The hosts file in Windows can be used to override DNS look-ups. I have described one practical use for webmasters who want to work on sites before DNS propagation. The hosts file is used by many for ad blocking, blocking of hosts that may be malicious or dangerous or speeding up connections to select sites by eliminating the need for DNS look-ups. I do not want to get into details on how to edit the hosts file, as I have done that already in another article: How To Edit, Reset The Windows Hosts File.
It is relatively uncomfortable to add, remove or edit large hosts file in a text editor. Software often offers better manageability and sometimes even additional features like flushing the DNS cache or optimizing the hosts file by removing duplicates.
All programs mentioned in this overview are freeware, most portable that require no installation.
Hosts Man
Hosts Manager has been around for a very long time. It is one of the most sophisticated, feature rich programs for hosts file editing. It’s feature set include everything one could be looking for, from downloading popular hosts lists from the Internet over hosts file optimization to remove duplicates to a hosts file editor and backup options.
It is possible to use multiple hosts file lists from the Internet and merge them into one big list sans the duplicates easily with Hosts Man.
- Homepage: http://www.abelhadigital.com/hostsman
Host Profiles
A new software program that adds the option to run multiple hosts file on a system. Users who work with Host Profiles can switch between different hosts files. This basically replaces the existing hosts file with another file. One possible option would be one hosts file for web development, and one for general Internet surfing, or browser specific hosts files.
The editing capabilities are limited to plain text editing. The program has controls to flush the DNS cache, and display the current hosts file.
- Homepage: http://hostprofiles.codeplex.com/
Advanced Hosts Editor
The program offers some of the best editing capabilities of all hosts file managers. Problem is that it is currently offered as a beta version which does not play well with large hosts files. Users will get an unresponsive window when they try to load the program for the first time.
Advanced Hosts Editor is well suited for users with a hosts file that has a few hundred entries. The software displays all hosts and websites that have recently established a connection with the computer, which makes it an effective tool for users who want to add servers to their hosts file while they are using the Internet.
The hosts file size limitation is the biggest drawback of the application.
- Homepage: http://ahe.devs-on.net/en/
HostsXpert
HostsXpert is a regularly updated hosts file manager that offers editing and handling of the file in Windows. It supports backup and restoration of the hosts file, and can download a popular list from MVPs and HP.
Editing is not as straightforward, everything is displayed in forms which means it takes longer to edit multiple entries than it would be in programs that display the entries in a text editor like interface.
Hosts Manager
Hosts Manager can be used to switch between multiple hosts files in Windows. The program is not an hosts file editor, which is probably the biggest weakness. It is also the only program that requires installation and the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5.
Closing Words
Did we miss a hosts file software? Let us know in the comments.
Related Articles:
Windows Hosts File OptimizerSwap Hosts Files Easily With Hosts Manager
How To Edit, Reset The Windows Hosts File
Upload Files To Multiple File Hosts
Gazup Multiple File Hosts Uploader
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I find AdMuncher to be more updated and reliable than Hosts file.
Great article I’ve used Hosts man along side ad blocks plus for a long time now and rarely see any ads. oh and TRY AdMuncher is commercial so not really relevant in the comments of an article about freeware programs.
IMHO, the Treewalk DNS server + Confetch combination is still the best.
Treewalk: http://ntcanuck.com/ Confetch: http://confetch.com/
Neither has been updated in years, but no point in fixing what isn’t broke though it slightly complicates the installation of Treewalk on Vista and Windows 7 (incl. x64): http://confetch.com/vista/ultravista.htm