mDNSResponder.exe

Posted by Martin in Operating Systems, Windows  Tags: , , , , , , , ,

10

May



You all know that I build a new computer and have installed most of the software that I have been using on my old computer on the new one as well. A quick Task Manager check revealed the file mDNSResponder.exe that was running on my computer which puzzled me at first because I could not identify an application that was using this file.

Digging a bit deeper revealed that mDNSResponder.exe was associated with the Bonjour Service which was located in E:\Program Files\Bonjour. I was not aware that I did install this program which either meant another program did install it or that it was maliciously installed on my system.

According to the search engines mDNSResponder.exe, or the Bonjour Service, is installed with Apple’s iTunes software and Adobe Creative Suite 3 and Creative Suite 3 components. A Knowledge Base article for Adobe Creative Suite 3 explains what Bonjour is all about.


Bonjour is Apple’s open source implementation of zero-configuration networking software. It is used by Adobe Version Cue CS3 client applications to dynamically discover Version Cue Servers on the local network.

And Apple adds:

Bonjour, also known as zero-configuration networking, enables automatic discovery of computers, devices, and services on IP networks. Bonjour uses industry standard IP protocols to allow devices to automatically discover each other without the need to enter IP addresses or configure DNS servers.

Users have two choices. If they want to disable the service and ensure that mDNSResponder.exe is not running anymore when they work with Windows then they should simply disable the Bonjour Service in Windows. The services configuration can be reached by pressing Windows R, typing services.msc and hitting enter. Right-click the Bonjour Service and select to disable the service.

If you want to get completely rid of mDNSResponder.exe and the Bonjour Services do the following: Press Windows R, type cmd and hit enter. Now navigate to the Bonjour directory by issuing the command cd c:\program files\bonjour. Now type mDNSResponder.exe -remove and rename mdsnNSP.dll mdsnNSP.bak. Restart the computer and delete the Bonjour directory afterwards.

If you find out that you do need Bonjour you can install it again by downloading Bonjour from the Apple website.


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6 Users Commented In This Post

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gunther says, May 10th, 2008   

Would there be a problem if we disabled this?

Martin says, May 10th, 2008   

I guess you could run into problems if you are sharing files over a network. If you are a single user I highly doubt it.

Techbuzzard says, May 10th, 2008   

I also came across the same problem, couldn’t identify to which application mDNSResponder.exe was related to. But after some googling, I found out it was related to Apple. I have disabled the service from the services configuration menu and since my PC is not connected to any network, I haven’t had any problems so far.

Rebecca says, May 21st, 2008   

What do you mean by “sharing files over a network”? Would it be better to disable or totally get rid of mDNSResponder.exe? Will this affect my iTunes or internet access?

cargo says, August 31st, 2008   

bonjour is part of apple’s communication over tcp/ipv6. it is used in apple networks and if you want to sync your calendar, contacts, bookmarks across the mobileme service leave it on (computer to computer across internet) to pc or mac. itunes puts sync services in windows so you can. this would also allow syncing your iphone. it is unobtrusive and advanced. i’ve disabled it fine to free up resources on an old pc if needed. it might be to your advantage to leave it on if your pc isn’t tanking (it wouldn’t tank because of this.)

Ian says, September 5th, 2008   

mDNSResponder.exe is the executable associated with Bonjour for Windows. This service will have been installed on your computer if you installed an Adobe CS3 Application. It is used by Adobe Version Cue client applications to discover Version Cue servers on the local network. For more information see http://kb.adobe.com/selfservice/viewContent.do?externalId=kb400982

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