As nouns the difference between bolt and hardware

is that bolt is a (usually) metal fastener consisting of a cylindrical body that is threaded, with a larger head on one end it can be inserted into an unthreaded hole up to the head, with a nut then threaded on the other end; a heavy machine screw or bolt can be a sieve, especially a long fine sieve used in milling for bolting flour and meal; a bolter while hardware is fixtures]], equipment, tools and [[device|devices used for general-purpose construction and repair of a structure or object also such equipment as sold as stock by a store of the same name, eg hardware store.

As a verb bolt

is to connect or assemble pieces using a bolt or bolt can be to sift, especially through a cloth.

As a adverb bolt

is suddenly; straight; unbendingly.