Windows 7 forum: Lenovo ThinkVantage Toolbox

I just received this today as an automatic download from Lenovo. I can't tell you what I think because it doesn't work unless I activate "online support." But it says that it will "access the Internet to tailor the user experience to [my] system."

To me that means advertising. I'm not interested in getting advertising pushed at me.

It doesn't say what information it will take from my system, whether that is one time or continuous, or what it will do with that information. I am simply not willing to dig through Lenovo's long privacy policy to find out. I also know that privacy policies can change any moment. I'm not willing to give up my personal information unless I know exactly what I'm getting in return.

Also, if I give an external website unfettered access to my computer I have to worry about intrusions by malware and other spyware. I run a firewall and antivirus software but since this program is from Lenovo I have concern that the access could be at a more basic level that would bypass those key protections.

I also don't know the benefits of the ThinkVantage Toolbox. If Lenovo wants me to accept advertising, give up all my personal information, and risk malware, then the program better be spectacular.

I installed the Lenovo ThinkVantage Toolbox in an effort for the "one-stop-shop" experience after a few sporadic freezes and unexplained shut-downs. I used it to update drivers and then also utilized some of the PC-Doctor tools like the drive check, etc. Thankfully, it resolved what must have been hard-disk erratta.

However, i recently _un-installed_ the Levnovo ThinkVantage Toolbox because:
1) even after repeated windows updates _from the toolbox_, ThinkVantage claimed i had never run a windows update.
2) ThinnkVantage Toolbox regularly interrupted me with Advertising or requests to upgrade, etc.
3) Thinkvantage Toolbox claimed i did not have a firewall running, when Windows Firewall was Active
4) The final straw...ThinkVantage took over all wireless connectivity (wi-fi Bluetooth, etc) ...and failed to deliver. Windows Wireless Networking would automatically find and connect to my regular Home/Office/2nd Office/Coffeshop wif-fi networks and ThinkVantage a)required me to change "locations" b) search for "new" networks and then c) manually connect. Even after changing settings back to "use windows networking to control wireless networks", the Lenovo ThinkVantage Toolbox kept overriding and preventing access. These are networks i use all the time: work (WPA-TKIP), client-site (hidden guest WEP network), coffee-shop(wide open) and home(not telling).

Good bye Lenovo ThinkVantange Toolbox - i think i have an advantage thinking on my own.