Editing Software bloat (section)

===Bloatware===
“Bloatware" is software that has become bloated through inefficiency or accretion of features as outlined above.<ref name="Spolsky"/> The term is also commonly used for [[preinstalled software]] bundled on a device, usually by the hardware manufacturer, that is mostly unwanted by the purchaser.

The term may also be applied to the accumulation of unwanted and unused software elements that remain after partial and incomplete [[Uninstaller|uninstallation]]. These elements may include whole programs, libraries, associated configuration information, or other data. Performance may deteriorate overall as a result of such remnants, as the unwanted software or software components can occupy both hard disk memory and RAM, waste processing time, add disk [[I/O]], and cause delays at system startup and shutdown. In the worst cases, the leftover software may interfere with the correct operation of wanted software.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2400136,00.asp|title=How to Remove Bloatware |magazine=PC Magazine  | first=Joel |last=Santo Domingo |date=13 February 2012}}</ref>

On [[Android (operating system)|Android]] devices some of the bloatware can be hidden from a user account with [[Android Debug Bridge|ADB]], although this doesn't remove the application and will still take disk space, it won't run and slow down the system.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ADB Reference |url=https://github.com/Universal-Debloater-Alliance/universal-android-debloater-next-generation/wiki/ADB-Reference |access-date=2024-08-11 |website=GitHub |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Conway |first=Adam |date=2021-08-25 |title=How to uninstall carrier/OEM bloatware without root access |url=https://www.xda-developers.com/uninstall-carrier-oem-bloatware-without-root-access/ |access-date=2024-08-11 |website=XDA |language=en}}</ref> By [[Bootloader unlocking|unlocking the bootloader]], users can remove the bloatware's files, install a custom firmware or gain root privileges which allows the app to be fully uninstalled.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Elmore |first=John |date=2024-01-10 |title=What are the Benefits of Unlocking Bootloader: Exploring the Advantages & User-Freedom |url=https://thetechylife.com/what-are-the-benefits-of-unlocking-bootloader/ |access-date=2024-08-11 |language=en-US}}</ref>