Windows7 will not let me edit the hosts file and save it

Anonymous
2010-04-16T18:31:57+00:00

Windows7 will not let me edit the hosts file and save it. What must I do in order to save the edited host file?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Files, folders, and storage

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Anonymous
2010-04-16T18:47:57+00:00

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

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Anonymous
2010-04-16T20:43:01+00:00

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.

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-10-31T10:13:09+00:00

    What works for me is to keep a copy in a working directory and edit that version and then copy it into the correct Windows directory. The OS doesn't let us edit and save in location but doesn't seem to mind if we copy over it from an other location. Odd that.

    Thank you, that worked like a charm. :)

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-11-06T20:59:07+00:00

    Thank U very!! Information is very useful :)

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-12-04T11:13:45+00:00

    if anyone have this prob still follow this

    To resolve this issue (manually) open the "Services Editor"

    • Start | Run (type) "services.msc" (no quotes)
    • Scroll down to "DNS Client", Right-click and select: Properties -clickStop

    then go to host, edit in notepage and save it, otherwise if it asks to save it as a txt file, do save it on your desktop, rename it and remove .txt and copy n paste it in the host directory.

    then later go to services.msc and start DNS Client, but mostly it will auto start i think..

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