prevent-automatic-download-of-applications-associated-with-device-metadata (#4827)

* add tweak

* add devdocs

* add devdocs

---------

Co-authored-by: matthewkasiski <matt@matthewkasiski.me>

config/tweaks.json

@@ -944,6 +944,22 @@
     ],
     "link": "https://winutil.christitus.com/dev/tweaks/essential-tweaks/wpbt"
   },
+  "WPFTweaksPreventDeviceMetadataFromNetwork": {
+    "Content": "Prevent Device Companion Apps",
+    "Description": "Prevents additional software from being installed when plugging in devices (e.g. Ads when plugging in a monitor). Poses potential security risk.",
+    "category": "Essential Tweaks",
+    "panel": "1",
+    "registry": [
+      {
+        "Path": "HKLM:\\SOFTWARE\\Policies\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Device Metadata",
+        "Name": "PreventDeviceMetadataFromNetwork",
+        "Value": "1",
+        "Type": "DWord",
+        "OriginalValue": "<RemoveEntry>"
+      }
+    ],
+    "link": "https://winutil.christitus.com/dev/tweaks/essential-tweaks/preventdevicemetadatafromnetwork"
+  },
   "WPFTweaksRazerBlock": {
     "Content": "Razer Software Auto-Install - Disable",
     "Description": "Blocks ALL Razer Software installations. The hardware works fine without any software.",

docs/content/dev/tweaks/Essential-Tweaks/PreventDeviceMetadataFromNetwork.md

@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+---
+title: "Prevent Device Companion Apps"
+description: ""
+---
+
+```json {filename="config/tweaks.json",linenos=inline,linenostart=947}
+  "WPFTweaksPreventDeviceMetadataFromNetwork": {
+    "Content": "Prevent Device Companion Apps",
+    "Description": "Prevents additional software from being installed when plugging in devices (e.g. Ads when plugging in a monitor). Poses potential security risk.",
+    "category": "Essential Tweaks",
+    "panel": "1",
+    "registry": [
+      {
+        "Path": "HKLM:\\SOFTWARE\\Policies\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Device Metadata",
+        "Name": "PreventDeviceMetadataFromNetwork",
+        "Value": "1",
+        "Type": "DWord",
+        "OriginalValue": "<RemoveEntry>"
+      }
+    ],
+```
+
+## Registry Changes
+
+Applications and System Components store and retrieve configuration data to modify Windows settings, so we can use the registry to change many settings in one place.
+
+You can find information about the registry on [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Registry) and [Microsoft's Website](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/sysinfo/registry).
+
+## References
+1. [Microsoft Documentation - PreventDeviceMetadataFromNetwork](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/client-management/mdm/policy-csp-deviceinstallation#preventdevicemetadatafromnetwork)
+2. [CyberSecurityNews - Windows Update Silently Installs LG Monitor App That Pushes McAfee Ads](https://cybersecuritynews.com/windows-update-installs-lg-monitor-app-pushes-mcafee-ads/)