How to find the hosts file in Windows 7, Vista, XP: where is the hosts file
Before talking about where to find the hosts file,it is necessary to understand what it is and why it is needed. In fact, it is a text document that contains information about domain names and their IP addresses.
And since the browser when connecting to anyresource first of all refers to hosts, and only then to DNS servers, then by making changes to this file you can control access to various sites from a specific computer.
In particular, it can be used to deny accessto specific sites, simply by changing their IP. Most often, this trick is used by the creators of viruses, but you can also use it for your own purposes.
Where is the hosts file in Windows 8
After the release of Windows 8 work with the hosts filea bit complicated - when making any changes related to the prohibition of access to sites, the system will ignore them. The developers of the company have done this so that it is not used by cybercriminals and viruses.
To open it for editing, you can go to notepad or Notepad ++, click "File / open" and enter the address C: WindowsSystem32Driversetchosts. In the window that opens, you should installthe "All files" option. In order for the changes that you make in it to work properly, you must disable the tracking of this file in the settings of the Windows Defender.
How to find the hosts file in Windows 7 (Windows Seven)
Most often, in order to find hosts in Windows 7, you just need to go to the address C: WindowsSystem32Drivers, and then select the folder etc, where it is also located. However, in some cases it may not be displayed there, the reason may be that system folders are hidden on your computer by default.
In order for them to become visible,on the top menu bar, find the "Tools" item, select the "Folder properties" line in it, then click on the "View" tab in the appeared window. Here you can already remove the checkmark against the required parameter and vice versa - mark the point about the need to show hidden files and folders.
Host file location in Windows XP
In the operating system Windows XP, as in morelater versions, this file is located on the system drive C in a folder with other system files and drivers. That is, if you want to find it, then you just need to do all the actions described above and go to the address C: WindowsSystem32Driversetc. As a rule, no problems arise with this version of the system, and hosts are located where it is supposed to.
Where is the hosts file in Windows Vista
In order to open this file in thisoperating system, you can use a variety of ways. So, for example, you can use notepad and using the "File" menu, to reach manually at the address indicated above. Or you can just copy it and paste it into the address line that appears when you click "File / Open", so it will be much easier and faster.
What if there is no hosts file?
In the event that it is not in its place, you cantry to perform the actions described above, and also try to find it using a standard search. It should be noted that in the case of search, it should be noted the parameter "search in hidden files and folders".
In addition, you can just download hosts inInternet, where, as you know, you can find anything you like. You can also use this method if you made mistakes in the source file during fixing problems, which you can not eliminate yourself. You just need to copy the information from the downloaded file, in which it is listed "By default" and replace it with everything that is in your.
Author: Katerina Sergeenko
