LG’s changelog confirms its monitor app installs bloatware on Windows 11, exposing Microsoft’s long-standing problem

https://www.windowslatest.com/2026/07/21/lg-admits-its-monitor-app-installs-bloatware-via-windows-update-and-microsoft-is-letting-it-happen/

257 points · 23 comments · view on lemmy.world

23 Comments

Blackfeathr@lemmy.world · 59 pts · 12d (7 replies)

Why tf do monitors need apps now? Buttons on the side. Basic settings menu. Gotten by fine for decades with that.

Ludicrous0251@piefed.zip · 30 pts · 12d

Realistically, they dont, but LG's PR team will probably give you a speil about updating firmware, bringing new content aware features to the screen, etc.

All bullshit so they can get more data from you.

femtek@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 17 pts · 12d (1 reply)

I believe from what I read it windows auto downloads it as part of the driver.

SnotFlickerman@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 10 pts · 12d

It's literally a documented design in the Windows store

WereCat@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 12d (2 replies)

It doesn’t. It’s just an adware

Zeoic@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 11d (1 reply)

malware*

Their software contains a wiretap

WereCat@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 11d

Does it actually? I mean on Windows. Their TVs for sure do.

UnityDevice@lemmy.zip · 0 pts · 11d

I believe if you want to set up picture-in-picture on LG monitors, you have to use their application - the osd menu can't do it for some reason.

SnotFlickerman@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 24 pts · 12d (3 replies)

Guess I'm going back to VGA then. Pretty sure old VGA shit doesn't transfer metadata about themselves.

(just kidding, I use Linux)

BorgDrone@feddit.nl · 21 pts · 12d (2 replies)

Pretty sure old VGA shit doesn't transfer metadata about themselves.

Pretty sure it did. DDC has been a thing since forever. It certainly existed on VGA.

SnotFlickerman@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 4 pts · 12d (1 reply)

Interesting. I was fighting with KDEs implementation of ddc today because it's fucking crashing my power management system when the monitors go to sleep. I didn't realize it went that far back.

BorgDrone@feddit.nl · 2 pts · 11d

The first version of DDC is from 1994

BlackVenom@lemmy.world · 15 pts · 12d

Windows also installs HP Smart app because it sees printers...

sychthys@lemmy.world · 8 pts · 12d (3 replies)

Yep. An LG Ultragear monitor I've owned for about a year and a half just installed its crap somehow this morning on my work laptop which it's been connected to for that long. I'm pretty sure however it's doing it somehow bypassed the group policy and controls my company is enforcing on it. There's no way they've white listed that kind of bloatware crap with how locked down they need to have these devices.

Trampampoline@sh.itjust.works · 6 pts · 12d (1 reply)

Sounds like a fun lawsuit. I say elevate that shit to the top.

sychthys@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 11d

Right? I plan to alert the relevant sec folks today.

dai@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 11d

Mine from 2020 has not installed any crapware, the only windows machine its been attached to the wife's government issued laptop which is locked down so probably not a good indication.

Probably have to look at a Chinese monitor next time around, smeznug do smeznug things and now LG. Not much else to turn to.

oyzmo@piefed.social · 7 pts · 12d

Window`s time has past, let it RIP.

SaharaMaleikuhm@feddit.org · 4 pts · 11d (1 reply)

Windows users really will put up with anything.

Railcar8095@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 11d

"Bloat me daddy"

CanIFishHere@lemmy.ca · 3 pts · 11d (2 replies)

I'm using an LG as a monitor for years and I've never seen this.

liking625@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 11d (1 reply)

Recent models

CanIFishHere@lemmy.ca · 2 pts · 11d

Makes sense. Too bad, they are my favourite tv brand.