[Klaustrophobia]

My current one is from 2006.  The new one I haven't bought yet.  I have no idea when it shipped to the retailer, but it seems to not be this year's model as it's not on Lenovo's website without searching for it.

[jr2]

I think you can D'L an 8.1 ISO from M$ (or verify the checksum from a non-M$ source with the M$ one) and install that using your 8.1 key on the bottom of the laptop.  Has worked for me with 7.

[BirdofPrey]

Don't windows 8 machines have the full OS on the recovery partition

[Klaustrophobia]

The recovery partition includes the OEM bloatware.  They also don't put the key on the bottom of the laptop (or anywhere else).  You have to use some utility that will read it for you.

[S-99]

For legitimate microsoft windows 7 iso recovery. And for legitimate microsoft windows 8 media installation creation.

The windows 7 link should give you a download to windows 7 if you have a valid key to authorize a download. For windows 8 media creation, you should be able to create an installable iso. However, i don't know very much about the media creation tool.

These technically should both give an escape to inclusive bloatware.