I just installed Windows 7 Ultimate on 2 PC's. The HOSTS file does not work on one of the PC's. Both PC's are EXACTLY the same except for one of them is joined to our SBS2008 Domain. On the PC joined to the domain the HOSTS file does not work. It's as if the HOSTS file is ignored. I checked the database path in the registry and it is correct. Does anyone know if maybe this is some kind of policy with SBS2008? Is there a way around it? I really need to have the HOSTS file processed. Thanks.

Hi MarkLang61, Before moving on, could you please let me know if all application ignore Host file or spcific program ignore Host file. Thanks.

All aplication ignore HOSTS file including a simple Ping command.

Hi MarkLan61, Based on my research, a TCP/IP corrupt component may cuase the issue. I suggest you refer to the following Microsoft KB to reset TCP/IP to test the issue. How to reset Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)In additon, you can try to uninstall and reinstall network driver to test the issue. Hope it helps.

I have puzzled with the hosts file under Win7 for a while, too. Tried most things advised in the forum but to no avail. What happened was the following: As I couldn't edit the hosts file due to some Windows restrictions (I was logged in as Administrator but apparently that wasn't enough). So I created a new hosts file on my desktop and copied that one over the existing hosts file. Then I was able to edit the file, but it didn't have any effect anymore. Setting wider permissions ('everyone - full control') solved it. However, that is probably not the safest setting. Maybe someone here in the forum can tell us which permissions exactly need to be set for the hosts file to function? Until then, 'everyone - full control' at least makes it work. Good luck!

Hi Andor, When you don't have the fully open security, I suspect that you are falling prey to the virtualstore. Have a look in %UserProfile%\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\Windows\System32\drivers\etc and see if you can see the modified file that you are creating. It sometimes saves away a private copy if you don't have privileges to update the system file (sadly someone smarter may be able to explain when and why). I'd imagine that the network processes aren't running in user spae and hence don't see that copy of the file. Hope that helps, Rob