LG Monitors Fill PCs With Adware, and It’s Not Just Recent Displays - Gizmodo

What the report says

Gizmodo reported that some LG monitor owners have found an “LG Monitor App Installer” on their Windows PCs after routine driver updates, with users saying the software produced desktop pop-ups promoting services such as McAfee scam protection. The article, published July 20, 2026, said complaints had appeared on Reddit in recent weeks and noted a Microsoft forum post referencing the app as far back as 2024.

According to Gizmodo, the YouTube channel Gamers Nexus examined the issue and found the installer delivered alongside Windows Update driver activity for an LG UltraGear 34GX900A-B gaming display. Gizmodo said the process reportedly did not present a clear opt-out or explain the app’s purpose, and that Gamers Nexus also saw similar pop-ups on older LG monitors as well as newer models. Gizmodo said it had asked LG which monitors are affected and whether the app collects usage data, but did not report a response in the supplied article text.

The report frames the app as bloatware and adware because it can run without users realizing it and display promotional messages. Gizmodo also pointed to the Microsoft Store listing’s linked LG privacy policy, saying it refers to collection of device usage data and online activity, though the article did not establish what data the monitor installer itself collects.

The issue matters because PC monitors have traditionally been treated as relatively passive peripherals, while automatic software installation through driver channels can make it harder for users to notice or refuse added apps. Gizmodo also included an Alienware statement saying that, as of February 2025, its Command Center installation became opt-in and does not show McAfee or third-party pop-up ads.