LG’s monitors come with an unwanted addition for Windows: McAfee pop-up ads
LG monitor users are reporting that Windows 11 is automatically installing LG software and McAfee antivirus without user permission. These installations are causing persistent pop-up advertisements on the desktop, leading to frustration among consumers.
Why it matters
This highlights concerns regarding bloatware and the lack of transparency in how Windows handles third-party hardware support apps.
A video from Gamers Nexus explains how, after connecting a new LG UltraGear monitor to a PC running Windows 11 for the first time, Windows Update is silently installing LG driver updates and the LG Monitor App Installer, without so much as a permission pop-up or notification. The app doesn’t appear to include special controls of its own, instead simply pointing users to LG’s other apps, as well as McAfee antivirus.
[Media: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9uefFYe6bM]
There are reports about LG’s app auto-installing as far back as 2024, but Gamers Nexus’s test follows recent user complaints on Reddit about large pop-up ads for McAfee and LG’s own apps suddenly appearing in the bottom right corner of the homescreen, which popped up for GN on 31 out of 32 bootups.
[Image: McAfee is shown alongside LG’s own apps on the Windows Store listing for LG Monitor App Installer. https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/lg-monitor-app-installer-msoft-store-mcafee.jpg?quality=90&strip=all]
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