How to edit the Hosts file in 7

Type the following into start search and press enter

%windir%\System32\drivers\etc

Then right click on the hosts file and take ownership

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...

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 said:

That's what I get...

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

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.

Orbital Shark said:

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!

Antman said:

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"

Bumpus said:

Antman said:

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.

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!

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