iTunes uses Bonjour for various tasks it carries out. For instance, it uses the program for locating ‘Shared Music Libraries’, devices for streaming music to, and so forth. Safari, Apple’s own web browser, uses the same program for finding devices advertising web pages on your network. The Bonjour toolbar plugin offers an easy mode of discovery for Bonjour – advertising web pages. Moreover, Bonjour Printer Setup Wizard uses Bonjour’s application to discover and configure Bonjour’s advertised network printers.
If you happen to install iTunes, you will find that it installs Bonjour Windows Service, a Zero Configuration Networking process, and mDNSResponder.exe. Often iTunes is bundled with other software and installed on the user’s computer without the user’s knowledge. If you don’t use Bonjour or any of its features, then removing Bonjour shouldn’t cause any issue; however, in some cases, it is known to cause so. Here are the steps you can follow for more thoroughly uninstalling Bonjour.
Remove Bonjour from Windows 11/10
Firstly, if you have any Apple software installed on your computer such as iTunes, there’s a high likelihood that there’s already a Bonjour folder residing under the ‘Program Files’ section. On most occasions, the service starts automatically and runs a process named mDNSResponder.exe, which cannot be killed by Windows Task Manager.
You will, in most cases, be able to uninstall the program via Control Panel – but in some cases, this may fail! Hence, a safe method described here to uninstall and remove the Bonjour service and files – mDNSResponder.exe and mdnsNSP.dll.
Press Win + R keyboard keys in combination, to bring up the ‘Run’ dialog box. Next, type the following command and hit OK. Alternatively open an elevated CMD and do it.
"%PROGRAMFILES%\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe" -remove
To unregister the dll file, open a command prompt window, as an administrator, type the following and hit Enter.
regsvr32 /u "%PROGRAMFILES%\Bonjour\mdnsNSP.dll"
Restart your computer, go to C:\Program Files\ and delete the Bonjour folder.
iTunes and some other programs need Bonjour to function. If you use these programs, do NOT remove Bonjour! Make sure you have administrator privileges before executing these commands.
If you face any problems or need more support, you may see Apple.com.
What is Bonjour service in Windows 11/10?
Bonjour Windows Service, a Zero Configuration Networking process. Apple products and software need this service to function properly. Apple products like iTunes uses Bonjour for various tasks it carries out. Bonjour Printer Setup Wizard uses Bonjour’s application to discover and configure Bonjour’s advertised network printers.
Is Bonjour necessary on Windows?
If you do not use any Apple software on your Windows PC then you do not need Bonjour, and you can safely remove it by following this method. You will need it if you use any Apple products or software.
Related: Fix Bonjour Application Service error on Windows PC.
