Foistware is software bundled with completely unrelated programs. That means that there is no particular property in the software that makes it foistware, but rather the context in which it was installed.

Shovelware is sometimes used to denote foistware which was chosen to fill up the remaining space on a freely distributed CD-ROM.

Examples

• New computers shipping with Google Toolbar and Google Desktop already installed.
• New computers from Dell being shipped with My Way Search Assistant already installed.
• An Internet Explorer search toolbar bundled with an MP3 player.
• An anti-virus program bundled with a word processor.

Developers

Developers of shareware or freeware with large distribution sometimes get paid to bundle unrelated software with their software. The foistware in most cases is mentioned in the End User License Agreement.

Links

• MacUser: Software Archives This License allows you to install and use one copy of the Mac OS X Server software (the “Mac OS X Server Software”) on a single Apple-labeled computer.