Bloatware 

1.(n) Software that comes pre-installed on a computer. Bloatware generally comes on a PC made by a major manufacturer (i.e. HP, Dell, Toshiba). Most Bloatware is considered to be a useless piece of software that is intended for no other purpose than taking up hard drive space.

2.(n) Software that comes piggy-backed on other software installations. piggy-backing bloatware usually includes toolbars, desktop widgets or external unrelated applications. Most piggy-backing bloatware can perform a mundane task that is generally non-essential to every day computer use.

1. My brand new laptop came with so much bloatware, it took me over two hours to remove it all.

2. My anti-virus installation came with so much bloatware, I can't even see the desktop.

Bloatware by Xaurudame July 31, 2012

bloatware 

A piece of software, hardware or website that attempts to do too much and becomes utterly useless for users. An example of bloatware would be a word processing application that also tries to be your page layout program, drawing tool, and web browser; absorbing half your hard drive and all your RAM in the process.

If it says start in the bottom left corner of your screen, you are using bloatware.

bloatware by absolutcamper June 17, 2004

bloatware 

An excuse for preffering one operating system over another because one cannot find another legitimate excuse to hate on another operating system. the term means "pre-installed companion software" but for some that just means less space on their hard drive and they would rather install the "bloatware" themselves.
Thanks to a lot of tech geek fanboys this word has become one of the biggest examples of semantic satiation in the tech industry. It's been used so much it has become utterly meaningless.

The "what's the best OS of Linux?" debate has been going on for decades now...
Geek 1: I like Debian, but I like Ubuntu more.
Geek 2: Aren't they essentially the same OS?
Geek 1: Yes, Ubuntu is derived from Debian...
Geek 3: I prefer Debian because Ubuntu has too much bloatware.
Geek 1: ......

bloatware by thatcrazyguyoverthere March 18, 2014

bloatware

1. something made to render your PC unusable

or if you're a clanker

2. something made to make your belly, tits, ass, thighs, etc blimp up

1. twin i got bloatware on my pc
2. (CLANKER): Mgmh~ Ah~ All this by bloatware...

bloatware by qsefthukolp February 2, 2026

Mental Bloatware 

When you ask a question, but the person answering keeps switching to irrelevant topics/events between the response that overloads your memory and derails the question itself. This oftentimes causes you to ask the question again repeatedly or even forget it yourself.

An example of Mental Bloatware is Joe asks his mom what's for dinner, before going into a tangent about her childhood that eventually derails into her talking about various unrelated topics. AS a result, you sternly ask her the same question repeatedly until she gives answer, or you give up

Mental Bloatware by CuteRobotLover September 11, 2025

AI Bloatware 

AI bloatware is the inclusion of unnecessary or excessive artificial intelligence features in products. These features often do not address real user needs and may even reduce usability, efficiency, or performance.

Key Characteristics

Non-essential features: Added because “AI” is trending, not because they provide clear value.

Complexity without benefit: Increases cognitive load or clutter in the interface.

Performance impact: Extra AI modules consume system resources without improving outcomes.

Marketing-driven: Positioned as innovative, but often superficial.

The new smartphone update is full of AI bloatware, with unnecessary chatbots and image filters that slow the device without improving its core functions.

AI Bloatware by Dirtman777 September 23, 2025

Floatware 

A piece of software that is the opposite of bloatware, i.e. light, simple, intuitive. It may also refer to a software as a service (Saas) solution that resides "in the cloud", hence "float".

An example of "Floatware" is Twitter.

Floatware by techschuey April 8, 2010