How to Edit Hosts File in Windows 10
How to Edit Hosts File in Windows 10 – The “hosts” file is a plain text file that converts hostnames into IP addresses. A hosts file aids in identifying the network nodes of the computer network. Hostnames are a user-friendly label or name assigned to an item (host) within the network. It is can be used to differentiate one device from the other on a specific network, or via the Internet. To locate a host on any IP-based network, we must know the IP address. In order for the hosts file function, the host’s label must match to the real IP address. You may like this article How to Change IP Address in Windows 10.
Why do we need hosts files on system?
It is the www.domain.com that we utilize as an example as the name of our hostname that we access the website. However, the sites within the network are located with numerical addresses (eg 8.8.8.8) also known as IP addresses. Hostnames are utilized because it’s nearly impossible to recall the IP addresses of all websites. Therefore, when you type any hostname into your browser the hosts file first used to match it to an IP address, then the website is opened. If the hostname is no match to the host file the computer will get it’s IP address through the DNS server (Domain Name Server).
A hosts file can cut down the time required to complete an DNS query and then receive the response each time a website is visited.
Additionally, the hosts file has mappings that can override information that are retrieved directly from DNS servers. DNS server.
How can I edit the hosts file for my use?
Editing hosts file is a possible.
- You can make shortcuts for websites by adding the necessary entry in your hosts file, which links the website’s IP address with the hostname that you prefer.
- It is possible to block any site or advertisements by mapping their hostnames on your personal computer’s address which is 127.0.0.1 or”the loopback IP.
Editing the Hosts file on Windows 10
It is important that you make a backup in the event that there is a problem.
The hosts file is located at C:Windowssystem32driversetchosts on your computer. Because it’s simply a text document, it is editable and opened in Notepad . Without wasting your time, let’s look at how to edit the Hosts text file in Windows 10.
1. Press the Windows Key and in the search box, type Notepad.
2. Just right click on Notepad and choose ” “Run it as an administrator “.
3. A prompt will pop up. Choose “Yes” and continue.
4. An open notepad screen will be displayed. Choose from the option File option in the menu, and then select”Open” open the file.
6. Browse to C: Windowssystem32driversetc to open the hosts file .
7. If you are unable to locate the hosts file inside this folder, choose ‘ all files in the menu below.
8. Choose Hosts File and Click open.
9. Now , you can view all the information in hosts.
10. Edit or make the needed modifications in the host file.
11. Open Notepad using Document > Save or Press Ctrl+S to save modifications.
Edit the Hosts file for Windows 7 and Vista
- Select on the button to start button.
- Click on ‘ All Programs Then click on ‘ Accessories ‘.
- Select the right click on Notepad and choose ‘ Run as administrator ‘.
- A prompt will be displayed. Click Continue.
- In Notepad you can open Folder followed by open the file.
- Select ‘ All files select ‘All files’ from the menu.
- Browse to C:Windowssystem32driversetc and open the hosts file.
- To save your modifications, go to File > Save , or press Ctrl+S.
Edit the Hosts.file using Windows NT, Windows 2000, and Windows XP
- Press the Start button.
- Click on “All Programs Then click on Accessories’.
- Select Notepad.
- Press Ctrl+O
- Choose ‘ All files select ‘All files’ from the menu.
- Browse to C:Windowssystem32driversetc and open the hosts file.
- To save your modifications, go to “File > Save” or Press Ctrl+S.
Every line of the hosts file has an entry that links an IP address to the host name or. Each line includes initialized with the IP address, then an asterisk or space character, then it’s hostname(s). For example, if you need xyz.com to be pointing to 10.9.8.7 Then, you write ‘10.9.8.7 xyz.com” on the new line of the file.
Modify the host file by using applications from third parties
The easiest method of editing hosts files involves using third-party programs that offer more features like blocking sites or sorting records. Two of these softwares include:
HOSTS FILE EDITOR
With this program, you can effortlessly handle your hosts files. Apart from altering the file you can transfer several entries at a given time, activate filters, disable, or sort entries archives and restore host file configurations, and more.
It will show you an interface in tabular form for every entry inside the hosts files, including hostname, IP address, and comments columns. You can disable or enable the whole hosts file by clicking on the Hosts File Editor icon in the notification.
RECEIVER
HostsMan is yet another freeware application which allows you to effortlessly control your host file. Its features include a built-in updating hosts files, enabling or disable hosts files and examine hosts for errors or duplicates, and possibly hijacks and more.
How can you protect Your host files?
1. Go to C:Windowssystem32driversetc.
2. Right-click on the hosts folder and choose properties.
3. Choose”Read Only” as the “Read Only” property and select Apply.
The only thing you have to do is edit hosts files and block ads. You can also create personal shortcuts of your choice, and assign the local domains of computers and so on.