Multicast DNS (mDNS), also know as zeroconf, allows distributed resolution of computer hostname without a central domain name server. The protocol allows device to discover each other with no configuration needed. This is what Apple devices use to detect printers in the network.

OS X supports the mDNS by default, while avahi-daemon provide a mDNS resolution service for the Linux systems.

1. Download Bonjour for Windows

   Meanwhile, Microsoft does not provide support for this protocol so we have to resort a software named Bonjour provided by Apple. The Bonjour service is bundled with iTunes so you might already have it if you installed iTunes previously. If you prefer not to install iTunes (a pretty huge download), you may download the Bonjour Print Services (~5MB).

   After the download, extract the executable file with a compression software such as 7-zip or WinRAR. You will find the file Bonjour.msi (32-bit) and Bonjour64.msi (64-bit). Run either the 32-bit or 64-bit installer based on you operating system. Then, you can verify that the Bonjour service is up and running by checking through the Services tab in Windows Task Manager or through running services.msc.

   

2. Allow Bonjour through Windows Firewall

   Make sure Bonjour is allowed through Windows Firewall.