Where is the local location of the hosts file?

Where is the location of the local hosts file

For ordinary computer users, the hosts file may be an unfamiliar file, but it plays an important role in our daily network use. So, do you know where the local hosts file is?

First, let us understand what a hosts file is. The hosts file is a text file used to map domain names to the IP addresses associated with them. When we enter a URL in the browser, the system will first look for the hosts file. If the corresponding domain name and IP address mapping relationship is found in the hosts file, then the system will directly use the IP address in the hosts file to access, and Do not request the DNS server to resolve the domain name. This can speed up the loading speed of web pages and avoid the time delay of DNS resolution.

So, where is the local hosts file usually stored? The location may vary between operating systems.

For Windows operating systems, the hosts file is usually located in C:WindowsSystem32driversetchosts (note that C is the name of the system installation disk).

Open File Explorer, navigate to this path, and you will see the "hosts" file. By default, this file is hidden. You need to check "Hidden items" in the "View" option in File Explorer to show hidden files.

In addition, for Mac operating system, the hosts file is located in /private/etc/hosts.

In Mac system, you can use Finder to access this file. Also, this file is hidden by default. You can press the shortcut key Command Shift G to open the "Go to Folder" dialog box, and then enter the above path to access the hosts file.

Please note that modifying the hosts file may require administrator privileges, so you may need to open the file as an administrator and make modifications. You can open the file by right-clicking it and selecting "Run as administrator."

In addition, whether it is a Windows or Mac system, before modifying the hosts file, it is recommended that you back up an original hosts file to prevent network failure or inability to access certain websites due to modification errors.

To summarize, the location of the local hosts file is usually located in C:WindowsSystem32driversetchosts in Windows systems, and in /private/etc/hosts in Mac systems. No matter which operating system you use, it is recommended that you back up the original files before modifying the hosts file and modify it with administrator rights.

I hope this article will help you understand the location of the local hosts file!

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