abandonware

English

Etymology

abandon +‎ -ware

Pronunciation

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

Noun

abandonware (uncountable)

1. (computing, chiefly video games) A software product, especially a video game, whose copyright is no longer defended or which is no longer marketed even by the company who made it.
   • 1996 October 12, Hentsch, John, “Re: Converting file areas (one more time)”, in alt.bbs.wildcat, Usenet^[1], retrieved 2017-02-08, message-ID <ff1_9610122110@mb.fidonet.org>:

     RR> Never heard of Wildscan. Is it shareware or is there a evaluation version available? ... It's abandonware ala Joe Martin inc.:)

Related terms

Related terms

• abandon
• adware
• annoyware
• baitware
• bloatware
• blogware
• cardware
• careware
• censorware
• charityware
• courseware
• crapware
• crippleware
• crudware
• cyberware
• demoware
• donationware
• dreamware

• emailware
• fatware
• firmware
• foistware
• freeware
• fritterware
• funware
• gameware
• greenware
• groupware
• guiltware
• hassleware
• helpware
• hijackware
• liveware
• malware
• meatware
• middleware

• malware
• nagware
• otherware
• parasiteware
• payware
• postcardware
• prayerware
• ransomware
• scareware
• scumware
• shareware
• shelfware
• shitware
• spyware
• teachware
• trialware
• vaporware
• wetware

Translations

software which has been abandoned by its developer

• Dutch: abandonware m
• French: abandogiciel (fr) m

• Icelandic: eftirlegubúnaður m
• Romanian: produs abandonat n, software abandonat n

See also

• free software
• public domain
• announcementware
• vaporware