Here is a copy of the host file that I use. (Right click Save As) and then save it over your old host file (making sure it has no extension). The old host file can be found at:

Windows XP = c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc
Windows 2K = c:\winnt\system32\drivers\etc
Win 98/ME = c:\windows

This file tells your computer not to look up certain websites when you visit pages with their content. (For example a site that uses adversising from the DoubleClick advertising network would show it’s own content but not the ads if you had the line 127.0.0.1 ad.doubleclick.net in your hosts file.

The host file can also prevent tracking which sites you use. I can’t tell you what a big difference a good hosts file can make in your browsing experience. Find out more about host files.

Update: By default, if you try to modify your hosts file in Vista, it will not let you save it. It tells you that you don’t have permission. To successfully modify the hosts file, run notepad.exe as an administrator and open the file.

1. Browse to Start -> All Programs -> Accessories
2. Right click “Notepad” and select “Run as administrator”
3. Click “Continue” on the UAC prompt
4. Click File -> Open
5. Browse to “C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc”
6. Change the file filter drop down box from “Text Documents (*.txt)” to “All Files (*.*)”
7. Select “hosts” and click “Open”
8. Copy and paste the text from my hosts file into yours. Save and close Notepad.

Also note that I try and update my hosts files from time to time—so even though this post is old, the file may not be.