Microsoft is pushing Copilot onto LG TVs with a recent software update

For several years now, Microsoft has been making the controversial decision to foist Copilot on everyone in every location possible. Now, according to a Reddit thread, it has appeared on LG TVs following a software update, and it seems that you can't get rid of it, even if you want to.

The issue was posted to r/mildlyinfuriating by the Redditor defjam16. After a TV software update, Copilot appeared on the TV and could not be deleted when the user tried. Responding in the comments, defjam16 said their main issue was that it wasn't installed with explicit permission, and they worried about whether the app had unknown access to the microphone and other services.

Like many readers of Neowin, multiple people responding to the thread were in strong disagreement with Microsoft's decision to push Copilot into other Microsoft services such as M365, Notepad, and OneNote. One user described it as a prettier version of a search engine that guesses at answers. Some Reddit users cynically speculated that Microsoft has spent so much on AI that it is now forcing it on users because they are finding it hard to find a viable business model for it, and the strategy is to put it everywhere, whether you like it or not.

Other users also reported similar issues with other brands of televisions, such as Samsung TV continuously redownloading the Xbox app or reactivating apps like Rakuten and Samsung TV Plus, even if the user has disabled or deleted them.

Going back to Copilot appearing, users did suggest some workarounds that could work if you are experiencing the same issue. The most commonly recommended advice was to disconnect the smart TV from the internet entirely and use a separate dedicated streaming device like a gaming console or Apple TV 4K. This prevents the TV from collecting and selling data, avoiding mandatory updates that install new bloatware, and often leads to better performance since dedicated external hardware is used for processing.

While some people may like the presence of Copilot, the fact that it cannot be disabled is annoying people, too, with some suggesting that they won't be buying an LG TV again in the future due to shenanigans like this.