[Guide] Edit Hosts File On Any Version Of Windows

Have you ever stumbled across internet where to crack some programs and you need to edit a host file but wondered where to find this host file?
Then you are at the right place. The general location of a windows host file is  X:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts . Where 'X' denotes the the drive letter of the partition your windows is installed in. (generally X is C).

This Guide will help you in editing your Host File.
Without further ado, below are steps for each Major Windows version on How to edit a Host file on Windows.

For editing host file in Windows 10 :-

1. Click On Start 
2. Click On 'All Apps'
3. Scroll Down till you See 'Windows Accessories'
4. Expand It and You Will See Notepad Listed
5. Right Click On Notepad Icon and click On 'More'
6. Now Click On 'Run As Administrator'
7. Click Yes on UAC and then click File → Open
8. Now Navigate To This Directory : C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts (You can paste it directly in address bar)
9. Make the changes and click on Save. 

For editing host file in Windows 8 :

1. Press the Windows key.
2. Type Notepad in the search field.
3. In the search results, right-click Notepad and select Run as administrator.
4. In Notepad, open the following file: c:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc\hosts
5. Make the necessary changes to the file.
6. Click File > Save to save your changes.

For editing host file in Windows 7 & Vista,

1. Click Start > All Programs > Accessories.
2. Right-click Notepad and select Run as administrator.
3. Click Continue on the Windows needs your permission UAC window.
4. When Notepad opens, click File > Open.
5. In the File name field, type C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc\hosts.
6. Click Open.
7. Make the necessary changes to the file.
8. Click File > Save to save your changes.

For editing host file in Windows NT, Windows 2000, and Windows XP

1. Click Start> All Programs > Accessories > Notepad.
2. Click File > Open.
3. In the File name field, type C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc\hosts.
4. Click Open.
5. Make the necessary changes to the file.
6. Click File > Save to save your changes.

Alternate Method:-

1. Install Notepad++
2. Navigate to this directory :- C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc which is windows host file path.
3. Right click on hosts file and click Edit in Notepad++
4. Make changes and click on save.
5. It will ask you to run as admin. Give Permissions and again click on save.
6. You are Done

P.S.: Sometimes it will open as Save-As Dialogue Box. If that happens then save the file on your desktop. Then Rename the file and remove .txt extension(if the extension doesn't show then Open File Explorer→Click On File→Click On Folder and search options→Cleck On view tab and then untick on 'Hide extensions of known file types' ) and then in File Explorer Open the directory given above and then replace it.