Windows 7: HOSTS File - Add or Remove from Desktop Context Menu

   Information

The HOSTS file is a .txt file used in Vista and Windows 7 to map hostnames to IP addresses. Your computer checks this file first to resolve any network names to its corresponding IP address before it tries to check the Internet.

The hosts file is located in the C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc folder. Normally you would open Notepad with Run as administrator and open (File - Open) the the hosts file from within Notepad to edit it.

This tutorial will show you how to add Edit HOSTS file to the context menu of the desktop to make editing the hosts file easy to do in Vista and Windows 7.

   Warning

You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do this tutorial, and to be able to use the added Edit HOSTS file context menu item.

1. To Add "Edit HOSTS file" to the Desktop Context Menu

A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.

Add_Edit_HOSTS_file_to_Context_Menu.reg

B) Go to step 3.

2. To Remove "Edit HOSTS file" from the Desktop Context Menu
NOTE: This is the default setting.

A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.

Remove_Edit_HOSTS_file_to_Context_Menu.reg

3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the desktop.

4. Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge.

5. Click on Run, Yes, Yes, and OK when prompted.

6. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.