pirated copies. I would also be contacting any local consumer complaints department.
I don't think you are angry enough about this.

I'd do that, but verify it is indeed a pirated copy (which is likely, if you didn't get a CoA or anything else with it...)

[monkeybrain2012]

Wow! Very unprofessional. Did you demand an explanation? What was the excuse?

[Dr. C]

I would contact Microsoft and report the company for installing pirated copies. I would also be contacting any local consumer complaints department.
I don't think you are angry enough about this.

https://reporting.bsa.org

[Paqman]

So you now have an illegal install of Windows XP ?

Not necessarily, a lot of machines have the license sticker stuck to them. It's not the actual disk you pay for with Windows, it's the license, which in the case of an OEM license stays with the machine.

However, it was unprofessional of the repairer to wipe it without warning that they would do so. Check that it's not buried in some fine print somewhere before complaining.

[Jakin]

I still think a professional repair, they ought to use their own HDD if they needed winXP, the OP did not complain about a software issue (right?) That doesn't give them right to blank personal data, just because they believe it to be best.
I could see if complaining about the software.

I guess as someone had said- next time, keep your HDD. But it shouldn't come to that! Just like you don't expect them to hack your HDD, for any information, you don't expect them to bog any OS you use with company malware just because they "believe" it is best.