How to prevent manufacturers from installing bloatware automatically on Windows 11

• Windows 11 can automatically download manufacturer companion apps when compatible hardware is connected.
• The feature is designed to install device utilities, but some manufacturers use it to distribute unwanted software.
• You can disable automatic manufacturer app installations from Settings, Group Policy, or the Registry.

A lot of people think the software that comes from a computer manufacturer is limited to what ships with the computer. However, Windows 11 also includes a feature that lets compatible hardware automatically download and install companion apps after you connect the device.

The recent controversy involving LG monitors brought this behavior into the spotlight. Windows 11 automatically installed the “LG Monitor App,” which then served McAfee pop-ups to users. Microsoft ultimately required LG to stop distributing the software after widespread backlash, but the incident exposed a background mechanism many people never knew existed, namely that Windows 11 actively allows connected hardware to trigger companion software downloads.

I’ve seen many people assume Windows Update is secretly installing random applications. In reality, Windows 11 was simply executing a long-standing feature designed to streamline setup. The original goal was practical. When you connect a device, the operating system reads the device’s metadata and automatically fetches required companion utilities so everything works out of the box.

The problem is that some manufacturers have abused this feature. Instead of sticking to essential companion apps, they use the pipeline to deploy branded control centers, background services, or installers that serve promotional offers and third-party software. What was designed as a convenience has turned into a backdoor for bloatware.

If you want complete control over what gets installed on your computer, Windows 11 includes a setting that blocks hardware from automatically downloading companion apps and custom icons.

In this guide, In this guide, I’ll show you the different ways to disable automatic device app installations on Windows 11 using the Settings app, Group Policy, and the Registry so you stay in complete control of what gets installed on your computer.

• Disable automatic manufacturer’s app install on Windows 11
• Disable automatic manufacturer’s app from Group Policy
• Disable automatic manufacturer’s app from Registry

Disable automatic manufacturer’s app on Windows 11

To stop Windows 11 from installing manufacturer’s companion apps automatically, use these steps:

1. Open Settings on Windows 11.

2. Click on System.

3. Click the About tab.

4. Click the “Advanced system settings” option under the “Device specifications” section.

   

5. Click the Hardware tab.

6. Click the “Device Installation Settings” button.

   

7. Select the “No (your device might not work as expected)” option.

   

8. Click the Save Changes button.

9. Click the OK button.

Once you complete the steps, the operating system shouldn’t try to download hardware-related apps when you connect devices.

Disable automatic manufacturer’s app from Group Policy

You can also use the Local Group Policy Editor to stop the operating system from installing device manufacturer-related applications on Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education.

To disable hardware applications from installing automatically with Group Policy, use these steps:

1. Open Start.

2. Search for gpedit and click the top result to open the Local Group Policy Editor.

3. Browse the following path:

   Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Device Installation

   

4. Double-click the “Prevent automatic download of applications associated with device metadata” policy.

   

5. Check the Enabled option.

6. Click the Apply button.

7. Click the OK button.

After you complete the steps, the policy will be enabled, and Windows 11 will stop providing hardware-related apps automatically.

Disable automatic manufacturer’s app from Registry

If you use Windows 11 Home, you won’t have access to the Local Group Policy Editor. Here’s how:

1. Open Start.

2. Search for regedit and click the top result to open the Registry.

3. Browse the following path:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Device Metadata

4. Double-click the PreventDeviceMetadataFromNetwork DWORD key, and change its value from 0 to 1.

   

5. Click OK.

6. Restart the computer.

Once you complete the steps, setting “PreventDeviceMetadataFromNetwork” to “1” will block manufacturers’ apps from downloading every time Windows 11 checks for new updates.

You can always revert the changes using the same steps, but in step 4, change the DWORD key value from 1 to 0.

Alternatively, you can also change the Registry using Command Prompt (admin) with the reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Device Metadata" /v PreventDeviceMetadataFromNetwork /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f command. 

You can revert the changes with the reg delete "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Device Metadata" /v PreventDeviceMetadataFromNetwork /f command.

It’s important to point out that you can disable the feature through the Registry, but since this option is available only on Windows 11 Pro and higher versions, this workaround may not always work for “Home” users. If you’re a “Home” user, the first method, the one that uses the Settings app, is the best approach.