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Important! Updating the HOSTS
file in Windows Vista
requires
special instructions Due to the restrictions imposed by UAC (Users Access Control)
users are prohibited from running any batch files, so the included
installer "mvps.bat" does not work unless you turn off or
modify UAC (not recommended).
However I have come up with a fairly simple solution ... using
the power of SendTo.
[or]
You can Update the HOSTS file via "Elevated"
Command Prompt
[or]
You can use one of the Related Utilities
specifically designed for this purpose ... |
Updating the HOSTS
file via the SendTo method
The first step is to create a new shortcut in your SendTo folder.
Open Windows Explorer to:
\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo
Note: where "<username>" is your login name
[or]
Start | Run (type) shell:sendto (click Ok)
Next: Right-click in the right pane and select: New >
shortcut [screenshot]
In the next dialog box click Browse and navigate to:
Windows\System32\drivers\etc
Click Ok and in the next dialog box name the shortcut (example)
Update Hosts
In the future when you wish to update the HOSTS file, download
the "hosts.zip", extract the included files and right-click on the
included updated HOSTS file and select: SendTo > Update Hosts
Note: UAC will prompt for permission for this action,
click Ok and proceed ...
Next you will see the below prompt, click Continue and proceed.
Finally you will see a prompt to Copy and Replace the existing
file, click Copy and Replace.
| Note: this will overwrite (delete) the existing file, so if
you have any custom entries in the file I would suggest copying
these prior to updating the file. Then open the HOSTS file and paste
your custom entries. Alternately you can use the
below method that does create a backup of your HOSTS
file. Editors Note: I know this is not a perfect solution, but
given the restrictions of the new Windows version it is a workable
solution until something is found that offers a better method. |
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Updating the HOSTS
file via "Elevated" Command Prompt
You can add a right-click Folder menu option "Open Command
Window Here (Administrator)",
Download
cmd-admin.reg
then right-click and select: Merge (Ok the prompt) ... no need to
reboot.
Next extract the "hosts.zip"
Right-click on the newly created "hosts" folder
Select the option:
Open Command Window Here (Administrator)
Next: (type) mvps.bat (press Enter)
You should see the updated message ...Thanks to
Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP
for the suggestion |
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Modify Users Access Control (Administrators only)
Control Panel > Administrative Tools
Select: Local Security Policy (when prompted, click Continue)
In the left pane, expand Local Policies and click Security Options.
In the right pane, scroll down to User Account Control:
Double-click on: "Behavior Of The Elevation Prompt For
Administrators In Admin Approval Mode"
In the drop-down box on the Local Security Settings tab
Select Elevate Without Prompting, Click Apply/OK.
Note: do NOT run Windows Vista with UAC turned off
as this also turns off the "Protected Mode" in Internet Explorer.
Related Utilities
By modifying the UAC I was able to get
HostsMan to work and update the HOSTS file in Vista.
You
can also use HostsXpert to
update the HOSTS file in Vista ...
