The hosts file in Windows is a text file used to map IP addresses to domain names. Sometimes, you may need to edit this file to redirect traffic from one site to another or to block access to certain web resources. However, even if you are using an administrator account, you might encounter access restrictions. In this article, we will explore several methods to bypass this restriction and edit the hosts file.
Step 1: Run Notepad as Administrator
To edit the hosts file, you need to run a text editor with administrative privileges. Here’s how to do it with Notepad:
- Press the Windows key or click on the Start button.
- Type "Notepad" into the search bar.
- When Notepad appears in the search results, right-click on it.
- Select "Run as administrator."
Step 2: Open the hosts File
- In Notepad, click on "File" -> "Open...".
- Navigate to
C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts. Note that the hosts file might not be visible because Notepad displays only text files by default. Select "All Files (.)" in the dropdown menu next to the "File name" field to see all files. - Select the hosts file and click "Open."
Step 3: Make Changes
Now that the file is open, you can make the necessary changes. For example, to block access to example.com, add the following line at the end of the file:
127.0.0.1 example.com
Step 4: Save the File
After making the changes, save the file by clicking "File" -> "Save". Since you have run Notepad as an administrator, you should have the required permissions to save the changes to the hosts file.
Alternative Methods to Edit the hosts File
1. Using Command Prompt
You can also use the Command Prompt to edit the hosts file:
Press the Windows key and type "cmd".
Right-click on "Command Prompt" and select "Run as administrator".
Type the following command to open the hosts file in Notepad:
notepad C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts
Make the necessary changes and save the file.
2. Copy and Replace the File
If the above methods do not work, you can try editing a copy of the hosts file and then replacing the original:
- Copy the hosts file to your desktop or another folder where you can easily edit it.
- Make the necessary changes to the copied file.
- Move the modified file back to
C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc, replacing the original. Administrative confirmation may be required.
