Windows 7: HOSTS File - Create a "Edit HOSTS file" Shortcut

   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 will show you how to download or create a elevated Edit HOSTS file shortcut to make editing the HOSTS file easier to do in Windows 7 and Vista.

   Warning

You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do this tutorial, and to be able to use the created Edit HOSTS file shortcut.

OPTION ONE

To Download the "Edit HOSTS file" Shortcut

1. Click on the Download button below to download the file below.

Edit_HOSTS_file.zip

2. Click on Save, and save the .zip file to the desktop.

3. Open the .zip file and extract (drag and drop) the Edit HOSTS file shortcut to the desktop.

4. Right click on the downloaded Edit HOSTS file shortcut, click on Properties.

4. Click on the General tab, Unblock button, and Apply button. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: If you do not have a Unblock button under the General tab, then the shortcut is already unblocked and you can continue on to step 5.

5. Click on the Shortcut tab, and click on the Advanced button. (see screenshot below)

6. Check the Run as administrator box, and click on OK. (see screenshot below)

7. Click on OK. (see screenshot below step 5)

8. You can now Pin to Taskbar or Pin to Start Menu this shortcut, assign a keyboard shortcut to it, or move it where you like for easy use.

9. When done, you can delete the downloaded .zip file if you like, or save it to use again later.

OPTION TWO

To Manually Create the "Edit HOSTS file" Shortcut

1. Right click on a empty area on desktop, and click on New and Shortcut.

2. Copy and paste the location below into the location area, and click on the Next button. (see screenshot below)

notepad.exe C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts

3. Type Edit HOSTS file for the name, and click on the Finish button. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: You can name this anything you would like though.

4. Right click on the new Edit HOSTS file shortcut on the Desktop and click on Properties.

5. Click on the Shortcut tab, then click on the Advanced button. (see screenshot below)

6. Check the Run as administrator box, and click on OK. (see screenshot below)

7. Click on OK. (see screenshot below step 5)

8. You can now Pin to Taskbar or Pin to Start Menu this shortcut, assign a keyboard shortcut to it, or move it where you like for easy use.