This guide will assist you: How to edit the Hosts file on Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8/8.1 and Windows 7? To avoid time waste, We suggest following this guide till the end.
We are making this tutorial on a Windows 11 device, The process is pretty the same for Windows 10, Windows 8/8.1 and Windows 7.
Why Can’t I edit The Hosts File On Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8/8.1?
As a way to protect Windows users against malware attacks, Microsoft made editing or modifying the Hosts file a bit difficult in Windows 8, Windows 10, and Windows 11.
On Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7, It was quite easy to edit the Hosts file without any hurdle.
In Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows 8, users cannot edit the hosts file in the conventional manner.
Until Windows 8, Microsoft Windows lacked a native antivirus program. Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows 8 come with a native security suite called Windows Defender or Windows Security.
The built-in antivirus and antimalware does not let edit the Hosts file on Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows 8.
Third-party security suites too do not allow editing the Hosts file. You will have to entirely disable installed third-party antivirus software or exclude the Windows Hosts file from being monitored.
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Is Adding An Exclude For The Hosts File In Windows Defender/Windows Security Safe?
Excluding the Hosts file in Windows Defender also known as Windows Security or third-party security suites is not recommended.
After adding Exclude, The Hosts file will no longer be monitored by Windows Defender or any third-party security suite. In other words, Once malware and other things manage to get onto your system, Exclusion could cause malware and other things to make changes to the Hosts file.
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How To Open The Host File In NotePad On Windows 11/10/8/8.1 To Modify The Hosts File?
Opening the Hosts files in NotePad with administrative privileges is a quick, easy and secure way to edit the Hosts file.
Go to the Start Menu and search for NotePad by typing.
This search will bring up the NotePad Windows Defender. Right Click and open the NotePad Run As Administrator.
Go to the file menu and click Open to locate the Hosts file.
Go to the C drive or the drive, where you have installed Windows.
Then go to the Windows folder.
Look for the System32 folder.
Find the Driver folder here.
The Hosts file can be found in the folder named etc.
To show the Host file, switch from Text Documents to All Files.
Highlight the Host file and click on open to open the Hosts file with Notepad.
Now You can edit the hosts file and save the changes.
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Final Words
We do hope, today’s tutorial has been helpful and useful. Hopefully you have managed to edit, and save the changes to the Hosts file.
In case, we were unable to explain anything clearly, or if you encounter any problems using the comment section, please feel free to let us know. You can count on us, to help you resolve your issue.
Feel free to leave your questions, suggestions, and feedback in the comment.
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