How-To: Edit your ''hosts'' file to preview a domain name

Do this if you want to preview your site on our servers without changing DNS.

You will need the domain name (eg: example.com, test.example.com) and the IP address of the target server. Make sure you close all open browser windows before doing this.

Common locations of the 'hosts' file:

Windows 95/98/Me: c:\windows\hosts
Windows NT/2000: c:\winnt\system32\drivers\etc\hosts
Windows XP (Home OR Pro): c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts
(you may need administrator access for Windows NT/2000/XP)

NOTE: 'hosts' is the name of the file and not another directory name.
It does not have an extension (eg: .exe, .txt, .doc, etc.)

1) Copy the location to your 'hosts' file from the respective Operating System above (copy only the bold area)
2) Open Windows Notepad (Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> Notepad)
3) Click on the File menu and choose Open...
4) Paste that location into the File name: field and click the Open button
5) Start on a new line at the bottom of the file
6) Type the IP address, hit the TAB key, then type the domain*
7) Save the file and close all open browsers before attempting to browse to the domain.

*You can add more than one hostname on the same line, just make sure you have at least one space or TAB in between each one.

Example line:

192.168.0.10    example.com test.example.com www.example.com

Remember, this is only a temporary fix, so once your registrar has the updated information and DNS is fully propagated, you will need to remove any lines you added to the 'hosts' file.

NOTE: this ONLY works on the computer where you changed the 'hosts' file.

[chaloupe]

Good thing to know!

[taylord1]

Just remember to remove it once the DNS has propagated!

I've lost count of the number of clients who have forgotten to do this and ran in to troubles later when an IP address changed, when they moved hosting once again or even when a test site moved to a live server!

A PostIt Note on the monitor is a good thing!

~Dan

[hbird]

Since I'm on Linux as my main PC, I'd like to add this.


The syntax for the Linux host file is basically the same, so you would want to edit "/etc/hosts". I would use "sudo vim /etc/hosts", then add the line after the 127.0.1.1 line.

After editing the hosts, I think you need to restart the computer, but I didn't need to. Just check the site, if it doesn't work then restart.

[quietFinn]

Originally Posted by hbird

After editing the hosts, I think you need to restart the computer, but I didn't need to. Just check the site, if it doesn't work then restart.

No, you don't need to do that (Windows).

[Dimwhit]

I'll give the Mac OSX way. The file is edited the same way, I believe. To get to the file:

In the Finder, Go > Go to Folder
Type: /private/etc/

Find the hosts file and edit. (Wouldn't be a bad idea to back up the file first.)

The 'hosts' file is a system file that is read each time the system does any DNS queries. It will check 'hosts' first, if what it's looking for is found it will use it and will not attempt to check with DNS; if not found in the 'hosts' file it will then check DNS.

A reboot (for any OS) is not required. If you didn't see the change in your browser then, most likely, you did not close all browser windows after making the change. Just close all open browsers and try again.

[tucan]

Originally Posted by quietFinn

No, you don't need to do that (Windows).

A restart is not necessary but its the simplest step you can take.

Or

1. Close out all existing IE windows.
2. In the command prompt type, netstat

Adding a host file entry is very nice trick in development if the domain name has yet to propagate to the server holding your account.

[Break the Silence]

Originally Posted by GatorJesse

The 'hosts' file is a system file that is read each time the system does any DNS queries. It will check 'hosts' first, if what it's looking for is found it will use it and will not attempt to check with DNS; if not found in the 'hosts' file it will then check DNS.

A lot of people use this same technique for ad blocking as well...

Simply edit the host file with the name of the offending server, add a non-existent ip and presto chango - no more annoying ads.

[gwyneth]

Originally Posted by Break the Silence

A lot of people use this same technique for ad blocking as well...

Simply edit the host file with the name of the offending server, add a non-existent ip and presto chango - no more annoying ads.

This isn't so necessary with Firefox and its ad blocker extensions, but a very good way to do it if you insist on running IE when connected.

Several Windows utility sites have "pre-stocked" hosts files, with known nuisances already provided. I believe this site has one, with more detailed instructions for implementing it:

AXCEL216 / MDGx MAX Speed WinDOwS Tricks + Secrets

[gtgeorge]

Originally Posted by Break the Silence

A lot of people use this same technique for ad blocking as well...

Simply edit the host file with the name of the offending server, add a non-existent ip and presto chango - no more annoying ads.

It also comes in handy for those pesky email trackers that use a transparent gif etc.

[ghpk]

hi,
if iam not mistaken on Vista its at C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc

see ya,

[Break the Silence]

Originally Posted by gwyneth

This isn't so necessary with Firefox and its ad blocker extensions, but a very good way to do it if you insist on running IE when connected.

Exactly...

I still run both, although I only use IE on my old systems as required for certain educational app's. As for the Firefox extensions, they really are quite handy, especially Adblock Plus - which just so happens to be my personal favorite.

[ideashop]

One thing to note: if you're running Vista, editing the Hosts file is not as simple as in XP. Vista will tell you that you don't have permission to edit it.
Here's what to do:

1. Open Notepad with Administrative privileges by clicking Start, All Programs, Accessories, and then right-click Notepad and select to open as Administrator.
2. Now that Notepad is open with Administrative privileges, you'll need to open the hosts file from this instance of Notepad. Click "Ctrl-O" and browse to (C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc) in Notepad and open the hosts file.

Now you may edit and save the hosts file.