Hosts File in Windows 11/10: Location, Edit, Lock, Manage

The Hosts file in Windows 11/10, is used to map hostnames to IP addresses. This Hosts file is located deep shoot down in the Windows booklet. IT is a plain stitch document, and the size of the freehand default Hosts file is just about 824 bytes.

Hosts Lodge in Windows 11/10

In this post, we bequeath see its location and also how to deal, lock, or edit the Hosts file in Windows 11/10. We will talk over the following:

Host file location
Lock Hosts file to keep hijacking
Stoppage website using the Hosts file
How to cut the Hosts file in
Victimisation free Hosts File Editor software.

Let us have a look at them.

Host file location

The Hosts file in Windows is located at the following location:

C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc

Lock Hosts file to forestall hijacking

Imagine clicking on www.thewindowsclub.com and seeing a completely different internet site lode in your web browser. Malware can redirect Web addresses connected your computer by altering your Hosts file out. This is referred to as the Server File in Hijack.

To prevent Host filing cabinet hijacks, you may sail to it, right-click on IT, select Properties and make information technology a Read-only file. This testament lock down your Hosts file and prevent anyone Beaver State any malware from writing to it.

Block website victimisation the Hosts file

To block a internet site using the Hosts File, plainly add the following entry:

127.0.0.1 blocksite.com

Although I do not arrange it, many users like to manually add entries to it in order to block the beginning of one operating room more particular websites. Others, like to download and use List from well-known sources look-alike mvps.org, to add entries that block malware sites from opening.

How to edit Hosts data file in Windows 11/10

To edit the Hosts single file in Windows 11/10:

Acceptant Explorer
Sail to \System32\drivers\etc\ location
Locate Hosts file
Right-click on it and select Notepad
Make the changes and Relieve.

Now let us go into a elaborate explanation.

To edit the Hosts file, navigate to the following folder positioning:

C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\

Here you bequeath see the Hosts file. Right-click on that and select Notepad. Make the changes and Make unnecessary.

But sometimes, even when you are logged on with administrative credential, you may take in the succeeding error message:

Access to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\ hosts was denied

Cannot create the C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts file. Make a point that the path and single file name are correct.

In this case, type Notepad in Start search and right-click on the Notepad event. Select Run as decision maker.

Open the Hosts data file, make the necessary changes, and and so click Save.

Using unfreeze Hosts File Editor software

If you are looking for an easier way, you tail use a free Hosts file Editor software.

1] Victimization HostsMan

While you can always manually manage or edit Hosts file away manually, I would like to suggest that you use of goods and services a 3rd-party freeware tool same HostsMan to bash it.

Hosts file in Windows 8

HostsMan is a feature-rich tool that lets you add, remove, redact entries in the Hosts file. It also lets you easily supply third-party Hosts lists that assistanc in block malware sites and lets you easy enable operating theatre disable the Hosts file. It includes a built-in hosts file updater & a hosts editor. Information technology lets you scan the hosts file for errors, duplicates, and possible hijacks – and also lets you create an Exclusion list. One more useful feature information technology offers is the Hosts lodge computer backup coach. Backup your Hosts lodge to a risk-free place and use IT to restore it, should the need arise.

Hostman also lets you Flush DNS cache, unobstructed Hosts with a copyreader, count the number of hosts, find duplicates, replace IP, glance over hosts for malicious entries, rearrange hosts, manage DNS Client Servicing and more. In short, it's the only Hosts Manager that you testament even need. You terminate download information technology from its homepage.

2] Using SysMate Hosts File Handler

SysMate Hosts File Walker

SysMate Hosts Lodge Director and is some other tool that lets you do so. With Host File away Walker you can contribute every bit many records to the system hosts file. It tied lets you backup and restore the Hosts File.

3] Using Host File Editor puppet

Edit Hosts File in Windows 10

Host File Editor is another good tool that you can use. It has the following features:

Enable and disable hosts file from the arrangement tray
Cut, imitate, spread, duplicate, enable, handicap and move entries
Filter and sort host entries
Backup and restore various hosts file configurations when switching 'tween environments
Pink endpoints to check availability.

You can download IT from here. It offers a portable version too.

TIP: How to manually reset Hosts file backward to default on in Windows may also interest you.

If your browser has been hijacked, you power find this station on Browser Highjacking and Disengage Browser Hijacker Removal Tools helpful.