Some Lenovo PCs Ask to Install Bloatware Even After a Clean Install of Windows
First Superfish , now this: some Lenovo users have discovered a secret “feature” where Lenovo will ask you to reinstall its bloated software even if you do a clean install of Windows.
The utility was recently discovered and popularized on the Ars Technica forums . The details are a little tricky, but essentially it works like this: Many Lenovo models come with something called the Lenovo Service Engine, which is a BIOS-level utility that installs after Windows is installed, even if it’s a blank non-Lenovo drive. You will then be prompted to download all Lenovo bundled utilities, even if you are not connected to the Internet. (If you are connected to the internet, it will send some system data back to Lenovo as well).
In addition, if you are running Windows 8, Lenovo will take advantage of the Microsoft feature built into the OS that does this, so this is both Lenovo and Microsoft’s fault.
To end users, this seems more of a mild annoyance than anything else (since you can choose to “cancel” at the prompt), but it’s also a security risk, especially with some vulnerabilities that won’t be patched if you don’t. myself.
To view the affected models and instructions for uninstalling Lenovo Service Engine, click the link below. You can also see a more detailed analysis of the story on TechWorm .
Lenovo Service Engine (LSE) BIOS for Notebooks | via TechWorm