Microsoft Asks LG to Stop Pushing McAfee Ads to Windows 11 Users With LG Monitors

If you’ve been seeing annoying pop-ups on your PC after connecting it to an LG monitor, Microsoft is putting an end to that. A week ago, a video from Gamer Nexus (via The Verge) revealed that LG monitors can install the company’s LG Monitor app automatically via Windows Update, and that app also includes McAfee adware.

LG’s aggressive practices caught Microsoft’s attention last week after a tweet from a Windows user complaining about the LG Monitor app blew up, with Epic CEO Tim Sweeney reacting to it and tagging Pavan Davuluri, EVP, Windows + Devices at Microsoft. The exec was forced to respond and said that his team would look into the situation.

Two days ago, Davuluri followed up and said that Microsoft asked LG to stop showing these pop-ups to its customers using Windows PCs. “We’ve connected with the team at LG and as an immediate next step, they have agreed to disable the McAfee pop-up from their app. We appreciate LG working with us toward a shared goal of a better experience for our mutual customers. We will keep improving here with our ecosystem partners,” Davuluri said.

Thanks again for bringing this to our attention. We’ve connected with the team at LG and as an immediate next step, they have agreed to disable the McAfee pop-up from their app. We appreciate LG working with us toward a shared goal of a better experience for our mutual customers.…

— Pavan Davuluri (@pavandavuluri) July 22, 2026

Even though these forced app installs and pop-ups are obviously a bad experience for Windows 11 users, LG defended its practices in a statement shared with Windows Latest. The company emphasized that while its LG Monitor App is automatically installed via an official Windows distribution process, the McAfee app isn’t.

“LG Electronics reiterates 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 be installed only if a user actively chooses to proceed with the installation and provides consent. Under no circumstances is McAfee installed automatically or without user authorization. The LG Monitor App Installer does not access, collect, or transmit any customer personal data.”

Well, it’s good that Microsoft, which said earlier this year that it would address “pain points” reported by Windows 11 users, is finally paying attention to what its hardware manufacturers are doing. While you may often have to deal with manufacturer bloatware when purchasing a new PC, connecting a Windows PC to an external monitor should remain a hassle-free experience.