Cannot remove Bonjour from Windows 10 laptop

Trying to install the latest version of iTunes 12.10.1.4 on my Windows 10 laptop. The error is "Error writing to file: C:\Program Files\Bonjour\dns_sd.jar. Verify that you have access to that directory". I am unable to gain access or change access. I get access denied messages. Ran Microsoft's malicious software removal tool, but found nothing. Deleted Bonjour from Apps & Features. Short of a third-party software, which I would like to avoid, what other options are there?


Posted on Oct 11, 2019 6:17 PM

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Posted on Oct 13, 2019 8:18 AM

Make sure the service isn't actually running using the services.msc console, then use Properties > Security > Advanced > Change Ownership and try to take ownership, so you can then give yourself full control and delete.


tt2

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9 replies

Oct 12, 2019 1:40 PM in response to RareElement

For general advice see Troubleshooting issues with iTunes for Windows updates.



The steps in the second box are a guide to removing everything related to iTunes and then rebuilding it which is often a good starting point unless the symptoms indicate a more specific approach. When reinstalling right click on the downloaded setup file and use run as administrator. It may also help to temporarily disable any non-Microsoft anti-virus.


Review the other boxes and the list of support documents further down the page in case one of them applies.


The further information area has direct links to the current and recent builds in case you have problems downloading, or want to revert to an older version if the current one won't work properly for you at the moment. Links to the most recent builds are now at the bottom of the page.



Your library and device backups should be unaffected by these steps but there are links to backup and recovery advice should it be needed.



tt2

Oct 13, 2019 8:05 AM in response to turingtest2

I successfully uninstalled everything except Bonjour. I still get the same error when I try to delete C:\Program Files\Bonjour. It shows Read Only access and while I am using my Administrator privileges. However, I did try to right-click Bonjour, Properties, Security tab, Advanced, and when I click Change, the "Enter the object name..." field expects something, so clicking Check Names will register and possibly allow me to change permissions. Does anyone know what object name is expected? I tried Bonjour and dns_sd.jar, but neither work.

Oct 13, 2019 3:23 PM in response to turingtest2

In services.msc, Bonjour is disabled, with the path to executable listed as "C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe". However, in Change Ownership, I would need to know the exact object name for Check Names, but Bonjour, mDSNResponder.exe, and dns_sd.jar do not register; they all return that the object name cannot be found. I also tried command line with admin rights "%PROGRAMFILES%\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe" -remove but also get an access denied. And I cannot cd into Bonjour to delete, rename or move it without also getting an access denied. Considering the recent articles on ransomware hacking via Bonjour, I am surprised there are no solutions. As I have a Mac mini 2018 and a PC, at least I can still function. I appreciate your continued help.

Oct 13, 2019 4:30 PM in response to turingtest2

I was able to change the permissions by using the object name "COMPUTERNAME\Administrator" but still got an access denied. Then I successfully removed Bonjour using Unlocker and restarted. However, when I try to install iTunes 12.10.1.4, I get the following "Error writing file to C:\Program Files\iTunes\Acknowledgements.rtf - Verify that you have access to that directory. I have no choice but to abort the install. The security tab shows "Unable to display current owner". Should I use the above object name, or will that result in more errors?

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Cannot remove Bonjour from Windows 10 laptop

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