Hosts file changes

[Bill]

After making changes to my hosts file, can I make changes take effect
immediately without a reboot? (XP Pro) If so, how?

Is there any wildcard or other way to specify, for example, all possible
domains on a domain name? ie let's say xyz.net hosts a.xyz.net, b.xyz.net,
c.xyz.net, 123.abc.xyz.net, etc. I am asking for blocking purposes, not
access purposes - there are sites I want completely blocked from DNS
resolution.

Thanks in advance.

 

[wayne]

this site has good info as well as a host file to download that blocks most
stuff you don't want. One thing though if you try to use the back button on
your web browser it will not work since it tries to go to Doubleclick or
something else like that the down arrow to pick where to go does work fine.

http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

Wayne

 

[Torgeir Bakken \(MVP\)]

After making changes to my hosts file, can I make changes take
effect immediately without a reboot? (XP Pro) If so, how?

Hi

For Win2k, WinXP and Win2k3, a change to the hosts file takes
effect immediately by itself, you don't need to do anything.