Windows 7 & Windows Vista Host File
Are you looking for the Windows Vista or Windows 7 Host File? Where is the host file located in Vista and Windows 7.
The host file contains the hostname and IP Address for that host. If you want to setup a website before hosting moves you can change the IP address of the site server in your host file and then you can work on the website before the DNS moves.
The “host” file is located at C:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\ or %systemroot%\system32\drivers\etc\ and cannot be edited by normal users.
To edit the host file,
Click Start – search for “Notepad“, right-click and select “Run as Administrator“. This should launch notepad with elevated privileges.