Failing Forward

For a few weeks now, I’ve been boggling my mind over the fact that my the Remote App on my iPhone no longer works with iTunes.  I’m running iTunes on Windows 7 (all updates are current).  Here’s the sequence of frustrating events for anyone not familiar with this particular pain:

1. Configure iTunes to look for Remotes.
2. Run the Remote App (you need to be on WiFi; the same network as the computer) and select your Library.
3. Enter the 4-digit pass code into iTunes.
4. The App will connect.
5. Enjoy.
6. Some time later, re-open the Remote App to… ya know… use it.
7. Discover that the Remote will no longer connect to your Library; it gets hung up “Looking for Library ______.”
8. Become frustrated (or more frustrated, if you already were).
9. Configure iTunes to forget all Remotes.
10. Shut down iTunes.
11. Remove the Library from your Remote’s settings.
12. Shut down the Remote App.
13. Restart iTunes.
14. GOTO 1.

Long story short: Windows 7 doesn’t like the French.  ”Bonjour” (the messaging service used to support the Remote App) was blocked by the Windows 7 Firewall.  Bonjour didn’t even show up on the list – I had to locate it manually.  On my system, it’s located at

C:\Program Files (x86)\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe

but your mileage may vary.  Allow this executable in the Windows Firewall rules, and you’ll be all set to go.