First, Whats Is The Hosts File?
The hosts file is an operating system file used to map hostnames to i.p addresses. This file is a text file and can be edited to block hostnames and i.p addresses.
If you are an iPhone user, you must have come across this file when trying to fix certain iPhone errors. For example, the hosts file would need to be edited in order to fix the iTunes error 3194 and the iPhone error 3014
How To Open The Hosts File From ‘Windows’ Operating System
To open the hosts file from Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8, the file path is:
C:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts
To open the hosts file from Windows NT and Windows 2000, the file path is:
C:\WINNT\System32\drivers\etc\hosts
To open the hosts file from Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows ME, the file path is:
C:\windows\hosts
How To Edit The Hosts File from Windows
For Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8 (Not for XP)
First, you must open Notepad as administrator. Find Notepad from Start > All programs > Accessories > Notepad. Right click on it and select Run as administrator. When Notepad is open, drag and drop the hosts file into the open Notepad window.
For Windows XP and Older
After you have found the hosts file, just right click on it, then choose Open with, then select Notepad or any other text editor available on your computer.
Saving The Hosts File
It is recommended that you save a ‘copy’ of the original hosts file somewhere in case you encounter any errors in future or you forget the edits you made.
After making all the edits you wish to make to the hosts file, simply click File -> Save. Thats all 🙂