LG monitors deploy advertising

The combination of LG monitors and Windows PCs is causing unwelcome headlines. In the US at least, some of these systems display annoying ads prominently after every PC startup; they overlay all other screen content on the right edge. Mostly, this is advertising for antivirus software from McAfee, but sometimes also for other LG apps, for example for calibrating a display.

The reason is the app “LG Monitor App Installer”, which is automatically downloaded in the background via Windows Update and lands in the system autostart. Windows compares the device IDs and installs suitable additional software if necessary.

The LG Monitor App Installer has been around since 2023. Since then, questions have occasionally arisen about what the app does in the background. Complaints about the ad pop-ups have been increasing since July. They correlate with an app update from June 29, 2026.

The Youtube channel Gamers Nexus ordered a new LG monitor for testing and connected it to a Windows PC. The Windows Update history proves: Without any user intervention, drivers are updated first, followed by the app download. Later, another PC with a three-year-old LG monitor installed the app unasked. We are not aware of any such cases in Europe so far.

Unrestricted permissions

Particularly alarming in this case: It is an app that is allowed to use “all system resources”. So the app does not run on the basis of the universal Windows platform (UWP) like many other apps, and is therefore not restricted by any sandbox. Instead, the app has the same rights as a manual Win32 program installation.

Microsoft writes about app permissions:

“Access all your files, peripheral devices, apps, programs, and registry: The app has the ability to read or write to all your files (including documents, pictures, and music) and registry settings, which allows the app to make changes to your computer and settings. It can use any peripheral devices that are either attached or part of your device (such as cameras, microphones, or printers) without notifying you. It also has access to your location, and can use platform features, such as location history, app diagnostics, and more, which are denied to most Store apps. You can't control most of the permissions for this app in Settings > Privacy. Note that while the app has the ability to access these resources, it might not actually do so.”

These permissions might be due to the Electron framework, without LG actively exploiting them. However, alarm bells should ring when a system installs an app with such far-reaching powers unnoticed.

Example apps from the Microsoft Store that also use “all system resources” include WhatsApp, ChatGPT, iTunes, Spotify, Firefox (app version), Edge, and Teams. However, users actively choose to install these with a notice about the permissions. Win32 programs, which are installed with .exe files, for example, have no restrictions outside of user rights anyway.

Group policies for remedy

Automatic installations via Windows Update using device IDs can be switched off using the Local Group Policy Editor if necessary, as affected users also note on Reddit. To do this, search for “gpedit” in Start and open it. Under Computer Configuration, expand Administrative Templates and then System. Under Device Installation, activate the following item by right-clicking: “Prevent automatic download of applications associated with device metadata”.

(mma)