Microsoft is pressuring LG to stop unwanted McAfee ads

Microsoft has stepped in to prevent Windows 11 users using LG displays from being hit by annoying McAfee beta popups. In response to complaints about LG’s bloatware, Microsoft’s Windows chief said: Pavan Davuluri said LG has agreed to immediately disable the McAfee pop-up from the LG Monitor App Installer, and pledged that Microsoft will “continue to improve here with our ecosystem partners.”

This campaign A backlash followed on Large pop-up ads for McAfee antivirus LG’s own apps appear on Windows 11 PCs after connecting them to LG displays. When connected, Windows Driver Update was silently installing LG driver updates and the LG Monitor app installer without explicit permission from the user – with reports of an automatic installation issue It is dated 2024.

LG defended its behavior in a long, uncredited statement sent to Latest Windows This seems to completely miss the point:

“LG Electronics confirms that McAfee is not installed automatically and is never installed without the user’s explicit consent. The LG Monitor app installer is distributed through Microsoft’s official Windows distribution process, which included McAfee as an option. McAfee will only be installed if the user chooses to proceed with the installation and provides consent. McAfee is not installed automatically under any circumstances or without the user’s permission. The LG Monitor app installer does not access, collect or transmit any customer personal data.”

LG isn’t the only company offering automatic installation features EdgeTom Warren has pointed this out before Dell does the automatic installation likewise Alienware Command Center application on Windows when connected to Alienware displays. Tom also recently discovered that LG is pushing annoying ad notifications on their TVs upon startupSo Microsoft’s involvement can only extend so far.