Microsoft responds to LG monitors installing McAfee ads on Windows. But with Microsoft approving of the practice, there may be more monitors installing LG’s bloatware:.
LG also responded to the outrage and defended itself, adding that McAfee is never installed without a user’s explicit consent and pointed to Microsoft’s Windows distribution process.
Details
Publication Windows Latest noted that the app recently got an update, “and its changelog mentions McAfee as an additional app,” which could be what prompted more people to see the ads…and then complain about them.
Following Gamers Nexus’ video, a Microsoft representative stated that the LG Monitor App Installer will no longer show pop-up ads for McAfee, in a development tied to the same story.
Separately, As mentioned, some LG monitors appear to have been installing LG Monitor App Installer onto Windows computers for months.
Microsoft allows Universal Windows Platform device apps “to automatically install when the user connects their device to the PC” if the user hasn’t opted out of Recommended Settings during installation and is connected to the Internet and signed into the Microsoft Store.
LG Monitor App Installer then pushes ads for a 30-day free trial for McAfee, as well as other software, via a pop-up on affected systems, multiple users have reported.
LG Monitor App Installer’s description on the Microsoft Store states that the app is for users to “easily install and use apps supported by your monitor through LG Monitor App Installer” and lists McAfee as one of those apps.
App is installed through Windows Update when certain LG monitors connect to a PC, in a development tied to the same story.
Separately, LG is reportedly pulling a McAfee pop-up ad from a controversial app that some of its monitors have stealthily installed on connected computers.
Statements
«and its changelog mentions McAfee as an additional app,»
Context
In response to a social media post about the app, Pavan Davuluri, EVP of Windows and devices at Microsoft, said this week:.
However, the removal of McAfee doesn’t address the problem of a peripheral installing ad-pushing software onto people’s computers, according to the latest reporting on the story.
Available information indicates that Paying, in some cases, over $1,000 for a monitor that ends up forcing ads onto Windows is disruptive and a privacy concern.
Citing user complaints, Gamers Nexus listed the following monitors as auto-installing LG Monitor App Installer onto PCs, in a development tied to the same story.
Separately, per a Microsoft support page for Windows developers spotted by Windows Latest.
Following Microsoft’s intervention, LG has agreed to disable the McAfee ad pop-up in its Monitor App Installer as an immediate step, just days after public backlash about a driver update that silently installed LG’s app and pushed McAfee trial ads on connected PCs.
Pulling in under 200 views, Pavan’s reply didn’t reach the wider audience, all while multiple outlets, including our own detailed report on LG’s monitor app installing bloatware through Windows Update, had already covered the story in depth.
Available information indicates that Microsoft says LG is disabling the McAfee pop-up in Windows 11.
What to watch next
Regardless of how LG wants to frame it, Pavan Davuluri, Microsoft’s EVP of Windows and Devices, has now confirmed that LG is turning the pop-up off, in a development tied to the same story.
