How-To: Edit your HOSTS file in XP

[rVidia]

Please note this post only pertains to machines with Windows XP installed.

Access is prevented to the websites listed in your HOSTS file, so if you're irritated by a particular pop-up, for example, you could simply add the website it’s coming from to your HOSTS file.

The first step in editing your HOSTS file is to find it.

My Computer > C: (or whatever drive Windows is on) > WINDOWS > system32 > drivers > etc > hosts

Note: If you aren't sure where My Computer is or you just want to use a keyboard shortcut to open it, you can hold down the Windows key (which looks like this) on your keyboard while you press the “E” key.

Right-click on the HOSTS file, and click Open. A window will appear asking what to open it with; find Notepad, select it, and click OK.

If you've never edited your HOSTS file before, this is what it should look like:

# Copyright (c) 1993-1999 Microsoft Corp.
#
# This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows.
#
# This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each
# entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should
# be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name.
# The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one
# space.
#
# Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual
# lines or following the machine name denoted by a '#' symbol.
#
# For example:
#
# 102.54.94.97 rhino.acme.com # source server
# 38.25.63.10 x.acme.com # x client host

127.0.0.1 localhost

You'll notice all entries begin with “127.0.0.1”; all entries MUST begin with this. If a website is preceded by “127.0.0.1”, this means the website cannot load and is blocked. The first entry in the HOSTS file is “127.0.0.1 localhost”. Your HOSTS file MUST begin with that entry.

To add websites to your HOSTS file (to block them), use this as a guideline:

127.0.0.1 www.blockthiswebsite.com

After you've edited your HOSTS file, save the changes made (File > Save).

You’re done!

Optional but recommended:

If you would like to use a pre-made HOSTS file, I recommend you use the MVPS HOSTS file. This HOSTS file blocks websites with ads/banners, parasites, hijackers, and unwanted search engines.

Originally Posted by MVPS.org

In many cases using a well designed HOSTS file can speed the loading of web pages by not having to wait for these ads, annoying banners, hit counters, etc. to load. This also helps to protect your Privacy and Security by blocking sites that may track your viewing habits, also known as "click-thru tracking" or Data Miners. Simply using a HOSTS file is not a cure-all against all the dangers on the Internet, but it does provide another effective "Layer of Protection".

If you would like to use the MVPS HOSTS file, open your HOSTS file and delete everything in it. Copy everything in the MVPS HOSTS file (a quick way to select everything is Ctrl+A, then right-click > Copy). Once everything is copied, paste it into your HOSTS file (right-click > Paste). Then, you can save.

Optional but recommended:

I would also suggest you make your HOSTS file read-only. This is not necessary, but by doing so, it makes it harder for malicious software to modify your HOSTS file. To make your HOSTS file read-only:

1) Right-click on the HOSTS file
2) Click Properties
3) You will see a window open. Look at the bottom of the window. To the right of Attributes, check the box that says Read-only.
4) Click Apply/OK.

Note: When your HOSTS file is read-only, you cannot make any changes to it (setting it to read-only helps in preventing modifications to the file), so if you want to add a new entry to your HOSTS file later on, you'll have to uncheck the Read-only box before you edit; you can then set it back to read-only when you're finished.

[Tortanick]

Shoudln't this be in Tips and Tricks?

Also I think the readers would benifit from some precompiled hosts files that block access to sites with known drive by downloads.

Finally there is a service called DNS client, if your hosts file gets too big this supposedly causes lag. according to mvps.org. Wikipedia disagrees saying that the hosts file will be ignored if the DNS client is run

[rVidia]

Tortanick:

I believe the MVPS HOSTS file blocks access to known websites with drive-by downloads. How to use this HOSTS file is explained in my first post.

As far as the DNS client...

Originally Posted by MVPS.org

Editors Note: in most cases a large HOSTS file (over 135 kb) tends to slow down the machine. This only occurs in W2000 and XP. Windows 98 and ME are not affected.

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
Click the drop-down arrow for "Startup type"
Select: Manual, click Apply/Ok and restart.

You can see that the above "Service" is not needed (after a little browsing) by opening the Services Editor again, scroll down to DNS Client and check the "Status" column. It should be blank, if it was needed it would show "Started" in that column.

This makes perfect sense. For instance, I have the Application Layer Gateway Service set to Manual. If I open the Services Editor, it is "Started" under the Status column. When DNS Client is set to Manual, it is blank; it is not necessary - if it was, it would also be "Started"

I personally have the DNS Client set to disabled and have no problems. Thanks for pointing that out.

[Rob (kern)]

Originally Posted by Tortanick

Shoudln't this be in Tips and Tricks?

yep. done,

btw, excellent post Ray!

[rVidia]

Thanks for the kind words, kern.

I've decided to attach my original document (zipped) if anyone is interested in reading it. It is primarily my first post and various posts after that but only slightly more complex. There's also some additional information I wrote up, including how to make a very simple HOSTS file editor (basically a desktop shortcut to open up the HOSTS file in Notepad). It's a four page document, although it's probably more like 2 - 2 1/2 if you take out spacing.

Again, I appreciate all the input

Ray

[dale@fcg]

I have a host and a host.tmp file. Which one do I want to append?

Also, what sites can I visit to test that ads and popups are blocked?

Lastly, how do I determine the address of an add within a window, such as the lousy Circuit City add I was fighting last
Wed in Paltalk?

[jaydeee]

this is old and effective guide

I like the idea of controlling things on my side rather than expensive other setup.
thanks

[Tortanick]

I know what the MVPS hosts file dose, I'm one satisfied user

I just think that while your guide is usefull a breif metion of one or more premade hosts files wouldn't go amis

[rVidia]

Thanks for the input! I added a brief description of the MVPS HOSTS file and instructions on how to use it.

I also deleted one of my posts and incorporated it into my first post (the "Note" at the end).

[Tortanick]

Your welcome