How to edit the Hosts file in 7

[ashes]

Hi people

I need help here, I have some older applications that wont work unless i change their 'update ip', (dont know what its called), in the hosts file.

I have found numerous ideas on how to edit in the hosts file, but none of them has worked so far.

When I run Notepad as administrator, and from there > Open > Browse to 'C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts' it only open a sample of the 'hosts' file. It wont let me open the real file for some reason. I am logged in as admin and additionally I run Notepad as admin too - Which should let me do what ever I want, - Right?



I have already read and tried these 'solutions' but none of them worked:

Edit hosts file in Windows 7 & Windows Vista | Windows Reference

How to: Edit Hosts File in Windows 7 | COMPUTELOGY - Tech, Tips n Reviews on Windows Linux Mac


Is there a work-around to this?

NB: I am using an OEM (dell) version of Win7

 

[Tews]

You need to Take Ownership of the host file... See Brinks tutorial --==> Here

Also see this .... http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/78266-hosts-file-use-windows-7-vista.html?ltr=H

 

[johngalt]

If you open the hosts file in the default location, and there is nothing in there....

then the instructions are lying to you and you need to find out where the IP is really being stored.

One thing - how long ago did the IP change? If recently, entering the command

ipconfig /flushdns

may help resolve this issue.

 

[logicearth]

What I do, drag a copy of the host file to my desktop, edit that, then drag the copy back to the rightful location. Done deal.

 

[johngalt]

@Tews - I just edited my hosts file without taking ownership - only ran Notepad as admin just as the OP stated.

 

[z3r010]

@Tews - I just edited my hosts file without taking ownership - only ran Notepad as admin just as the OP stated.

You must of changed something, by default you need to take ownership.

 

[ashes]

Tews>
Just tried out the 'Take Ownership', but as you see in the link below, it didnt work:

peecee.dk | Vis upload sniped1.PNG

johngalt>
I got this Dell laptop only days ago and reinstalled this OEM of Win7 yesterday. The applications I want to use are really old, but I have some old files that I need to open with them. - I dont think I know exactly what you mean by 'how long ago did the IP change?' or what the command might do for me, - I still need to change the app 'update IP' to another, otherwise everytime I open the application it wont let me continue. :S I used to be able to do this in XP and Vista, but in 7 it seems the hosts file is totally locked somehow?

logicearth>
I've already tried that, but you see - the hosts file that I copy still only shows as a sample no matter where I take it. Editing the sample wont do me anything I'm afraid

 

[ashes]

Tews>
Here's a bigger picture for you

peecee.dk | Vis upload sniped1.PNG

 

[ashes]

Just did a search for more entries of a/the hosts file in 7, and this came up -

peecee.dk | Vis upload sniped2.PNG

Do you think that any of the 2 other instances are the 'right' hosts file?

 

[Orbital Shark]

C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\ETC\Hosts should be the default & correct location for the host file

I've just copied the file to Documents and opened it directly from there, no admin privliges needed. You should be able to edit it, save it, then copy it back to it original home. You will need to confirm a UAC notification....

 

[z3r010]

Type the following into start search and press enter

%windir%\System32\drivers\etc

Then right click on the hosts file and take ownership

 

[Crypto]

The 3rd one should work, by the looks of it, it seems like you have the same host file in 3rd and 4th location by the size and date of modification.

 

[ashes]

Orbital Shark>
Believe me, I've tried that a dozen times now, - whenever i copy the hosts file, its still the sample that I open from the new location and not the original file. It says "this is a sample' just like on the snipe i posted here before...

 

[ashes]

Heres the 'proof' that it doesnt help copying the file elsewhere:

peecee.dk | Vis upload sniped3.PNG

- As you see its still the sample and not the actual hosts file!!!

 

[Orbital Shark]

That's what I get...

You need to add things underneath it like this....

 

[Antman]

That's what I get...

You need to add things underneath it like this....

View attachment 27599

Adobe? You are so BUSTED!!!

But I think you are right. The OP is not understanding the SAMPLE text.

Ashes - ignore the wrod SAMPLE. The file is no longer a sample if you put something in it.

It belongs at %windir%\System32\drivers\etc

IGNORE all other copies.

 

[R0am3r]

C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\ETC\Hosts should be the default & correct location for the host file

I've just copied the file to Documents and opened it directly from there, no admin privliges needed. You should be able to edit it, save it, then copy it back to it original home. You will need to confirm a UAC notification....

This method worked for me. Thanks!

 

[Bumpus]

Ashes - ignore the wrod SAMPLE. The file is no longer a sample if you put something in it.

It belongs at %windir%\System32\drivers\etc

IGNORE all other copies.

This is short cuz this is all ado about nothing...

That IS the host file...ignore the phrase "sample"

 

[Antman]

Ashes - ignore the wrod SAMPLE. The file is no longer a sample if you put something in it.

It belongs at %windir%\System32\drivers\etc

IGNORE all other copies.

This is short cuz this is all ado about nothing...

That IS the host file...ignore the phrase "sample"

Yes. Thank you for clarifying that.

 

[DrWho]

Please, don't anyone think that I'm promoting myself as a HOSTS expert, but I do have some experience with it.

I first ran into using the HOSTS file some time (years) ago when I needed to change the Server designation for my Anti-Virus program, to use the Professional Server instead of the FREE server.

Anyway, I just opened Win-7 and accessed my HOSTS file.
When I tried to edit it by adding another entry, it saved my work to Hosts.txt and not the main Hosts file itself. Hmmmmm!:huh:

My solution was to rename the main HOSTS file to HOSTS.bac and then rename the hosts.txt file to HOSTS (NO Extension).
That worked like a treat.

However, all this was only an effort to verify, for myself, what's being said here in this thread.
Actually, I never really needed to go through all those acrobatics to work with my hosts file. I use the "Hosts Manager" program from "abelhadigital(dot)com" and I use it weekly to keep my HOSTS file up to date. It lets me view and edit my hosts file at will.

I've been doing this for quite some time now and I share the HOSTS Manager program with many of my customers, so they can keep their own HOSTS file up to date. It's a great protection against your browser being redirected to a porn site, or worse.

HOSTS Manager is almost a "Must Have" when children are using the home PC. I won't set up a PC without it. It's just one more level of security.

Sorry, I didn't mean to rant or ramble.

Cheers Mates!
The Doctor