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Introduction

This guide explains the process of editing the hosts file on a Windows system. Follow these steps to add IP addresses and domain names to your hosts file.

1. Open Notepad as Administrator

Click the Windows button to access your applications. Search for “Notepad,” then right-click on it and select Run as Administrator from the context menu.

2. Open the Hosts File

Once Notepad is launched, go to File → Open from the menu bar. Navigate to

C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc\

and select All Files from the dropdown menu to view the hosts file.

3. Edit the Hosts File

Locate the file named hosts and click on it to select it, then click Open.

4. Add IP Address and Domain Name

At the bottom of the text file, add the IP address and domain name of your destination server. Ensure you save the file after making your changes.

5. Verify Changes

You can now open your web browser and navigate to the domain name you added in Step 4 to verify that the changes have been applied.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can successfully modify the hosts file on your Windows system to direct domain names to specific IP addresses. This can be useful for various purposes, such as testing website configurations or blocking certain domains. If you encounter any issues or need further assistance, feel free to reach out for support.

Article posted on 2020-03-24 by Louis