I'm trying to edit the hosts file on Windows Server 2008.
I right clicked on Notepad and Ran as Administrator, then opened the hosts file, but when I try to save it I get the following error message:
Cannot create the C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts file.
Make sure that the path and file name are correct.
Next I checked the permissions for Administrators on the hosts file. The following are checked as Allow:
- Full Control
- Modify
- Read & execute
- Read
- Write
When I edit the permissions, all the check boxes are gray and not editable.
Next I check the file Owner of the hosts file. The Current owner is SYSTEM. When I try to edit the Owner I get the following message.
You only have permission to view the current owner on hosts.
The Windows documentation states
Ownership can be taken by:
An administrator. By default, the Administrators group is given the Take ownership of files or other objects user right.
In the Local Security Policy under the User Rights Assignment section, Take ownership of files or other objects is set to Administrators.
Why wouldn't I be able to change ownership to edit the hosts file?
I have seen antivirus programs do something similar. The AV program can intercept even Administrator file access. Many malware programs modify
hoststo redirect certain sites without mucking around with DNS servers, so AV programs are hyper aware of that one file.Copy hosts file on the other location, for example on Desktop. Edit that file which is on the Desktop and then copy file back to the original location and overwrite the old one.
BR
User Account Control is on. Open notepad as an administrator (Right-click, Run as administrator) and then open the hosts file from there. It will let you save the file then.