Hi @ Wilders I am unable to edit my hosts file, I think it is a permissions issue even though my account is administrator. I have tried https://hostsfileseditorplus.weebly.com/, PowerRun_x64.exe but none of them work. Two other options appear to remain, 1) add an exception to defender. 2) powertoys hosts editor. In the case of Powertoys it is over a 1gb installation just to get the hosts editor. Does anyone know how to obtain the hosts editor alone? Alternatively, how do I add an exception to Windows Defender to stop it blocking the editing of the hosts file? Thank you Terry
Terry, I can edit the hosts file with Notepad. The file is copied to my D: drive and edited there. I suggest you try editing the file in a WinPE.
Hi Brian Thanks for your help. I can edit the hosts file as you suggest but the problem is when you try to to save to the drivers/etc location to overwrite the existing hosts file it won't do it. Also I can take a copy and put it in a different location and save it with no problem. The issue is overwriting the existing host file? Terry
Hi Brian Update I did as you suggested and used a a WinPE Flash Drive to edit my hosts file and it worked a treat. Thanks again Terry
Hi @ Wilders I started this thread on August 17 to try and find a way to manage my host file on my new PC with Windows 11 24 H2 Home version using Windows security and Tiny Wall Firewall supplemented by Defender UI on Recommended Profile and Simple Windows hardening. In addition my PC is an administrator local account. I have determined, at this stage two things will work 1) at Brian K's suggestion using a Win PE based Flash Drive (Hirens Boot PC USB and Strelec USB) 2) Microsoft Power Toys Host Editor. I have tried many other host editors, installable and portable. None work, principally because of permissions issues. This includes many well known names which I would have expected to work. The purpose of this post is to try and find out why my PC is so sensitive to permissions not just on the hosts file but also in using, for example TakeOwnership Pro which does not work along with other ownership software. So my questions to the Technorati in Wilders is:- Can someone explain why many versions of Windows 11 including 24H2 have no problems using Notepad as Admin to edit and save the host file, whilst I am jumping through hoops and getting nowhere. That is unless I use one or other of the two successful methods. MS Power Toys Host File Editor is flawless in its execution but is over 1gb installed. Using a WinPE based approach is time consuming. So please can someone shed light on what I am missing Thank you Terry
