Microsoft

Unwanted Guests: McAfee Pop-Up Ads Invade LG Monitors

Published

6 hours ago

July 21, 2026

LG’s monitors come with an unwanted addition for Windows: McAfee pop-up ads

Windows 11 Automatically Installs LG Monitor App Without User Permission

A recent video from Gamers Nexus has shed light on a concerning issue where Windows 11 automatically installs LG driver updates and the LG Monitor App Installer without seeking the user’s permission. This occurs immediately after connecting a new LG UltraGear monitor to a PC running Windows 11. Users are left unaware of these installations as there is no notification or permission pop-up.

According to reports, this auto-installation of LG’s app has been observed as far back as 2024. Recent user complaints on Reddit have highlighted instances where large pop-up ads for McAfee and LG’s apps suddenly appeared on the homescreen without warning. Gamers Nexus’s test revealed that these pop-ups occurred in 31 out of 32 bootups.

Microsoft’s policy allows developers to pair a Hardware Support App in the Windows Store that automatically installs based on the device’s metadata. However, even Microsoft acknowledges the potential confusion and frustration this may cause users. The description of this feature includes a warning about the lack of notification to the user during installation.

The automatic installation feature does not provide a notification to the user when the app is installed. Some users may find this experience confusing and frustrating, and give your app a bad rating.

Notably, Dell follows a similar practice by auto-installing its Alienware Command Center app when an Alienware monitor is connected to a Windows system. However, the added issue of notification spam sets LG’s case apart.

Gamers Nexus highlights that the LG Monitor App Installer, as stated on its Windows Store page, requests permission to “use all system resources” and “access your Internet connection.” Additionally, LG’s privacy policy mentions the automatic collection of device data, internet activity, and geolocation information. These actions raise concerns as the program is installed without the explicit permission or consent of the user.