● Covered by 5 sources · 6 reportsMedium impact3 neutral
LG Monitors Trigger Unwanted McAfee Ads on Windows PCs
Key points
- LG monitors auto-install McAfee-promoting software on Windows.
- Installations occur without user consent or notifications.
- Unwanted pop-up ads target both new and older monitors.
- Reports over several years suggest increasing occurrences.
- Issue raises privacy concerns among users.
- Gamers Nexus reproduced the behavior with an LG UltraGear 34GX900A-B monitor.
- Windows Update first installed LG extension and software component packages.
- Windows Reliability Monitor showed LG Monitor App Installer appeared one minute later.
- The McAfee popup offered a 30-day trial that would convert into a paid subscription.
- Gamers Nexus also received the popup on an LG UltraFine 32UN880-B purchased three years earlier.
- Microsoft allows developers to pair a Hardware Support App in the Windows Store.
- LG is reportedly pulling a McAfee pop-up ad from the app.
- Gamers Nexus paid $1,200 for the LG UltraGear 3GX900A-B gaming monitor.
- The monitor's price dropped to $600 two days later.
- The app also showed ads for LG Switch, LG Calibration Studio, LG Dual Controller, and LG Channels.
- Gamers Nexus observed McAfee promotions on 31 out of 32 system boots.
- The LG Monitor App Installer also promoted LG's own monitor utilities on one boot.
- User complaints about LG Monitor App Installer date back to at least 2024.
- The app showed pop-ups in the bottom right corner of the homescreen.
- Microsoft's Windows chief, Pavan Davuluri, stated LG agreed to disable the McAfee pop-up.
- The issue was first noticed last week after an automatic Windows Update patch.
- Microsoft's Windows chief, Pavan Davuluri, posted on X about LG's agreement.
- LG sent a statement to Windows Latest defending its behavior.
Automatic Software Installation on LG Monitors
Recent reports show that connecting an LG monitor to a Windows PC can result in the automatic installation of software promoting McAfee antivirus subscriptions. This occurs through the "LG Monitor App Installer," which silently installs via Windows Update without requiring user consent or displaying any notifications.
Broad Impact on Different Models
The issue affects not only new monitors but also older models, as demonstrated by tests on various LG units, such as the UltraGear 34GX900A-B and UltraFine 32UN880-B. The problem's persistence across different models and timeframes indicates a widespread concern.
User and Privacy Concerns
The installation process has raised significant privacy concerns, with many users experiencing unwarranted McAfee subscription ads. The lack of user consent in these installations has led to broader discussions about user privacy in automatic software updates tied to hardware.
Responses and Possible Routes for Users
While some users have turned to forums to express their dissatisfaction, others have sought solutions to block or remove the unexpected software. The situation highlights the need for greater transparency and user control in software installations accompanying hardware devices.
Updates
- The issue was first noticed last week after an automatic Windows Update patch.
- Microsoft's Windows chief, Pavan Davuluri, posted on X about LG's agreement.
- LG sent a statement to Windows Latest defending its behavior.
- Gamers Nexus observed McAfee promotions on 31 out of 32 system boots.
- The LG Monitor App Installer also promoted LG's own monitor utilities on one boot.
- User complaints about LG Monitor App Installer date back to at least 2024.
- The app showed pop-ups in the bottom right corner of the homescreen.
- Microsoft's Windows chief, Pavan Davuluri, stated LG agreed to disable the McAfee pop-up.
- Gamers Nexus reproduced the behavior with an LG UltraGear 34GX900A-B monitor.
- Windows Update first installed LG extension and software component packages.
- Windows Reliability Monitor showed LG Monitor App Installer appeared one minute later.
- The McAfee popup offered a 30-day trial that would convert into a paid subscription.
- Gamers Nexus also received the popup on an LG UltraFine 32UN880-B purchased three years earlier.
- Microsoft allows developers to pair a Hardware Support App in the Windows Store.
- LG is reportedly pulling a McAfee pop-up ad from the app.
- Gamers Nexus paid $1,200 for the LG UltraGear 3GX900A-B gaming monitor.
- The monitor's price dropped to $600 two days later.
- The app also showed ads for LG Switch, LG Calibration Studio, LG Dual Controller, and LG Channels.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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How outlets covered it
LG has agreed to stop displaying McAfee pop-up advertisements from its monitor application following user complaints and intervention from Microsoft. The issue arose after an automatic Windows Update patch installed the "LG Monitor App Installer" without user permission, leading to unwanted ads on Windows 11 PCs. This change addresses concerns about unsolicited software installations and advertising on user systems.
Microsoft has pressured LG to disable McAfee trial pop-ups that appeared on Windows 11 PCs connected to LG monitors. This action addresses user complaints about unwanted software installations and advertisements bundled with monitor drivers.
Microsoft announced that LG will disable McAfee ad pop-ups from its LG Monitor App Installer, an application installed via Windows Update alongside monitor drivers. This change follows user complaints and a report from Gamers Nexus highlighting unwanted advertisements for McAfee and other software appearing on Windows systems connected to LG monitors.
The LG Monitor App Installer installs automatic updates and promotes McAfee ads on Windows 11 without user consent. This behavior has resulted in complaints from users experiencing unwanted pop-ups, reflecting broader concerns about software installations and user privacy.
Connecting certain LG monitors to Windows PCs can lead to automatic installation of software promoting McAfee subscriptions, without user consent. This behavior also affects older monitor models and raises privacy concerns regarding the software's system access.
New LG monitors display McAfee ads as part of an auto-installed app after connection. This trend of unsolicited adware from hardware installations raises concerns about user experience and privacy.