We recently discussed Lenovo’s quiet move to the top of the PC market. It seems the company also has its sights on the mobile space. Reports have surfaced that Lenovo is requesting approval to modify Microsoft’s mobile operating systems Windows 8 and Windows RT. Microsoft has granted Nokia permission to alter Windows 8, but otherwise prohibits device makers from altering Windows 8. Lenovo hopes to change that.

Lenovo’s mobile efforts have almost exclusively focused on Android-based devices for the Chinese market, but last year Lenovo revealed plans to develop a Windows smart phone. Lenovo also invested $800 million to build a mobile research and production facility in May. The company plans to grow its mobile revenue to $1.59 billion by 2014 and multiply that by five in the next five years. Expanding into the Windows mobile market is clearly part of that plan.

Lenovo has sent a team of research and development executives to Microsoft headquarters to request flexibility to modify parts of the user interface and other components of Windows 8 and Windows RT. HTC recently made a similar request to Microsoft. HTC wanted the freedom to customize the home screen of Windows RT to make it unique to its devices. Microsoft refused citing HTC’s low sales numbers and lack of experience. Microsoft took things a step further and excluded HTC from its early software program.

Given the HTC outcome, it’s unlikely that Microsoft will extend even broader rights to Lenovo. However, Microsoft may want to rethink its tight grasp on Windows8/RT. Allowing vendors like Lenovo to have a bit more freedom might increase the number of devices that feature Windows. This could lead to more options for consumers and higher adoption, which wouldn’t be a bad thing for Microsoft given its current position in the mobile market.