What is C:\\windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts?

Hosts File/Edit

The hosts file is a plain text file used to map host names to IP addresses. On Windows, it is located in the C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc folder. Note that the "Hosts" file is owned by the "System" account [NT AUTHORITY/SYSTEM] and may only be modified by an administrator.

What is the ETC Hosts File Used For?

The /etc/hosts file contains the Internet Protocol (IP) host names and addresses for the local host and other hosts in the Internet network. This file is used to resolve a name into an address (that is, to translate a host name into its Internet address).

What is Hosts File in Windows?

The hosts file is a Windows system file that can override DNS and redirect URLs or IP addresses to different locations. A typical home internet user will not have a modified hosts file.

Can I Delete Hosts File?

To delete Windows Hosts file entries select the whole line and press the delete button on the keyboard. You may also add # in front of any line to make it a comment so that it is not processed but preserved. To edit individual entries click in the line of the mapping that you want to edit and make the changes.

Why Would you Go into C <UNK> Windows System32 Drivers Etc?

So, in closing, the /etc/hosts (the location in Unix) being buried in windows\system32\drivers\etc is your daily reminder that Windows was not networked originally and the internet - a Unix thing - was “tacked on” to it by copying the Unix code for it. As a “driver”.