How To Edit Host File Windows 10

There's an piece of cake manner and a hard manner to edit the hosts file in Windows 10. In this commodity, we'll show you both.

If you lot're a regular groovyPost reader, you know that DNS translates domain names like groovyPost.com into IP addresses similar 104.24.xi.25. But did you lot know that at that place'due south a file on your Windows 10 PC that can override that? It's called your hosts file and lets you map specific domain names to an IP address of your choosing. Your HOSTS file only affects your computer, so you can utilise it to create custom URLs for IP addresses on your network, or you can apply it to redirect sure websites.

Every bit you lot can imagine, editing the HOSTS file tin can hands interruption your cyberspace if it's modified incorrectly or maliciously. So, information technology's not particularly easy for a normal user to edit. This is a good thing. Only if you want to change your HOSTS file purposefully, here'south how.

Edit Your Windows 10 Host File as an Administrator

The HOSTS file is normally stored in a plain text file in the Windows System binder and tin can be modified for various use cases. One item reason I edited the Host file in the past was to block certain websites when I imaged computers for a local high school. This was probably one of the all-time and easiest means I could ensure students didn't load any unauthorized websites such as Facebook or YouTube.

Editing your Windows Hosts file doesn't accept to feel similar going down a rabbit pigsty. In Windows XP and earlier versions, the procedure was quite easy, add together an exception to your antivirus, open information technology in Notepad, make your changes then save it.

In Windows 10, if you try to edit your hosts file, you lot'll probably be able to open it merely fine, simply when you go to save it, you'll become an fault:

Here'south how you can edit your hosts file without getting the "Yous don't accept permission to salvage in this location. Contact the administrator to obtain permission" error.

Hit the beginning bill of fare or press the Windows central and start typingNotepad.

Right-click Notepad and chooseRun as administrator.

In Notepad, clickFilethenOpen… In the File name field, paste the following path in:

c:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc\hosts

Now you'll exist able to edit and save changes to your HOSTS file.

To map a domain, add a line based on the examples in the HOSTS file.

First with the target IP address, then a infinite, then the domain name. If you want to block a website, redirect information technology to 127.0.0.1.

Don't put in the # if you want it to take effect.

Also, remember that www.youtube.com is different than youtube.com.

You lot may need to restart your computer for the new HOSTS file to accept effect.

An Easier Mode to Edit the Hosts File in Windows 10

If you found that process a chip cumbersome, in that location's a third-political party utility you can apply to alter your HOSTS file. I found a expert one called Hosts File Editor by Scott Lerch. Allow'southward take a look and meet how it works.

Now that you lot know the basics, here'due south how you lot exercise it using the app, HOSTS File editor.

Download the 1 MB installer, then proceed to ready it upward. Think to choose the option just for yourself if you don't want other users to access it.

Launch the app in Start > All apps—this will add the app to the Notification area, where you can launch the editor anytime you demand to.

Hosts File Editor features a clean, easy-to-use interface. To begin using the program, populate the tabular array with IP Addresses, Host Names, and comment on the websites you lot want to manage. It's not just express to popular Internet websites. Even devices on your abode network with an IP address tin exist managed, so your Xbox, iPad, web cameras, or routers are much easier to block admission to if needed.

When you are ready to block a website, check the box for the sites you lot want to forestall access to, click Salvage, and that'southward it.

Another nice ease of use feature is the ability to right-click the Hosts File Editor in the Notification area, click Disable Hosts File, or make a quick edit. No need to become hunting or launch the command line anymore.

There are some other cool features included for power users and network administrators, such every bit:

Cutting, copy, paste, indistinguishable, enable, disable and move i or more entries at a time.
Filter and sort when at that place are a large number of host entries
Archive and restore various hosts file configurations when switching between environments
Automatically ping endpoints to check availability

So, there you have information technology, a quick and easy fashion to edit your Hosts File in Windows ten.