how to update host file onn windows,How to Update Host File on Windows: A Detailed Guide

How to Update Host File on Windows: A Detailed Guide

Managing your host file on Windows can be a crucial task for various reasons, such as bypassing internet restrictions, testing local websites, or simply troubleshooting network issues. Updating your host file allows you to map domain names to specific IP addresses, overriding the DNS settings provided by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). In this guide, I’ll walk you through the process of updating your host file on Windows, ensuring you have a comprehensive understanding of each step.

Locating the Host File

The host file is typically located in the following directory:

Before proceeding, make sure you have administrative privileges on your computer. If you’re not logged in as an administrator, you’ll need to right-click on the Command Prompt or PowerShell and select “Run as administrator” to edit the host file.

Opening the Host File

There are several ways to open the host file. Here are two common methods:

• Using Notepad:

  1. Press the Windows key and type “Notepad” in the search bar.
  2. Right-click on Notepad and select “Run as administrator” (if prompted).
  3. In Notepad, click “File” > “Open” > “Browse” and navigate to the host file location (C:WindowsSystem32driversetchosts for most Windows versions).
  4. Double-click on the hosts file to open it.

• Using Command Prompt or PowerShell:

  1. Press the Windows key and type “cmd” or “powershell” in the search bar.
  2. Right-click on Command Prompt or PowerShell and select “Run as administrator” (if prompted).
  3. In the command prompt or PowerShell, type the following command and press Enter:
  4. notepad C:WindowsSystem32driversetchosts

Editing the Host File

Once the host file is open, you can start editing it. The host file is a plain text file, so you can use any text editor to view and modify it. Here’s what you need to know about the file format:

• Each line in the host file represents a mapping between a domain name and an IP address.

• The first part of the line is the IP address, followed by a space, and then the domain name.

• Lines starting with a hash symbol () are comments and are ignored by the system.

For example:

127.0.0.1       localhost::1             localhost

Here’s how to add a new entry to the host file:

1. Locate the end of the file.
2. Enter the IP address followed by a space and the domain name you want to map.
3. Press Enter to add the new entry.

For example, to map the domain “example.com” to the IP address “192.168.1.1,” you would add the following line:

192.168.1.1       example.com

Saving and Closing the Host File

After making the necessary changes, save and close the host file. If you used Notepad, click “File” > “Save” and choose the host file location. If you used Command Prompt or PowerShell, simply close the window.

Verifying the Changes

Once the host file is updated, you can verify the changes by opening a web browser and entering the domain name you mapped. If