Reset Hosts File to Default in Windows

Microsoft has simplified the process somewhat from Windows Vista ... Simply locate the "hosts.zip" file you downloaded, by default it should be located in your "User" Download folder. Highlight the file (single-click) then right-click and select > Extract All from the menu ... Next: Make sure there is a check in the "Show extracted files when complete" option Next: right-click the installer "mvps.bat" and select: Run as Administrator (see below) Ok the UAC prompt and the batch file will run ... which will backup the existing HOSTS file (HOSTS.MVP) then copy the updated HOSTS file to the proper location. You should see a completed prompt (press any key) and that's it ...

The below screenshot shows the "MVPS HOSTS FILE IS NOW UPDATED" message ...

Editors Note: in most cases a large HOSTS file (over 135 kb) tends to slow down the machine.

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 Stop
• Click the drop-down arrow for "Startup type"
• Select: Manual (recommended) or Disabled  click Apply/Ok and restart.

 Hostsman includes an option to turn off the DNS Service [screenshot]

When set to Manual you can see that the above "Service" is not needed (after a little browsing - when set to Manual) 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. There are several Utilities that can reset the DNS Client for you ... [more info]

Editors Note: The above instructions are intended for a single (home-user) PC. If your machine is part of a "Domain", check with your IT Dept. before applying this work-around. This especially applies to Laptop users who travel or bring their work machines home. Make sure to reset the Service (if needed) prior to connecting (reboot required) to your work Domain ...

Important! If you are using Network Discovery then the DNS Client service is required and should not be set to either Manual or Disabled.

 Workaround for using the MVPS HOSTS file and leaving the DNS Client service enabled (set to: Automatic)

• If you find after a period of time that your browser seems sluggish with the DNS Client service enabled you can manually flush the DNS cache
• Close all browser windows ... open a "Command Prompt" from the Start Menu > All Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt
• (type) ipconfig /flushdns (press Enter) Then close the Command Prompt ...

A better workaround would be to add two Registry entries to control the amount of time the DNS cache is saved. (KB318803)

• Flush the existing DNS cache (see above)
• Start > Run (type) regedit
• Navigate to the following location:
  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Dnscache\Parameters
• Click Edit > New > DWORD Value (type) MaxCacheTtl
• Click Edit > New > DWORD Value (type) MaxNegativeCacheTtl
• Next right-click on the MaxCacheTtl entry (right pane) and select: Modify and change the value to 1
• The MaxNegativeCacheTtl entry should already have a value of 0 (leave it that way - see screenshot)
• Close Regedit and reboot ...
• As usual you should always backup your Registry before editing ... see Regedit Help under "Exporting Registry files"

JBF sends along this Tip: IPCOP running a DHCP server needs the DNS Client enabled to function.

 Editing the HOSTS file

In the event you need to edit the HOSTS file and are unable (system message) it may be due to the "permissions" preventing you from editing the file.

• Right click the Hosts file and select > Properties
• Click the Security tab
• Highlight your user account in the list
• Press the Edit button
• Select (place a check in) Full control
• Press OK in the various dialogue boxes to confirm the changes.

You can also Add "Take Ownership" to Context Menu (recommended)

SendTo Tip: if you add Notepad to your SendTo menu, then you can View/Edit the HOSTS file that way.

• Start > Run (type) shell:sendto (press Ok)
• File > New > Shortcut then click Browse and navigate to the Windows folder, highlight "notepad.exe"
• Name your shortcut: Notepad and Ok

You cannot modify the Hosts file or the Lmhosts file in Windows Vista and Windows 7

The actual location defined in the following Registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\DataBasePath

 Other strange quirks

I've seen the HOSTS file "Attributes" set to an value of N or I ... as much as I can find it stands for:

FILE_ATTRIBUTE_NOT_CONTENT_INDEXED

On Windows NTFS volumes, the attribute FILE_ATTRIBUTE_NOT_CONTENT_INDEXED can be set for directories and files, so that the directories and files are not indexed by the Windows Indexing Service.

This occurs when (one or more) of the Advanced File attributes are unchecked = File > Properties > Advanced button
Note: to view the "Attributes" you need to add that option in Windows Explorer ... right-click the Header bar and select: More > Attributes

 Programs are unable to access the HOSTS file message

Windows may detect that the HOSTS file was updated and it assigns a new Security setting to the HOSTS file. Right-click the HOSTS file and select: Properties ... if you see the following message (at the bottom) "This file came from another computer and might be blocked to protect this computer"

• Click Unblock, click Apply, click the Security tab (up top) and take "Full Control" of the file (see above)

 To view Hidden Files

To allow yourself to view all file types, open Windows Explorer  > Tools > Folder Options > View tab
or Organize > Folder and search options > View tab

• Scroll down to the Hidden Files and Folders section
• Select: "Show hidden files and folders"
• Uncheck: "Hide file extensions for known file types"
• Uncheck: " Hide protected operating system files"
• Ok the Prompt, click Apply, Ok