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This is indeed what is happening behind the scenes. By default Windows Update will automatically download and install support packages for pretty much any devic

This is indeed what is happening behind the scenes. By default Windows Update will automatically download and install support packages for pretty much any device Windows can identify through manufacturer/device IDs, which includes PCIe and USB devices but also monitors. This is most commonly used to deliver drivers but Microsoft allows these packages to silently install any user-facing application as well, presumably due to peripherals such as GPUs or audio chipsets often requiring "control panels" or similar companion apps. Around a month ago LG took advantage of this feature by publishing a Windows "driver" for all their TVs and monitors that consisted entirely of payola bloatware, resulting in predictable backlash [1] and the obligatory subsequent HN discussion [2]. None of this has anything to do with the TVs themselves being connected to the internet or not. [1] https://youtube.com/watch?v=Q9uefFYe6bM https://youtube.com/watch?v=Q9uefFYe6bM [2] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48956688 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48956688

ryandrake 19d ago
> automatically This is the root problem. The computer should not do something that the user did not specifically command. It should not guess, "Oh, the user plugged in device X. This means I have the user's consent to download and install software."
- Arainach 19d ago
  Every user wants their computer to do things they didn't specific command. You may draw the line differently from random user Bob, but your claim is simply wrong. The *vast* majority of users do want their machine to silently do whatever it takes for their device to work. I don't want to go handwrite XF86Config. I want my machine to go negotiate resolutions and aspect ratios and pick a default. I don't want to have to go find a CD drive or go to the OEM's website to get my printer or scanner working. Many users want their audio device to be able to talk over HDMI when plugging in a monitor with speakers. And so on.

ryandrake 19d ago

> automatically This is the root problem. The computer should not do something that the user did not specifically command. It should not guess, "Oh, the user plugged in device X. This means I have the user's consent to download and install software."

Arainach 19d ago
Every user wants their computer to do things they didn't specific command. You may draw the line differently from random user Bob, but your claim is simply wrong. The *vast* majority of users do want their machine to silently do whatever it takes for their device to work. I don't want to go handwrite XF86Config. I want my machine to go negotiate resolutions and aspect ratios and pick a default. I don't want to have to go find a CD drive or go to the OEM's website to get my printer or scanner working. Many users want their audio device to be able to talk over HDMI when plugging in a monitor with speakers. And so on.