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Windows7 will not let me edit the hosts file and save it. What must I do in order to save the edited host file?
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It's a built-in safety feature. There is an easy workaround. ClickStart ->All Programs -> Accessories. Right-clickNotepad, and then click Run as administrator. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or clickAllow or Yes.
Open the Hosts file (from the notepad you just opened) , make your changes, and then click File ->Save.
Barbara
You need to either take ownership of the file (Right click the hosts file, Security tab, and give yourself full rights), or open Notepad as Administrator and open, edit and save your hosts file from there. It's designed that way so some rogue malware can't come in and change that.
Thanks to all for sharing options here.
I was experiencing all of the aforementioned issues while attempting to manipulate the hosts file. This is definitely a pesky anti virus issue. I use Avira and [temporarily] switched off its 'Real-time Protection', and was able to rename hosts to hostsOrig and then rename the host file with the changes I had made to it (hostsi.txt) to hosts.
Didn't try opening Notepad as Administrator as, although I'd done that earlier - and I'm sure it will work the same - I already had created a .txt hostsi file.
And yes, I did remember to switch back on the 'Real-time Protection' in Avira.
Cheers ND
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Remove Read-Only from file Properties.
Then Try it Again. i am sure it will work for u.
