Hosts: always Access Denied or asking for Admin permissions

So I've been trying to modify my hosts file for a while now. On and off because I was fed up with searching and trying different things then always ending up failing.
So that is why I am posting on this forum, asking for help from you guys.

So far I have tried:

• Unchecking Read-Only for the file and the 'etc' folder

• Opening Notepad as administrator

• Taking ownership

• Activating the 'Hidden Admin Account'

• Made sure I had all the right permissions for the file (right click 'hosts', properties, security, etc.)

I might or might not have forgotten something. Also, there is only one account on my laptop and it is me. And I am the admin.

Thank your for reading.

I was able to do it through notepad running as an administrator... What happened when you tried? Can you upload a screenshot?

writhziden said:

I was able to do it through notepad running as an administrator... What happened when you tried? Can you upload a screenshot?

Here's a screenshot of what happens when I open the hosts file with Notepad as admin.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2380144/Scre...1_54531_pm.png

What antivirus are you running?

writhziden said:

What antivirus are you running?

I am using Kaspersky Internet Security 2011 11.0.2.556.

DudeOnFire said:

writhziden said:

What antivirus are you running?

I am using Kaspersky Internet Security 2011 11.0.2.556.

That is probably not the issue then. I've heard of some software's firewall programs causing issues with opening the hosts file. The only workaround I've found for people in your situation is to change the file through Safe Mode

Booting into Safe Mode to edit my hosts file actually worked! I should have thought of that! Thank you for all your help.

logicearth said:

Could have just dragged the host file to your desktop edit it there, then moved it back....

I'll try that next time I need to edit my hosts file again! Thank you!

DudeOnFire said:

logicearth said:

Could have just dragged the host file to your desktop edit it there, then moved it back....

I'll try that next time I need to edit my hosts file again! Thank you!

I'm not sure that will work, but it is worth a try. Since you had access denied, you wouldn't have been able to move it, and copying it and then trying to move it back would have likely resulted in "Access is denied" when you tried to replace the file.