Crippleware

1. Type of software program or utility that does not have all the features enabled or has all the features enabled but has limited use until the user registers the program and receives a code to unlock the program.

2. When referring to hardware, crippleware refers to a hardware device that has been intentionally not designed to its full capability. For example, a computer company may make a circuit board for multiple models of a products and release a high-end and low-end version of a product. The high-end may have an extra IC or jumper that enables it to work better or have more features while the low-end version does not. Although both products are almost identical, this setting or missing component makes for a slower and usually cheaper version of the product and at the same time allows the company to have an easy upgrade solution.

Also see: Crapware, Shareware, Software