Change Or Add A Host File

[sasamat]

i have to change or add a host file. I was given explicit instruction and i have changed it according to instructions several times
I go to try it and find that file reverts back to original. Told to to stop defender, tried that - still erases new file.
Using Windows 10 pro with all upgrades. Could someone that has actually done this successfully please help me. Thanks

 

[Trouble]

Typically the C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts file is protected against edits.
IF you have explicitly granted your user account full control to the file and are able to make edits and save the file as "hosts" no extension in the same location and your edits are not preserved, then.....
I would suspect that there is some third party utility that is reverting your changes.
Seems to me I remember Spybot Search and Destroy back in the day doing something like this and there are likely others as well.

After the edits are saved.... when are they reverted?
Immediately? IF you go back to the saved file are the changes gone?
After a restart?
After a log off and on?

How many edits are you making?
What size is the file..... before and then after the edits?
While there is not a limit to the file size there are other limits that you may need to address
https://library.netapp.com/ecmdocs/ECMP1368834/html/GUID-C6F3B6D1-232D-44BB-A76C-3304C19607A3.html

 

[sasamat]

Typically the C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts file is protected against edits.
IF you have explicitly granted your user account full control to the file and are able to make edits and save the file as "hosts" no extension in the same location and your edits are not preserved, then.....
I would suspect that there is some third party utility that is reverting your changes.
Seems to me I remember Spybot Search and Destroy back in the day doing something like this and there are likely others as well.

After the edits are saved.... when are they reverted?
Immediately? IF you go back to the saved file are the changes gone?
After a restart?
After a log off and on?

How many edits are you making?
What size is the file..... before and then after the edits?
While there is not a limit to the file size there are other limits that you may need to address
https://library.netapp.com/ecmdocs/ECMP1368834/html/GUID-C6F3B6D1-232D-44BB-A76C-3304C19607A3.html

I have to make one edit for a single website. I make the change, actually I add a new IP address, thru command (as administrator) and notebook. I open website and get message that address has not changed. I know it was added, as I checked it, but when I go back thru command and notebook the address has been erased. As I said in original post I disabled Defender while I did this. Perhaps I am not putting new address in correct area, but I have tried to do exactly as people that claim to be in the know tell me works. I have not had one person say that they have actually done this with Win 10 Pro, though and that is puzzling to me. Please I do need help

 

[Trouble]

thru command (as administrator) and notebook

Not sure why you are using a command prompt.
Why don't you just use file explorer to browse to C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\ETC
AND
Open the hosts file by double clicking it and choosing (when prompted) "Notepad"
Add your edit, save and close.
IF you don't get an error when saving you should be good to go.
Double check by opening it again to see if your edit is present.

 

[sasamat]

Not sure why you are using a command prompt.
Why don't you just use file explorer to browse to C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\ETC
AND
Open the hosts file by double clicking it and choosing (when prompted) "Notepad"
Add your edit, save and close.
IF you don't get an error when saving you should be good to go.
Double check by opening it again to see if your edit is present.

Tried that way, message comes up can not save

 

[Trouble]

Exactly. In my original post to you in this thread

explicitly granted your user account full control to the file and are able to make edits and save the file as "hosts" no extension in the same location

So browse to the "hosts" file and right click it and choose "Properties"
Select the "Security" tab and click the "Advanced" button
Click the "Change permissions" button
Click the "Disable inheritance" button and choose "Convert" when prompted
Now click the "Add" button
Then the "Select a principal" link near the top
Click "Advanced" button
Click "Find now" button
Choose your user name from the list at the bottom and double click it and click OK
Now tick the "Full control" check box at the top and click "OK" again and "OK" again and answer "Yes" when prompted, then OK again
That should do it.

 

[sasamat]

Exactly. In my original post to you in this thread

So browse to the "hosts" file and right click it and choose "Properties"
Select the "Security" tab and click the "Advanced" button
Click the "Change permissions" button
Click the "Disable inheritance" button and choose "Convert" when prompted
Now click the "Add" button
Then the "Select a principal" link near the top
Click "Advanced" button
Click "Find now" button
Choose your user name from the list at the bottom and double click it and click OK
Now tick the "Full control" check box at the top and click "OK" again and "OK" again and answer "Yes" when prompted, then OK again
That should do it.

WOW!! Thank you, that looks like it is exactly what I need, It will be a while before I can try it, but I will do so, and I appreciate your help