I've seen reports of Windows installing unwanted software when it detects certain LG monitors. Is there a way to prevent that without blocking all automatic driver installs? Would keeping the monitor off the internet help, and are there safer brands to consider?
How can I stop a monitor from triggering unwanted software installs?
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h.703+lockwasher
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Keeping the monitor off the internet may not address this. Windows can identify a connected display and look for associated packages through Windows Update, so the computer's connection matters too. A display connected by HDMI can still be identified by the operating system.
That also means changing the office monitor won't cover a laptop plugged into a different display elsewhere. I'd test controls on the Windows devices themselves.
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There are Windows policies worth testing before you disable every driver update. One suggestion is the device metadata policy, which may stop associated software from being retrieved while still allowing drivers through Windows Update. Don't assume it covers every package, though. Test with the affected monitor and check what actually gets installed.
Blocking driver downloads through Windows Update is a broader option, but then you need another way to supply useful drivers. The tradeoff depends on how you manage your machines.
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Dell UltraSharp and HP office displays are options people have suggested. ASUS EyeCare models also came up as a practical choice. But I wouldn't treat a brand name as proof that every model is free of automatic software. Alienware, which Dell owns, was raised as a counterexample involving automatic software installation.
Pick a candidate model, connect it to a test Windows machine with the policies you plan to use, and check the result before buying a batch.
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For ordinary office use, consider a simple display without a USB hub, camera, or other extras you don't need. NEC, IIYAMA, and Dell have been suggested for straightforward monitors. Fewer features can make purchasing simpler, but it isn't a substitute for controlling Windows software and driver installation.
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If you can block automatic driver installs without disrupting your setup, that's the more sweeping option. Useful drivers can still be installed manually, but someone has to maintain that process. It may be a reasonable fit for managed office machines and less convenient for laptops with varied peripherals.
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h.703+lockwasher:
Keeping driver updates while blocking the extra software is what I was hoping for. I'll test the metadata policy rather than assume it covers everything.