Is it a Virus?
NO - Safe
Typically located in C:\Program Files\Lenovo\Telemetry\lenovo-telemetry.exe
Warning
Telemetry runs in background
Multiple background components may start at login
Can I Disable?
YES
Disable via Lenovo Vantage or Windows Services; may affect Lenovo diagnostics
What is lenovo-telemetry.exe?
lenovo-telemetry.exe is the Lenovo Telemetry Service executable that runs in the background to collect hardware, software, and usage data for product improvement. It helps Lenovo diagnose issues and optimize drivers and features, often tied to Lenovo Vantage.
The Telemetry service operates as a background component, collecting anonymized telemetry and crash data and sending it to Lenovo servers using secure channels for analysis and updates.
Quick Fact: Lenovo Telemetry aggregates data across devices to tailor software updates and performance improvements.
Types of Lenovo Telemetry Components
- Telemetry Service: Core background service that coordinates data collection
- Data Collector: Gathers hardware and usage statistics
- Update Manager: Checks for Lenovo driver and software updates
- Diagnostics Reporter: Sends crash and health data
- Event Logger: Records user interaction events for analysis
- Telemetry UI Helper: Supports Lenovo Vantage integration
Is lenovo-telemetry.exe Safe?
Yes, lenovo-telemetry.exe is safe when it is the legitimate Lenovo Telemetry Service file located in the correct Lenovo directories and digitally signed by Lenovo.
Is lenovo-telemetry.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real lenovo-telemetry.exe is NOT a virus. Malware may mimic names; always verify path and signature.
How to Tell if lenovo-telemetry.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in
C:\Program Files\Lenovo\Telemetry\lenovo-telemetry.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Lenovo\Telemetry\lenovo-telemetry.exe. Any other path is suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click the file or the running process in Task Manager > Open file location > Right-click lenovo-telemetry.exe > Properties > Digital Signatures. Should show "Lenovo" as the signer.
- Resource Usage: Normal usage is 0.5-5% CPU and 20-120 MB RAM. Constant high usage on idle is suspicious.
- Behavior: Lenovo Telemetry should run in background and only communicate with Lenovo servers when enabled or during updates.
Red Flags: If lenovo-telemetry.exe is missing its Lenovo signature, located in unusual folders (Temp, AppData), runs without Lenovo Vantage installed, or uses persistent high bandwidth, scan with reputable antivirus.
Why Is lenovo-telemetry.exe Running on My PC?
Lenovo Telemetry runs to collect usage and hardware data for product improvement, driver updates, and diagnostics. It may operate as a background service and communicate with Lenovo servers.
Reasons it's running:
- Background Data Collection: Gathers anonymized usage and hardware data to help Lenovo optimize software.
- Driver and Firmware Updates: Checks for Lenovo driver, BIOS, and software updates to improve compatibility.
- System Diagnostics: Collects crash reports and health metrics to assist troubleshooting.
- Lenovo Vantage Integration: Works with Lenovo Vantage to provide integrated telemetry insights and settings.
- Startup and Background Tasks: May be configured to launch at Windows startup to ensure timely data collection.
Can I Disable or Remove lenovo-telemetry.exe?
Yes, you can disable lenovo-telemetry.exe. You can limit data collection or stop it, but some Lenovo features may require telemetry for optimal operation.
How to Stop lenovo-telemetry.exe
- Disable via Lenovo Vantage: Open Lenovo Vantage > Privacy or Data & Diagnostics > toggle Telemetry/Diagnostics off.
- Disable Startup: Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) > Startup tab > Disable Lenovo Telemetry or Lenovo Vantage components.
- Services: Run services.msc > Find Lenovo Telemetry Service > set Startup type to Manual or Disabled; stop the service.
- Stop Background Apps: In Lenovo Vantage or Windows Settings > Privacy > Diagnostics & Feedback, reduce data sharing and background activity.
- Re-check: Restart the PC and verify lenovo-telemetry.exe remains stopped if disabled.
How to Uninstall Lenovo Telemetry
- ✔ Windows Settings > Apps > Apps & Features > Lenovo Telemetry (if present) > Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a program > Lenovo Telemetry > Uninstall
- ✔ If bundled with Lenovo Vantage or System Update, uninstall those products or use their internal options to disable telemetry
Common Problems: High Telemetry Resource Use
If lenovo-telemetry.exe is consuming excessive resources or causing issues on startup:
Common Causes & Solutions
- Background data collection enabled: Disable or limit data collection in Lenovo Vantage or Windows Settings; set telemetry to minimal.
- Frequent update checks: Adjust update check frequency in Lenovo Vantage; ensure only essential updates are enabled.
- Conflicting Lenovo apps: Disable telemetry components in Lenovo Vantage if other Lenovo apps are conflicting.
- Outdated software: Update Lenovo software and drivers to latest versions; reboot after updates.
- Misidentified processes: Verify path: C:\Program Files\Lenovo\Telemetry\lenovo-telemetry.exe; ensure signature from Lenovo.
- Malware masquerading as telemetry: Run full system antivirus and malware scan; verify digital signatures and path.
Quick Fixes:
1. Open Task Manager and locate lenovo-telemetry.exe processes
2. Open Lenovo Vantage > Privacy/Diagnostics and disable telemetry if desired
3. Disable startup entries related to Lenovo Telemetry
4. Update Lenovo software through Lenovo Vantage
5. Run a full system antivirus scan if abnormal behavior persists
Frequently Asked Questions
Is lenovo-telemetry.exe a virus?
No, the legitimate lenovo-telemetry.exe file from Lenovo is not a virus. Verify its path is C:\Program Files\Lenovo\Telemetry\lenovo-telemetry.exe and that it is digitally signed by Lenovo.
Why is lenovo-telemetry.exe using CPU?
Telemetry events and background data collection can spike CPU briefly. If it stays high, check Lenovo Vantage settings, disable unnecessary telemetry, and scan for malware.
Can I delete lenovo-telemetry.exe?
You can disable or uninstall the Telemetry component or Lenovo Vantage; deleting the file without proper uninstallation may cause other Lenovo features to fail.
Can I disable lenovo-telemetry.exe at startup?
Yes. Use Task Manager > Startup or Services to disable the service; this prevents automatic startup but may affect updates and diagnostics.
How do I opt out of Lenovo Telemetry?
Open Lenovo Vantage > Privacy/Diagnostics and disable data collection; in Windows Privacy settings, limit diagnostics data and background data sharing.
What should I check if I suspect malware impersonation?
Check file location, digital signature, and compare with Lenovo official downloads. Run antivirus and verify the process details in Task Manager.
Will disabling telemetry affect Lenovo updates?
Disabling telemetry may limit some automated improvement features, but you can still receive critical security updates through Lenovo software channels.