Windows activation hosts file

And hackers have definitely taken advantage of this in the past. What they would do is point a common website like google. This IP address could serve a site that looks just like Google's, but is actually trying to steal your sensitive information.

While this was a problem in the past, most security software like the Windows Security Suite can recognize and fix problems with the hosts file automatically.

That said, if you open up your hosts file and see a lot of strange entries, then you may want to revert to the default Windows hosts file. Just copy and paste the default hosts file from earlier in the article into your hosts file and save.

Note that some third-party security software uses the hosts file to block dangerous websites. If that's the case, no worries — your security software should add all those entries back to your hosts file. We'll go over how this works in the next section. Don't want friends or family to visit certain websites on your computer?

Or are you like me and get distracted by all the cat photos on the internet? Also, close the browser windows that are open and reopen them.

The one downside is that this only works on one device — you could just reach for your phone and browse Reddit on that instead. Still, it's a neat way to create some friction on your work computer. This leads nicely into the last trick, which is to use the hosts file to make your life a little bit easier.

If you spend a lot of time adjusting your router's settings, or you have a cool project running on a Raspberry Pi , you'll know that typing in a long IP address is a drag. Instead, you can use the hosts file to make connecting to other devices on your local network much faster.

For example, if your router is at Otherwise your browser might not recognize. Fortunately there are a whole lot of valid TLDs nowadays. Again, the one downside to this method is that it only works on once device. You'd have to update the hosts files on your other devices to enable the same shortcuts. And that should be just about everything you need to know about the hosts file on Windows And a lot of this knowledge should carry over to Linux and macOS.

Did you find this helpful? Are there any other hosts file tricks you know? Let me know over on Twitter. If you read this far, tweet to the author to show them you care.

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Though it is a minor annoyance at times, it appears even if you have activated windows properly. This annoyance usually gets in the way of whatever you are working with. Today you will learn how the activate Windows 10 Watermark can be removed Permanently! Below we have shared with you a handful of tips that will hopefully erase this forever from your desktop.

Windows 10 can be installed without any charge. By doing this, the operating system does not operate. It just reminds you that you are using a trial version and need to either download the full version of Windows 10 or purchase the key.

The trial only runs for days before the watermark will start appearing on your desktop. This is very important because you stop getting essential updates from Microsoft.

When you buy windows ten license from Microsoft or any other retailer, you likely receive a product key. When you purchase your PC ready built even then it comes along with a product key.

Anyone who upgrades to Windows 10 from a copy of Windows 7 or Windows 8. Copy the lines from above and paste it inside the file under the other similar lines 5. Click Save and Close notepad 6. This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each entry should be kept on an individual line. Windows Hosts file is a local file, i. Because it is a local file with certain changes like the ones shown below , you can easily override default DNS behaviour.

Note: For those who are using Linux, check out the guide here for using the Hosts file in Linux. Block Adobe Photoshop CC activation outbound link using windows host file or firewall is a common question for everyone. If you see two Adobe logos, you have access to the activation servers. Try activating your software. If you need help with activating your account, see Activation and deactivation troubleshooting.

Start a web browser and open one of the following links, depending on the version of your product:. If you see a test successful message see screenshots below , you have access to the activation servers.

Try activating or starting your software. This is still a confirmation that you can access the activation servers. If you need help with your activation code, see Redemption code help.