Edit Hosts File Windows Server 2016 – A Comprehensive Guide for Devs

Hello Dev, welcome to our comprehensive guide on editing hosts file in Windows Server 2016. Hosts file is an important configuration file that maps IP addresses to domain names. In this article, we will guide you through the process of editing hosts file in Windows Server 2016. We will also provide you with some FAQs and tables for better understanding. So, let’s get started!

1. What is Hosts File?

The hosts file is a simple text file that maps hostnames (domain names) to IP addresses. It is used by the operating system to resolve domain names to IP addresses before sending a request to a DNS server. In Windows, the hosts file is located in the following directory:

Operating System	File Path
Windows Server 2016	C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts

The hosts file is a useful tool for network administrators who need to manage domain name resolution on a local network. It can also be used to block access to certain websites or redirect traffic to a specific IP address.

2. Why Edit Hosts File in Windows Server 2016?

There are several reasons why you might want to edit hosts file in Windows Server 2016. Some of them are:

• Testing: If you are a web developer, you might need to test your website locally before publishing it to a live server. Editing the hosts file allows you to create a local domain name for your website.
• Security: You can use the hosts file to block access to malicious websites or redirect traffic to a safe site.
• Accessibility: You can use the hosts file to access websites that are blocked by your ISP or country.

3. How to Edit Hosts File in Windows Server 2016?

Step 1: Open Notepad as Administrator

The hosts file is a system file, which means you need administrative privileges to edit it. To open Notepad as Administrator, follow these steps:

1. Click Start and search for Notepad in the search box.
2. Right-click on the Notepad app and select “Run as Administrator”.

Step 2: Open Hosts File

Once you have opened Notepad as Administrator, you can open the hosts file by following these steps:

1. Click File > Open in Notepad
2. Change the file type to All Files (*.*)
3. Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc
4. Select hosts and click Open

Step 3: Edit Hosts File

Now that you have opened the hosts file, you can edit it by following these rules:

• The first column is the IP address of the website you want to access. If you want to access a website locally, you can use the IP address 127.0.0.1.
• The second column is the domain name of the website you want to access. Make sure you use the correct domain name.
• Use a space or tab to separate the IP address and the domain name.

Step 4: Save Hosts File

Once you have edited the hosts file, you need to save it. Follow these steps to save the hosts file:

1. Click File > Save in Notepad.
2. Make sure the filename is hosts and the file type is All Files (*.*)
3. Click Save

4. Common Mistakes When Editing Hosts File

Editing the hosts file can be tricky, especially if you are new to it. Here are some common mistakes you should avoid:

• Incorrect domain name: Make sure you use the correct domain name when editing the hosts file. Spelling mistakes or wrong domain names can cause errors.
• Incorrect IP address: Make sure you use the correct IP address when editing the hosts file. Using a wrong IP address can cause errors.
• No whitespace: Make sure you use whitespace (space or tab) to separate the IP address and the domain name. Not using whitespace can cause errors.
• No line breaks: Make sure you add a line break after each entry in the hosts file. Not using line breaks can cause errors.

5. Conclusion

Editing hosts file in Windows Server 2016 is an important task that can help you manage your network and access websites locally. We hope this comprehensive guide has helped you understand how to edit hosts file in Windows Server 2016. If you have any questions or comments, please let us know in the comments section below.

FAQs

Q1. What is the hosts file used for?

The hosts file is used to map domain names to IP addresses. It is a simple text file that is used by the operating system to resolve domain names before sending a request to a DNS server.

Q2. Where is the hosts file located in Windows Server 2016?

The hosts file is located in the following directory: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts

Q3. Why do I need administrator privileges to edit hosts file?

The hosts file is a system file, which means it requires administrative privileges to edit. This is to prevent unauthorized changes to the file, which can cause system errors.

Q4. How do I test my website locally using the hosts file?

To test your website locally using the hosts file, you need to create a local domain name for your website. You can do this by adding an entry to the hosts file with the IP address 127.0.0.1 and the domain name of your website.

Q5. How can I block access to a website using the hosts file?

To block access to a website using the hosts file, you need to add an entry to the hosts file with the IP address 0.0.0.0 and the domain name of the website.