Hosts is an important file in the operation of the system, in particular in maintaining the stability of the browser and the Internet. Many active users of social networks are already familiar with this file due to numerous locks and viruses. In this article, you will find out where Hosts (Windows 7) is and what it is for.
File purpose
Hosts is a configuration file in which various site locks and other information are registered. A careless user can accidentally infect their computer with Internet advertising, and the browser with virus tabs and pages. In addition, access to certain sites may be blocked (depending on the malware). Most often, such problems are encountered with social networks. The file registers the connection between the IP address of the site and its name.
By format, Hosts is an ordinary text file without specific permission, which can be opened in any editor, including the standard Notepad. It is not recommended to make changes to the contents of the file without proper knowledge, delete entries from it, otherwise no one guarantees the operability of the browser and individual sites. You can only delete certain entries related to a particular blocked site. Where Hosts (Windows 7) is located, hidden folder mode can be set . To do this, open sharing settings.
How to detect tampering with a file?
If you opened Hosts and did not find anything suspicious, then do not rush to say goodbye to the file. Notice the scroll bar in Notepad. Often, attackers add entries after a large number of empty lines at the end of the file. Check their availability by scrolling through the file to the end. The second trick, because of which you may not understand where Hosts (Windows 7) is, is a hidden file. And finally, the third way to cheat is to replace the file. Carefully review the folder in which Hosts is located and delete all files of the same name. Original Hosts must not have permission.
Where to find?
The easiest way to find out where Hosts (Windows 7) is, is to use the search engine of the operating system. In "Windows 7" you need to click on the "Start" menu and drive in the file name. The search results will display all the files with the name hosts that are on the computer. We leave only the original, and boldly delete the rest.
You can also use the search in Explorer. If you’ve already got to the right folder or just to the system drive and can’t find the right place, just type the name of the folder or file into the search box of the window. It works the same as searching from the Start menu.
Manual Search
Now let's figure out where the Hosts file is (Windows 7 x64). To do this, go to your system drive on which the OS is installed. The system may block access if you are opening this section for the first time. Then click on the option "Display all folders" and continue. Next, go to the Windows folder. Locate the System32 subkey in it. Open the Drivers folder, followed by etc. In it you will see the Hosts file (Windows 7), where all the information about IP addresses and domains is located.
If there is no file at all in the specified location, then the problem of blocking sites is not in it. You can create new Hosts with the extension .txt and write the necessary parameters in it yourself. The new Hosts (Windows 7), where all domain information is located, will be perceived by the system as original.