The genuine mDNSResponder.exe file is a software component of Bonjour by Apple. MDNSResponder.exe is an executable file that is associated with Bonjour, a zeroconf (zero-configuration networking) implementation designed by Apple. This is not an essential Windows process and can be disabled if known to create problems.
Bonjour automatically detects devices located on a network and the services they offer using the multicast Domain Name System. The software is shipped with Mac OS X and iOS but is also available for Microsoft Windows. The software was designed with the main intention of setting up networks a hassle-free task. Bonjour is currently used by many software programs t quickly connect to the network.
Apple Inc. is an American company that develops consumer electronics, computer software, as well as online services. The company is known for its smartphones, tablet computers, personal computers, media players and smartwatches. Apple develops the OS X and iOS operating systems, the iTunes media player, the Safari web browser, as well as several dozen productivity suites. Apple was founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne in 1976, to develop and sell personal computers. The company is currently based in Cupertino, California, USA.
MDNSResponder stands for Bonjour Multicast Domain Name System Responder
The .exe extension on a filename indicates an executable file. Executable files may, in some cases, harm your computer. Therefore, please read below to decide for yourself whether the mDNSResponder.exe on your computer is a Trojan that you should remove, or whether it is a file belonging to the Windows operating system or to a trusted application.
Description: MDNSResponder.exe is not essential for Windows and will often cause problems. MDNSResponder.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files" (common is C:\Program Files\Bonjour\).
Known file sizes on Windows 10/11/7 are 462,184 bytes (36% of all occurrences), 390,504 bytes and 19 more variants.
The process runs as service Bonjour. The service enables hardware devices and software services to automatically configure themselves on the network and advertise their presence.
The program is not visible. It is not a Windows core file. The application uses ports to connect to or from a LAN or the Internet. You can uninstall this program in the Control Panel. The file is digitally signed. The mDNSResponder.exe file is a Verisign signed file.
Therefore the technical security rating is 23% dangerous; however you should also read the user reviews.
Uninstalling this variant:
If problems with mDNSResponder.exe come up, you can also do the following:
If mDNSResponder.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files\Common Files", the security rating is 38% dangerous. The file size is 389,632 bytes (58% of all occurrences), 396,024 bytes or 387,584 bytes.
The program is not visible. MDNSResponder.exe is not a Windows system file. The process uses ports to connect to or from a LAN or the Internet. The program can be uninstalled in the Control Panel.
If mDNSResponder.exe is located in a subfolder of the user's profile folder, the security rating is 58% dangerous. The file size is 5,107,200 bytes (33% of all occurrences), 390,504 bytes or 116,008 bytes.
The mDNSResponder.exe file is not a Windows system file. The program has no visible window. The software uses ports to connect to or from a LAN or the Internet.
MDNSResponder.exe is able to monitor applications.
If mDNSResponder.exe is located in the Windows folder for temporary files, the security rating is 94% dangerous. The file size is 116,008 bytes.
Important: Some malware camouflages itself as mDNSResponder.exe. Therefore, you should check the mDNSResponder.exe process on your PC to see if it is a threat. We recommend Security Task Manager for verifying your computer's security. This was one of the Top Download Picks of The Washington Post and PC World.
Score
User Comments
I installed VLC Player after that Bonjour was installed with it. Jules (further information)
Each time my Windows XP boots up, basic commands won't work until I end task, as if the mouse or keyboard isn't working. Once I end the mDNSResponder.exe task (from the task manager) everything works again. nobody
it is bad gg
Each time this is executed it appears in my task manager list. (After my computer freezes up and has to be rebooted) Buck
it seems to be a virus Tommy tang
It was in C:/ProgramFiles(86x)/Bonjour And C:/ProgramFiles(86x)/Mirroring360 It Wasn't There Originally And It Cause Sounds To Play Like Those Internet Scams With The Fake Virus Detected Scams. UNINSTALL NOW!!! theawesomemutant
gets installed with Logitech Gaming Software version 8.57+. "Apple Bonjour - Network Discovery Support for Logitech Arx Control" jakethedog (further information)
Bonjour Service - used with iTunes and other programs computercat682
Summary: Average user rating of mDNSResponder.exe:
based on 234 votes with 9 user comments.
52 users think mDNSResponder.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application.
21 users think it's probably harmless.
85 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous.
40 users suspect danger.
36 users think mDNSResponder.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it.
44 users don't grade mDNSResponder.exe ("not sure about it").
Best practices for resolving mDNSResponder issues
A clean and tidy computer is the key requirement for avoiding problems with mDNSResponder. This means running a scan for malware, cleaning your hard drive using 1cleanmgr and 2sfc /scannow, 3uninstalling programs that you no longer need, checking for Autostart programs (using 4msconfig) and enabling Windows' 5Automatic Update. Always remember to perform periodic backups, or at least to set restore points.
Should you experience an actual problem, try to recall the last thing you did, or the last thing you installed before the problem appeared for the first time. Use the 6resmon command to identify the processes that are causing your problem. Even for serious problems, rather than reinstalling Windows, you are better off repairing of your installation or executing the 7DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth command. This allows you to repair the operating system without losing data.
To get your computer running as fast as it did on day one, you can 8reset your PC. Your personal files will remain intact, but any programs you installed will need to be reinstalled.
To help you analyze the mDNSResponder.exe process on your computer, the following programs have proven to be helpful: ASecurity Task Manager displays all running Windows tasks, including embedded hidden processes, such as keyboard and browser monitoring or Autostart entries. A unique security risk rating indicates the likelihood of the process being potential spyware, malware or a Trojan. A good Bantivirus software detects and removes sleeping spyware, adware, Trojans, keyloggers, malware and trackers from your hard drive.
Score
User Comments
Jules (further information)
nobody
gg
Buck
Tommy tang
theawesomemutant
jakethedog (further information)
computercat682
(further information)
Summary: Average user rating of mDNSResponder.exe: based on 234 votes with 9 user comments. 52 users think mDNSResponder.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application. 21 users think it's probably harmless. 85 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous. 40 users suspect danger. 36 users think mDNSResponder.exe is dangerous and recommend removing it. 44 users don't grade mDNSResponder.exe ("not sure about it").