By default, if you try to modify your hosts file in Vista, it will not let you save it. Thanks to Vistas new UAC feature, it tells you that you don’t have permission. To successfully modify the hosts file you will need to run notepad.exe as Administrator and then open the file using notepad.

1. Browse to Start -> All Programs -> Accessories
2. Right click “Notepad” and select “Run as administrator”
3. Click “Continue” on the UAC prompt
4. Click File -> Open
5. Browse to “C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc”
6. Change the file filter drop down box from “Text Documents (*.txt)” to “All Files (*.*)”
7. Select “hosts” and click “Open”
8. Make the needed changes and close Notepad. Save when prompted.

Note: I have tried using other text editors to make my Host file edits but notepad.exe is the only one I have been successful with.