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LG monitors silently install software through Windows Update without consent

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Re: LG monitors silently install software through Windows Update without consent

#261

Seriously, why use Windows in 2026? Such a hideous OS and ecosystem with endless malware, backdoors, and dark patterns.

You know why desktop Linux doesn't have much malware? Because ~no one uses it. That's it. Once you get users, you get malware. The rest of your comment is just as ignorant.

There is plenty of malware for Linux. The difference is that the OS won't install it for you.

Re: LG monitors silently install software through Windows Update without consent

#262
Similarly after getting annoyed at my TV for showing ads and other privacy issues, I have started working on a smart TV version of the casting device my startup makes.

I have been using it for both personal use and other work use-cases, here is a demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jObZzI2_pv0

Just like youtube, I can log in to my netflix, amazon prime and then use the touch screen to choose the movie to watch and it gets played on the external screen. I am building it how I would use it as a power user.

Re: LG monitors silently install software through Windows Update without consent

#263
post #121

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you have been reading the news about Windows 11 then I will enlighten you -- they view the Windows 11 consumer business as a cost center that must be mitigated. As such, all manner of monetization has been approved and it will continued to be approved without regard for user experience. This article obviates that this is not an LG problem, it is a Microsoft problem. Also, don't fool yourself if you think this won'…

As long as you have a computer that can run unsigned software, or software signed by yourself, this won't come to Linux as non-optional features: you can always recompile your kernel removing things you do not want like this.

Ubuntu snap

Re: LG monitors silently install software through Windows Update without consent

#264

Earlier quoted context omitted.

MS owns Typescript and NPM and Azure and LinkedIn. I know you meant programming on Windows, but even if Windows disappears, many of us will owe our job to Microsoft.

And VS Code, and Github...

Soooo... Not anything we couldn't miss.

Re: LG monitors silently install software through Windows Update without consent

#265

This is so much worse that the title makes it out to be: 1. Your OS installs malware (technically manufacturers software) from a 3rd party vendor in background, zero user interaction 2. Happens as soon as you or anyone with physical access plug in a device into the HDMI port 3. That malware has internet and full system access, no sandboxing 4. It starts with every system boot 5. This software gets installed when you…

>This situation has.. no precedent as far as I can tell.. Printer, mouse, tablet and display tablet makers use this to insert their crapware since at least Windows Vista or Windows 7, I think. The last one I remember is plugging a Razer mouse just to watch it instantly pulling 1.5GB of bloated junk with "telemetry" exfiltrating the data from my gaming PC in realtime. At least it doesn't leave my mouse in a non-workin…

Back in my Window days. I would start the driver installation and let it sit. Open the temp folder and copy content the install extracted to a new directory. Cancel the installation. Open Device Manager and install the drivers from there so non of the excessive bloat was installed.

This worked greater with being an IT consultant. The client's machine to run smoother and drivers installed fast since they would buy multiples of the same equipment at once.

Now I only use Linux on personal equipment. You have to pay me to use Microsoft products. Microsoft has become shit-ware.

Re: LG monitors silently install software through Windows Update without consent

#266
post #259

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>This situation has.. no precedent as far as I can tell.. Printer, mouse, tablet and display tablet makers use this to insert their crapware since at least Windows Vista or Windows 7, I think. The last one I remember is plugging a Razer mouse just to watch it instantly pulling 1.5GB of bloated junk with "telemetry" exfiltrating the data from my gaming PC in realtime. At least it doesn't leave my mouse in a non-workin…

The last one I remember is plugging a Razer mouse Oh, yeah. Bought this overpriced but heavily hyped Razer mouse and it wouldn't even work right until it had an internet connection. A MOUSE. I'd never encountered something so blatantly customer hostile in my life. Never even looked at another Razer product, never will, and will tell anyone who will listen that Razer is a terrible company full of objectively terrible…

Razer was always low quality garbage at premium prices. Gamer marketing for you.

Re: LG monitors silently install software through Windows Update without consent

#267

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Linux is great if you win the hardware support lottery. I've had several laptops where audio just doesn't work even on rolling releases. Or the screen freezing up constantly. This was all with relatively new hardware within the last year or so. My issue with the Linux community is if you bring this up it's all of a sudden the fault of everyone but Linux. The end user should of picked better hardware. The hardware OEM…

> Linux is great if you win the hardware support lottery. This is fairly easy to do by just not buying the absolute latest hardware. Installing something like Fedora in a 8-12 month old laptop I just can't recall last time I had issues.

How exactly would a new Linux user know this ?

What happens when they install Ubuntu and the Wifi doesn't even work ? An experienced Linux user might figure it out.

A new user would, very reasonably, assume Linux doesn't work and reinstall Windows.

Re: LG monitors silently install software through Windows Update without consent

#269
post #236
post #193

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Aren’t ms completely dependent on consumer windows for mindshare? I doubt anyone would bother getting into programming with ms tech unless they just happened to run it on their desktop.

I don't think they are anymore. The vast majority of ordinary person computer/internet use has already moved to smartphones, tablets, smart TVs and other such devices. It seems nowadays many people don't even know the basics about how to use a desktop operating system.

Right. Laptops are basically work (or school) tools now for a lot of people. They might have one tucked away that they pull out now and then when they need it, similar to a power drill or a sewing machine. It’s not a daily use device.

I think it helped Microsoft historically that people used their operating systems at home, although even then a lot of people would have learned Windows at work or school first.

Re: LG monitors silently install software through Windows Update without consent

#270
post #250

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I had a mouse that would keep on installing its driver when plugged in, even with this setting off. I remember Windows keeping a cache of autodownloaded drivers ("Driver Store") and reinstalling them when the device is plugged in, so the mouse bloatware kept on coming back. Is this still the case?

You have to add keys under: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DeviceInstall\Restrictions The keys I have right now are all REG_SZ (strings), and in order of "1" through "5", are: --- 1. SWC\VEN_DELL&DEV_AWCC 2. SWC\VID_DELL&PID_AWCC 3. SWC\Alienware_Command_Center 4. SWC\AWCC 5. SWC\VID001&PID0001&AWCCWINUI3APP --- Nothing short of this prevented "Alienware Command Center" (AWCC.exe) fro…

You only need (5) (see the AWCCWINUI3APP thing there?). There is also a group policy equivalent to this:

  Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\System\Device Installation\Device Installation Restrictions
  Prevent installation of devices that match any of these device IDs
  Set to Enabled
  Enable Also apply to matching devices that are already installed
  
Add the following two IDs:

  MONITOR\DELA246
  SWC\VID001&PID0001&AWCCWINUI3APP
IMO this is especially heinous as Dell have registered the AWCC.exe software component as a hardware 'device' within the device tree that needs its own 'driver'. Methinks Microsoft need to tighten the noose on these annoying OEMs.
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