SolidWorks Host File Block
Step 2: Open as Administrator
You cannot edit this file with standard user privileges.
- Right-click on Notepad or your text editor.
- Select "Run as administrator".
- Inside the editor, go to File > Open and paste the path above.
Part 1: What is the Windows Hosts File?
Before we discuss SolidWorks, we need to understand the battlefield: The Windows Hosts File.
The hosts file is a plain text file used by your operating system to map hostnames to IP addresses. It predates the Domain Name System (DNS). When you type www.google.com into your browser, your computer checks the hosts file first before asking the wider internet.
- Default Behavior:
127.0.0.1 localhost
- How it works: If you tell your PC that
www.google.com equals 127.0.0.1 (your own computer), your browser will never reach Google.
Location of the hosts file:
C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts
Best practices
- Do not alter the hosts file to bypass licensing or activation—this can violate the license agreement and break functionality.
- Keep a clean backup of the hosts file before making changes.
- Use authorized support channels for activation and licensing issues.
- Maintain endpoint protection and scan for malware if unexpected hosts modifications appear.
- Document any deliberate, authorized changes to the hosts file for IT/administration records.
