Learn how to edit local hosts file on Windows & macOS
Understanding how to edit local hosts file can be incredibly useful, especially for tasks like redirecting a domain to a specific IP address or troubleshooting DNS issues. This file is a core component of your computer’s network configuration and provides a way to map hostnames to IP addresses directly, bypassing the DNS system.
What Is the Hosts File?
The hosts file is a plain text file used by your operating system to resolve hostnames (like www.example.com) to IP addresses (e.g., 192.168.1.1). It acts as a manual DNS system, giving you control over how specific domains are resolved on your machine.
This can be handy for:
- Testing websites: Pointing a domain to a development server without affecting live traffic.
- Blocking websites: Preventing access to certain domains by redirecting them to a non-existent IP.
- Troubleshooting DNS issues: Verifying whether problems are related to DNS or other factors.
How do I change my local host in Windows?
- Locate the Hosts File The hosts file is located at: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts
- Open the File
To edit the file, you need administrative privileges.
- Open Notepad (or your preferred text editor) as an administrator.
- Right-click the Notepad icon and select Run as administrator.
- In Notepad, go to File > Open and navigate to the path above. Make sure to select All Files in the file type dropdown to see the hosts file.
- Edit the File Add your desired mappings at the end of the file. Use the format: [IP Address] [Hostname] For Example: 127.0.0.1 example.com
- Save Changes
- Save the file. If you encounter permission errors, ensure you opened the editor with administrative rights.
How To Edit the Hosts File on macOS and Linux
- Locate the Hosts File The hosts file is located at: /etc/hosts
- Open the File
- Open a terminal window.
- Use the following command to edit the file with administrative privileges:
sudo nano /etc / hosts
- Edit the File Add your mappings. Example: 192.168.1.100 mylocaltest.com
- Save Changes Press CTRL + O to save the file. Press CTRL + X to exit the editor.
Tips for Editing Your Hosts File
- Backup Before Editing: Before making changes, create a backup of the original hosts file in case you need to revert.
- Use Proper Syntax: Ensure there’s at least one space between the IP address and the hostname. Avoid using # at the start of a line unless you’re adding comments.
- Flush Your DNS Cache: After editing the hosts file, flush your DNS cache to apply changes immediately:
- On Windows: ipconfig /flushdns
- On macOS: dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
- On Linux: Restart the nscd service or flush DNS using your distribution’s command.
Editing your local hosts file is a straightforward yet powerful way to manage how your computer resolves domain names. Whether you’re a developer, IT professional, or just curious about networking, mastering this process can save time and simplify troubleshooting.
