Editing C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts file on Windows Vista

[The_Big_K]

CEans,

I think following information might be useful to you. Windows Vista does not let you mess with the hosts file located at C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\

(even if you are logged in as an administrator).

There is a simple workaround for it.

Follow these steps:-

1. Click on Start Button
2. Rt. click on 'Notepad'
3. Click "Run As Administrator"
4. Click "Continue" on the prompt
5. Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\ using Notepad's 'Open' location option.
6. Select 'all files' and then choose the 'hosts' file. Make necessary changes and save!

Simple, isn't it?

[kidakaka]

Hi Biggie,

I did have Vista for some time, used it only as Admin. You can do this directly as well. Open the file in notepad or notepad++ and do the changes.

Vista Home right?

[The_Big_K]

I'm not quite sure. I've admin credentials for my Vista Business edition, but I can't save the 'hosts' file simply by clicking 'save' button.

The notepad must be run as administrator (described above) so that hosts file can be saved.

More inputs are welcome

[kidakaka]

A similar file is there in linux - /etc/hosts
And you have to do a similar thing to edit it - sudo vi /etc/hosts

Guess MS has finally decided to do the right thing

Waise, for newbies, the hosts file is used to resolve a domain at the client stage itself. So, if you know the ip address of a server, then just make the entry here to cut the time for the domain name look up