You are probably reading this because you found mDNSResponder.exe running on your computer. And you want to know what it is, and why it is there. Fortunately, the process is not a virus. It is actually developed by Apple so no need to panic. There, feel better? Ok, let’s take a closer look now that the emergency is over. So you can decide if you want to do anything with the Windows Process.
Contents
What is mdnsresponder .exe:
The mDNSResponder.exe process belongs to the Bonjour for Windows service. It is Apple’s zero-configuration networking process for mac. That was ported over to windows and associated with MDNSNSP.DLL. On Windows, this process is only necessary for sharing libraries through iTunes and other Mac applications. Like the Apple TV that was ported to Windows. Bonjour allows different computers running iTunes to communicate with each other regardless of network configuration, this is because it enables automatic network discovery.
Despite its intricate design, it runs 24/7 and uses up system resources to do so. And if you are not using it. Then it is just wasting these resources.
How did mDNSResponder get Installed on my Computer?
99% of the time a user will receive Bonjour from an iTunes installation. When you install iTunes, Apple does not give you the option to Opt-out of installing Bonjour. If you have ever wonder how one iTunes install can talk to another using the same local network. Bonjour is what actually does this behind the scene. There are other applications that make use of and install Bonjour, but iTunes is the biggest fish of them all. Further to say, iTunes only uses it for sharing media between computers. A few other programs that will install Bonjour are Skype, Photoshop CS3, and Pidgin, though none of them require it to function.
Don’t use iTunes? You are not alone. If you don’t use iTunes for sharing libraries between computers, let’s get rid of it!
Disable and remove mDNSResponder.exe :
As mentioned above, iTunes media sharing and a few other programs use Bonjour for their networking services. Thus removing the Bonjour service will prevent network activity within those applications. But, if you don’t use them. Then let’s just get rid of this useless process.
There are actually three methods to stop mDNSResponder.exe. First, completely uninstall it, disable it, or remove it through the cmd prompt.
Uninstall Bonjour:
From the start menu, open the Control Panel. Then select Uninstall a program.
After selecting that, Scroll down and Select Bonjour, then Click Uninstall. Complete the next few prompts and you are done!
Disable the Services:
Click the Start Menu and Type services.msc into the search box, press Enter. roll down the list of services, Right-Click on Bonjour Service and Select Properties.*
*On some computers the service will know as:
##Id_String2.6844F930_1628_4223_B5CC_5BB94B879762## instead of Bonjour.
In the properties window General tab, set Startup type to Disabled. Click OK to save changes and finish. You can now restart your computer and mDNSResponder.exe will not be running.
Remove it Through the CMD Prompt:
If the above two methods aren’t working, this one is a sure bet.
Click the Start Menu, type cmd into the search box and then press Ctrl+Shift+Enter.*
This will quickly launch cmd with administrator privileges, which what we actually need.
Now enter the following commands in the cmd prompts depending on, if you are using 32 bit or 64 bit Windows.
First, you have to change the directory:
the command for 64-bit computers
cd c:\program files (x86)\Bonjour
the command for 32-bit computers
cd c:\program files\Bonjour
Second, remove the service:
mdnsresponder.exe –remove
Now the last thing left to do is to change the .dll file so it can’t restart the services on its own. To do so, you have to type the following command into the same window.
ren mdnsNSP.dll mdnsNSP.renamed
It’s all done now.
Furthermore:
Bonjour, aka mDNSResponder.exe, is not a threat to your system. The service was created by Apple to allow its applications. So that they can properly network between other computers and the internet. See, you really shouldn’t delete things until you are sure they are not useful to you. If you do not share media using iTunes or another Apple program then you have no need to run Bonjour and should remove it to free up system resources.
Hopefully from this article, you get a lot of help and useful information. I hope you like it. For further queries, you can comment below. Have a Great Day!
