Entirely blank lines in the file are ignored. To reset the Hosts file back to the default, follow these steps: To reset the Hosts file back to the default, follow these steps according to your operating system: If the Hosts file is changed from default, resetting it can help resolve some connectivity issues. To do this, search for “Notepad” using Cortana, and then tap or click the Notepad icon.Ĭopy the following text, and then paste the text into the file: # Copyright (c) 1993-2006 Microsoft Corp. # This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows. # This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. # entry should be kept on an individual line. # Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual # The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one # be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name. # lines or following the machine name denoted by a '#' symbol. # localhost name resolution is handle within DNS itself. On the File menu, select Save as, type "hosts" in the File name box (as displayed in the following image), and then save the file to the desktop. Search for %WinDir%\System32\Drivers\Etc using Cortana, and then select the File folder icon. Tap and hold or right-click the Hosts file, select Rename, and then rename the file as "Hosts.old".Ĭopy or move the Hosts file that you created in step 3 from the desktop to the %WinDir%\System32\Drivers\Etc folder. If you are prompted to enter an administrator password, select Continue. To do this, swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Search, type Notepad, and then tap the Notepad icon. Or, if you are using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, click Search, type Notepad, and then click Notepad.
Open the %WinDir%\System32\Drivers\Etc folder. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Search, type run, and then tap the Run icon. Or, if you are using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, select Search, type run, and then select the Run icon. Type %WinDir%\System32\Drivers\Etc in the Open box, and then select OK. Select the Hosts file, select Rename, and then rename the file as "Hosts.old".Ĭopy or move the Hosts file that you created in step 3 to the %WinDir%\System32\Drivers\Etc folder. If you are prompted to enter an administrator password, tap or click Continue.