Optimize Windows Hosts File

[riso]

There may be multitude of reasons as to why optimize WinHosts file, the reasons being it can be used for blocking specific websites, increase load up time of frequently visited WebPages and so on. HostsOptimizer is small utility designed for optimizing the content of WinHosts file, by eliminating the duplicate host names and comments. Adding more, you can also add up to 9 host names in a single line, pointing to the same IP address.


By default the hosts file resides in;

C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts

Which can be easily opened by Windows default text editor Notepad.

To start out with it, launch the app. First we would recommend you to create a backup of the Winhosts file, by enabling Create backup option. Enable Incude Localhost option and select the number of line against a Host name. Click Optimize Hosts to start optimization process. It will remove all the duplicate host names, and comments. Specified hosts names per line will be added too.

http://hostsman.it-mate.co.uk/HostsOptimizer_0.3.1.zip

[javajolt]

I have used this Host File since Windows 2000 days, it is updated on a regular basis, and you can sign up for update notification via email and a download link is always included.  Excellent way to keep the bad guys out.

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MVPS HOSTS now includes most major parasites, hijackers and unwanted Adware/Spyware programs!

What it does ...

The Hosts file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. This file is loaded into memory (cache) at startup, then Windows checks the Hosts file before it queries any DNS servers, which enables it to override addresses in the DNS. This prevents access to the listed sites by redirecting any connection attempts back to the local (your) machine. Another feature of the HOSTS file is its ability to block other applications from connecting to the Internet, providing the entry exists.

You can use a HOSTS file to block ads, banners, 3rd party Cookies, 3rd party page counters, web bugs, and even most hijackers. This is accomplished by blocking the connection(s) that supplies these little gems.

To view the HOSTS file in plain text form. (593 kb) (opens in browser ► http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.txt)
Note: The text version also makes a terrific reference for determining possible unwanted connections
Download: hosts.zip [right-click - Select: Save Target As] [Updated May-04-2010]
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

Important! Windows Vista requires special instructions see here ► http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hostsvista.htm

Important! Windows 7 requires special instructions see here ► http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hostswin7.htm