* To make this change, you might need to start Spybot by right-clicking on it, and selecting ‘Run as admin’.
Firewall - Main - Advanced Button - Advanced SettingsUncheck: "Lock Host File"
* You might also need to disable or configure ZoneAlarm’s OSFirewall.
* It is usually necessary to reboot after these modifications.
Aside from unlocking the Hosts file, you’ll also need to make sure changes to this file are not marked as malicious and then undone – by excluding the Hosts file location from scanning.
On Windows 8, open .
On Windows 7 and lower, open Windows Security Essentials.
Settings - Excluded files and locationsFile locations: (type in...)C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\;Click Add, and then Save changes
Settings - Threats & Exclusions - Exclusions - SettingsAdd - Select file or Folder:C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\
* This does not always work under Kaspersky… If the Hosts file is still locked or not editable, try turning off Kaspersky to see if it’s the source of the issue.
Application and Device ControlApplication ControlDe-select rule: 'Block modifications to hosts file'
* It might be necessary to reboot after these modifications.
3. Howto .
4. If you can’t seem to unlock and unblock the Windows Hosts file, or not able to modify or change the Windows Hosts file, you might need to start turning off the different security software and applications on your system to figure out which one is the culprit.