How to Modify Hosts Files in Windows Vista

Host files are supported by nearly every computer operating system.

The Windows Vista operating system features more than one way to resolve computer host names to IP addresses so that the computer can connect to sites on the Internet and local computers that use host names. Vista sends DNS (Domain Name System) queries to a local or Internet DNS server that resolves the host name to the host IP address for the Vista computer. The other method Vista uses is to look up the host name in the "hosts" file stored locally on the Vista computer to find the IP address. Modify the "hosts" file on a Vista computer when a custom host name to IP address name resolution is required.

Things You'll Need

• IP address corresponding host name of a computer you wish to add to the hosts file

Instructions

1. Click the "Start" button on the Windows Vista desktop, click in the "Search" box and type "Notepad" in the "Search" box. Right-click the "Notepad" icon that appears in the upper-left pane and click "Run as Administrator."

2. Click the "File" menu in the "Notepad" window that appears and click "Open" in the menu that displays. Navigate to the "C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc" directory in Notepad and double-click on the "Hosts" file located in the "etc" directory.

3. Type the IP address of the computer that you wish to add to the Hosts file on the left-most side of an empty line.

4. Tap the "Tab" key two times and then type the host name for the computer on the same line as the IP address.

5. Click the "File" menu and then click "Save" in the menu that appears.

References

• YouTube: How to Edit The Hosts File in Vista
• Maximum PC Guides: Edit the Windows Vista Hosts File