Can’t uninstall Bonjour by Apple, Inc., I have no apple products

Understanding Unexpected Software Installations on Windows: The Case of Bonjour by Apple

If you’re a Windows user, you might sometimes encounter unfamiliar applications that appear on your system without clear explanation. One such example is Bonjour, a network service primarily associated with Apple products, but sometimes found installed on Windows machines without any explicit connection to Apple devices or software.

The curious case of Bonjour on a Windows PC

Recently, a Windows user reported discovering Bonjour by Apple, Inc. on their computer—despite having no Apple products, software, or services installed. This discovery was made while browsing the list of installed applications, where Bonjour appeared unexpectedly, with an installation date that coincided with the current day.

Challenges in removing Bonjour

Attempting to uninstall Bonjour led to confusing behavior. The user noted that:

When trying to uninstall, Windows prompted for permission to make system changes, which was declined initially.
Re-trying with permission resulted in Windows attempting to configure or install Bonjour again.
The system displayed messages such as “Gathering required information” and insisted that certain programs, like Firefox, be closed to proceed.
Notably, Bonjour was listed as an installed application, yet Windows insisted on installing it anew, raising suspicions about the authenticity and purpose of the process.

Why is Bonjour appearing on your system?

Bonjour is a zeroconf implementation that facilitates network discovery and communication among devices and services—originally developed by Apple. While primarily used in Apple environments, Bonjour can also be installed on Windows for various reasons:

Certain third-party applications or drivers that require Bonjour to function.
Software bundled with printers, scanners, or other peripherals.
Parts of software suites that include Bonjour as a dependency, even if the user doesn’t directly install it.

However, in some cases, Bonjour may be pre-installed or installed silently without user consent, leading to security or troubleshooting concerns.

How to remove Bonjour from Windows safely

If you’re dealing with unwanted or suspicious instances of Bonjour, follow these steps:

Verify Installation Sources
Check the Programs and Features list in Control Panel or Settings to confirm Bonjour’s presence.
Look for anything unfamiliar or associated with third-party applications.
Use Official Uninstaller
If Bonjour is listed, try uninstalling via the Control Panel’s “Programs and Features” section.
Some versions may include a dedicated uninstaller located in the application folder.
Manual Removal (if standard uninstall fails)
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