Unable to save host file even with admin rights/UAC off

Hi all I searched the net on how to overwrite or save over the host file in the C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc folder but I cannot seem to make it work here. I tried opening Notepad and run as administrator then file>open the hosts file and then save but I keep getting access denied.

When I try overwriting the host file I keep getting this error

You need permission from S-1-5-21-1707938003-3620065225-122919045-1000 to make changes to this folder

or

if I try to delete the host file I get

You need permission from SYSTEM to make changes to this file.

I tried editing permissions in the etc folder but its disabled even though I am using administrator account

I tried this with UAC off as well. I also tried logging in using Administrator account but same thing. Who is this user? I tried disabling Norton antivirus as well. Can anyone please shed a light on how to solve this in windows 7???

thanks for that I tried it but to no avail I can't still save. It still says I need permission

CarlTR6 said:

Have tried to take ownership of the Host file?

Take Ownership Shortcut

tried that after i did that a different prompt occured it said that I need permission from myself to change the host file. tried logging in using administrator account same result! why is that? it's really weird I have an admin account permission and I need permission from myself to change that file???

Was this computer on a domain at one point, or did it have an admin-level account that was removed?

DeaconFrost said:

Was this computer on a domain at one point, or did it have an admin-level account that was removed?

Yes it's on a WORKGROUP domain. I am not sure what you mean that my admin-level account was removed? I checked my rights and I am under in the group of Administrators. And I also tried logging in as Administrator but still cannot save the hosts file.

Is there anything I should do???

You're answer confuses me more. Is the computer currently on a workgroup or a domain? If it is currently in a workgroup, was it ever on a domain? The error message you gave suggests that there was an admin-level account on the system that was removed, or cannot be verified by name anymore, such as if the computer was pulled from a domain. That's why you are seeing the long string of characters, rather than an actual username.