You don't have to delete the line, just put a "#" at the start of the line to comment it out. This is handy for testing or temporarily enabling access to that site. When done, remove the "#".
@Britec09Ай бұрын
That is correct
@CM_BurnsАй бұрын
Windows Defender identified the new host file as a medium threat 🤣🤣
@charliesretrocomputingАй бұрын
That's good, some malware changes the HOSTS file to redirect you to other sites or block certain sites. You want it to notify you of changes to the hosts file. If you made the changes, just add the folder that the hosts file is stored in to "exclusions" in Defender.
@CM_BurnsАй бұрын
@@charliesretrocomputing good to know 👍👍
@charliesretrocomputingАй бұрын
@@CM_Burns but yeah that happened to me as well lol You can also just say "allow on device" if you don't want to add to exclusions
@dingokidneysАй бұрын
I prefer to use Pi Hole which covers my whole network from one centrally administered location. Once set up, you have a nice web interface to monitor and manage it.
@user.A9Ай бұрын
How to import the list to pihole?
@dingokidneysАй бұрын
@@user.A9 Import the list through the Pi Hole web interface. Select Adlists from the menu on the side and you're there. The default blocklist is very good though and I've not needed another.
@Ahmed-HussainАй бұрын
Pi hole requires Static IP address which everyone can't afford and most of all Internet operators don't Provide Static IP
@dingokidneysАй бұрын
@@Ahmed-Hussain The Pi-hole is internal to your home network so doesn't need an IP provided by your ISP. I just set up an IP reservation in my router so that whenever the PI-hole fires up it is allocated the same local IP address in the 192.168.x.x range, Then you just tell your router to give out that IP address to DHCP clients as the DNS resolver. I don't have a static IP address from my ISP, in fact it changes every day, but my Pi-hole works fine.
@BaelzWhaelzАй бұрын
Need tutorial!
@neonblowfishАй бұрын
this is literally a decades old solution. I'm really surprised MS hasn't dump the hosts file by now.
@awex7Ай бұрын
MS doesnt update old stuff they dump new stuff ontop. they still have setting menus from before the 2000s
@RPSchonherrАй бұрын
It's still used by business IT managers to block NSFW sites
@herbetoneАй бұрын
Shhhh walls have ears 😂
@RaineWilder28 күн бұрын
Devs use the hosts file for local development
@donaldlemoine3032Ай бұрын
I was never much on linux. Dabbling with it from time to time. Now, I am learning as much as I can so I can confidently switch away from windows and not have to worry about being spied on. One day at a time. So thank you Britec for all your hard work.
@CesareVesdaniАй бұрын
Can CoPilot and AI be uninstalled from Windows 11 completely?
@workhard2170Ай бұрын
Some adresses are hardcoded and skip hosts so it's waste of time. Better make a video about simplewall which is able to block windows components to access internet
@abc_cbaАй бұрын
can you suggest how that simplewall should be used ?
@jr34743 күн бұрын
Simple wall is very useful...you will see that recent updates for windows unleash an unknown unnamed file that bypasses simple wall configuration by itself... and one can not do anything about it
@motoryzenАй бұрын
Look britech in any other PC tech involving youtuber, I respect what you try to do and this includes Chris Titus Tech also, but in the end there's no way you can stop Microsoft from disrespecting your Fourth Amendment rights including privacy if you boot any computer into windows and it is connected online the internet for any reasonable amount of time even if it's one day a year let alone every day You can do all the registry edits you want you can throw all the third-party software tools you want at it but in the end and inevitable Windows update will undo any good you do at some point in time be it next week or next month or even later that year. Why? That is simple. It is because no one but Microsoft operating system software development employees has access to editing the windows core AKA kernel in which where the Windows update and Telemetry engines live There's only one guaranteed way that I can think of offhand to stop Microsoft from spying on you and that involves a two-part deal. One don't use any of their software. Two switch to Linux. Facts don't care about anyone's feelings on this
@DragonKingGaavАй бұрын
I love how the title says 1 minute but the video is actually almost 9 minutes! That's false advertising. I want a refund!
@Britec09Ай бұрын
It would take one minute without video, even 20 seconds with script
@rajesh.xАй бұрын
Refund.. 😂 u clown 🤡
@Uns_Maps_8Ай бұрын
MS just sent the first employee to post negative comments
@ZendukaiАй бұрын
🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣
@pmshah1946Ай бұрын
Of course it took 9 minutes to explain. Takes less tan a minute to do. But then there are many viewers here at same intellectual level as .....
@US_JoeАй бұрын
Great stuff mate - I learned something new. Thank you 👍👍👍👍👍
@Britec09Ай бұрын
Glad to hear it!
@ComeonmenID10TАй бұрын
how does it influence the Windows Updates ?
@junker15Ай бұрын
I won't trust MS to ship a TCP/IP stack that honors even the MS equivalent of /etc/hosts anymore. (They took BSD's TCP/IP stack and ported to Windows in the WFW days; this is why they have a "hosts" file to begin with) Since it's in "as good as it gets" territory, I make sure all my internal hosts use the DNS I hand out to them (enforced by firewall rules at the border), and my DNS goes through NextDNS, which has its own block list. Doesn't catch very much of the telemetry by default, alas, but it works well enough. I really need to weigh the benefits and the costs of using my time to play a cat-and-mouse game, which is unfortunate.
@ampeg187Ай бұрын
But sometimes those domains will simply bypass the host file. It is better to block this via 3rd party Firewall or on a hardware level(rutar, or your own DNS).
@Britec09Ай бұрын
You can also use firewall. Not 100% as I said.
@agukonradАй бұрын
I dont think messing with DNS will help either. I tried Pihole on my LG tv for example and it did not block youtube ads.
@cplcabsАй бұрын
@@agukonrad thats because youtube uses the same servers to put its ads on....use ghostery to block them
@calikokat100Ай бұрын
tahk you for your videos...they are informative...well edited, concise and I have learned alot from them...
@BrokenKanuckАй бұрын
Strongly recommend Pi-hole, and a separate DNS provider with built in blocking.
@shabbadahutt358Ай бұрын
how do you solve windows defender/ anti virus flagging the host file changes as a malware attack host?
@Britec09Ай бұрын
Add an exclusion to Windows Security
@shabbadahutt358Ай бұрын
@@Britec09 Cheers for feedback but i read somewhere allowing this exclusion may open systems to attacks
@quantumharvestllc2082Ай бұрын
I can do it in one sentence: Switch to Linux. Not one of my servers was affected by the Crowdstrike disaster.
@vasudevmenon2496Ай бұрын
I think it's legacy and causes more issues than actually fix. I added rules as firewall and few months later i couldn't connect to download updated Software files using batch scripts from MDL. What i will suggest is to make use of next dns which updates its filters and block telemetry from Apple, Samsung, Android phone vendors, Microsoft etc
@SuperLittleTykeАй бұрын
This is one of the most useful videos you have produced recently. I was going to ask whether this applied to windows 10 as well as 11, but this was answered towards the end of the video. I had no idea just how intrusive Microsoft is until now.
@rogerbowen5753Ай бұрын
Cheers Brian! Another top video! Cutting through the snake oil and flim-flam and giving us what we really need. Thanks again!
@Britec09Ай бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it!
@KelticLadАй бұрын
Nice one thanks for sharing
@Britec09Ай бұрын
Thanks for watching
@Chris558576Ай бұрын
Thanks for this, recently i have started adding domain names to the web filter in my router so the effect is global across my network.
@Britec09Ай бұрын
That will work
@qt31415Ай бұрын
a day before this was posted and everybody BSOD'ed hahaha. this is a nice concise tutorial. thanks mate.
@user-od4gs3iu4tАй бұрын
that's certainly a good way that works, but this and even more can be done with a help of a good firewall having a filter. Just put a check box and a community-driven list will be auto updated
@Britec09Ай бұрын
Firewall is another way to add extra privacy
@pietermeijer5358Ай бұрын
Sir, FYI, thank you for this info video. I modified the hosts file on a windows 10 pc using your instructions, after a reboot I find that Bitdefender Internet security has "cleaned"the hosts file. This problem did not happend on a windows 11 pc. A setting in bitdefender solved this issue.
@lee99bayАй бұрын
You can use peerblock with Microsoft ips lista to block it.
@user-yc1yi8qd4jАй бұрын
Microsoft would be better if Bill Gates was in charge again. It was never perfect, but Microsoft has gotten so much worse since Bill Gates has no longer been the CEO, whatever you think of him
@donnievitelloni3806Ай бұрын
Don’t need to drag the host file to desktop, just open notepad as admin and you can edit host file in its current directory
@DevilbyMoonlightАй бұрын
I never liked the idea of using a quad zero address to 'blackhole route' a packet as a quad zero address (0.0.0.0) is the gateway of last resort in the networking world... typing route print in windows will give you the idea.. am old and stubborn in my habits, even though 0.0.0.0 is also used as a meta address like a wildcard such as an invalid target, blackhole routing this way makes it easy for them to change something in the future to push all those addresses out through your default gateway.
@robcarley7506Ай бұрын
Been using this for a while, may have to update the list though. Would be nice if their was a bullet roof way to stop it entirely.
@Britec09Ай бұрын
Use batch file to update, quicker
@ralphtaylor5328Ай бұрын
If you paste the whole file that contains to IP list you can document what revision the list used was. Header section is commented out so not a problem to hosts
@CorteumАй бұрын
This method to stop micros spying is useless. Especially if it's the only thing you do. Moreover, microsoft address and domains are constantly changing.
@Britec09Ай бұрын
No perfect like I said, its for people who want to try and block access
@CorteumАй бұрын
@@Britec09 If they want to just' try and block access' this way, it means that they dont have an good understanding of the nature of the issue and what an effective solution looks like.
@cplcabsАй бұрын
ok, let us see your perfect solution then.
@CorteumАй бұрын
@@cplcabs It's not _my_ perfect solution. It's solutions that others have already established and described in detail. Nothign new. You just didnt look properly.
@cplcabsАй бұрын
@@Corteum I don't think you understand what this video is about. It is not suggesting this is the be all and end all solution, it is one of many solutions out there. If you wish to make videos about how to do such things, then you are more than free to do so. I don't really need to look properly as I already know how to do such things. I just don't go around and critisize other people whilst offering no alternative solution such as you have done.
@user-pw8qj2gt1pАй бұрын
Britec09: "Stop Microsoft Windows Spying in 1 Minute!" Video: "Hello, I'm almost 9 minutes long.😁"
@cplcabsАй бұрын
wow, are you really thaat low in intelligence?
@charleswoodruff9013Ай бұрын
Used to do this to prevent Adobe apps from phoning home before they went to the subscription model.
@themzmodelexperience1666Ай бұрын
@Britec is this extra step still necessary to prevent Microsoft from collecting your data even if you did not check those check box when initially setting up Windows?
@drumpf4allАй бұрын
Brian, if it only takes a minute, why is your video almost 9 mins. 😉😜
@Britec09Ай бұрын
😂 I can do it instant with powershell script
@ridethefogАй бұрын
@@Britec09 can you share the powershell script?
@cplcabsАй бұрын
it is amazing how many dense people there are in the word and that you are one of them
@carlosanvitoАй бұрын
Why doesn't someone make an executable that automatically updates the host file on a regular basis, rather than needing to manually update the file? Seems simple enough and a trivial programming exercise.
@milinddevalАй бұрын
After implementing it, I noticed a few MS app icons/ tiles are not showing up in Windows app store's installed app list. Please check at your end and confirm.
@norman7527Ай бұрын
Hi Brian, I use Portmaster with IP Filter . Your thoughts? I'm done with MS once Windows 10, no longer gets security updates
@JohnDoe-wl8zkАй бұрын
Install Windows 10 LTSC Iot and get updates until 2032.
@Britec09Ай бұрын
Portmaster is OK mate, uses firewall settings to block Microsoft. Try not to worry to much about it all.
@prodigys9823Ай бұрын
Portmaster is wonderful but requires a lot of adjustments to allowed connections and some to the global settings
@user-od4gs3iu4tАй бұрын
Prodigy, what do you mean by "a lot"? comparing to what? my opinion Safing PM doesn't take a lot of your attention. Easy configuration, on-demand response, convenient silent mode, pretty lightweight, has a lot of additional utilities. I use it both on my Windows and Linux platforms, both work great
@norman7527Ай бұрын
@@user-od4gs3iu4t Totally agree, just set it to my needs and do a backup of my configuration if ever I need to reinstall OS
@MrRiggyGАй бұрын
Don't agree with the description used here 'blocked'. hosts files just take precedence over a dns lookup - not the same as ''blocking' - but a sort of similar end result - just a minor point for accuracy.
@charliesretrocomputingАй бұрын
correct, they "block" sites by just redirecting them to another IP (usually localhost/127.0.0.1), almost acting as a local DNS server.
@hellrazor2050Ай бұрын
cant be arsed to keep trying to dodge ms spyware it will be a never ending circle,Update it will all be back again .So i went for the 10 minute solution and installed Linux
@VaracolacidVesciАй бұрын
I do have a 100% guarantee method that will stop telemetry on ANY WINDOWS/APPLE system. UNPLUG THE INTERNET.
@fearsmasher1299Ай бұрын
I thought for sure this was going to be a Linux installation.
@bradl7439Ай бұрын
Click the Start menu, click the power icon, and then select Shut down.
@statesman6379Ай бұрын
Wouldn't this affect the Microsoft Rewards program?
@SeanBothaАй бұрын
Use own dns it is better. E. G combine pihole and bind 9.
@dennisvaughn540Ай бұрын
Thanks Again!
@Britec09Ай бұрын
Thank you too!
@test3tw44Ай бұрын
Thank you for your willingness to provide a compilation of information and how to use, as walking, we are a step forward, hard work, thank you! Thanks be to God! ( DeepL translation ) 謝謝您願意提供彙整資訊及使用方法,如同走路,我們又向前進一步,辛苦了,感恩!感謝上帝!( DeepL翻譯 )
@Britec09Ай бұрын
Glad I could help
@slacker1Ай бұрын
After I did this... I pressed Ctrl/Alt/Delete... In the Menu... "Do dishes" was added... I so love Windows 11 Enterprise 23H2... I am sure that 24H2 will add laundry, also... 25H2 will add utilities... 26H2 will add rent... 27H2 will remove nosey little sister... 28H2 Makes life perfect forever... Bedside alarm goes off.
@bajenegerАй бұрын
Isn't it just and copy your entire list from github directly into the hosts folder at once without copying the hosts folder as you showed
@Maverick1948Ай бұрын
I tested host files with cmd and said General Failure. Packet 4, Receive 0, Lost 4. Using VPN. Am I safe?
@yogibarista2818Ай бұрын
Seriously... a picture of Bill Gates?
@SuperKanuuna4 күн бұрын
Can I do this for WIN10?
@infinity2z3r07Ай бұрын
my w10 did not like this. win defender blocked my network connection until I quarantined or cleaned two items in the area we modified, so i got cold feet and undid the entire operation
@aseroxdАй бұрын
Not really worried if they collect my pitiful data. What can they do with it anyway?
@JohnDoe-wl8zkАй бұрын
Make the most profit possible with it.
@Britec09Ай бұрын
You can't avoid it really, someone will get your data
@Specialist1AimАй бұрын
I think it's good if they spy a little so they know if a third party is interfering with their networks/systems
@user-od4gs3iu4tАй бұрын
"what can the do with it anyway" indeed what could go wrong? you never know. May be you learn it one day muhaha
@nikng355Ай бұрын
Great.. ❤
@Britec09Ай бұрын
You're welcome
@dwightsmith5174Ай бұрын
Yes but is there a way to stop telemetry processes that hog resources?
@DoctorDetroit10018 күн бұрын
I had to disable Webroot service because it was using the host file. Then I could edit the host file and then turn on webroot service (WRSVC) again. When Webroot starts up it take a long time (about 8 Minutes) to start. Computer is slow booting up because of webroot loading. After that computer runs fine. Annoying. Any thoughts.
@laurentitolledo1838Ай бұрын
this one I like.... added the list to my DNS block list.... just in case....
@joelav7222Ай бұрын
Must be Brit time 😊
@floreamihaicristi2713Ай бұрын
How to block all truckers and data harvesters ? SIMPLE : Use other operation sistems : Linux , Ubuntu , etc and web browsers like Brave and Tor , add blockers , and dont allow updates just do it manual from safe official sources .
@ravenv5Ай бұрын
Having something like pihole or adguard home would do better.
@stevecatoАй бұрын
Wouldn't it be better to block these at your router? Microsoft won't be able to work around that. You also need to block any numeric IPs.
@propacollector3499Ай бұрын
can you do a bit on new malwayebtes has vpn and and brower gard and the rest
@franklidgadАй бұрын
If you listen closely Brian sounds almost like a younger version of the Oscar winning actor Michael Caine. If you don't know who he is check out the movie "Secondhand Lions".
@daviddunmore8415Ай бұрын
Just don't have anything to do with Microsoft - Apple is Unix at heart, or just install Linux. Mint is a great place to start.
@kaseyboles30Ай бұрын
Has this been checked? nothing to keep MS from hardcoding ip4/ip6 addresses as fallbacks and even to ignore host file entries that reference their special domains. It's fairly obvious on both fronts IMHO. So and external, non ms, monitoring of outgoing traffic is needed to verify those special domains are not being accessed. Using windows own tools to check is just begging to be fooled. Using ping within the command prompt is likely a waste of time.
@K1LLERPАй бұрын
Couldn't a firewall block all telemetry??
@MortalisPTАй бұрын
Doesn't microsoft skip the hosts file?
@DollyPocketАй бұрын
Can’t these be blocked at the firewall. Is it not possible just to block everything unless it is approved by default? . The default position seems to be its leaky unless you block it and you can’t keep updating based on someone’s best guess on what’s on a list.
@artistunknown9079Ай бұрын
Thank You
@onknightАй бұрын
Can't you just use pi hole instead
@Britec09Ай бұрын
Many ways to do things
@ShadowzGSDАй бұрын
bummer, i only found 1 linux comment to troll 🤣
@Britec09Ай бұрын
They still have one foot in windows
@SeminarChauffeurАй бұрын
I did this a few days ago, windows defender nuked it either today or yesterday. :( But I still have O&O Shut Up 10++ so I guess I'm still fine.
@mahatmacoat7215Ай бұрын
Little Snitch for Windows........still unfortunately not yet.
@ucrohenryАй бұрын
You can just install an AI locally and use it to monitor the Microsoft telemetry, and block it. Much the way an anti virus program works. Your local AI should easily be able to keep your system clean, and you have regained control of your computer. There are plenty of videos describing the process of getting an AI up and running locally, and it will be your AI, not Microsoft´s AI
@K1LLERPАй бұрын
Will this affect gaming on xbox live??
@timstevens3361Ай бұрын
thx Britec
@larsvaahlmar1784Ай бұрын
I've had windows just ignore the host file. It's true it was a few years back.
@a.j.haverkamp4023Ай бұрын
It’s kind of hilarious that simple home users really seem to thinking there is a Microsoft employee dedicated to them, watching every key click they make. Don’t worry, nobody cares about what you do.
@videodude8137Ай бұрын
What chew guys today. Huh. What does that mean?
@AlekseyPokotilovАй бұрын
Thx man!
@varietyrange4166Ай бұрын
Hey Britec09, any solution on CrowdStrike? This is why I don't upgrade to Windows 11.
@ghost762Ай бұрын
Could I add these domains and IPS to Pi hole?
@Six4691Ай бұрын
Any difference between the UK & US host lists
@debeerizАй бұрын
l only use the host file to block ads, and to stop my cracked software from calling home, never though to block microsoft
@Taffy84Ай бұрын
Hosts file has readonly attribute, you didn't tell people to turn that off and back on after editing it.
@cplcabsАй бұрын
why not follow the instructions in the video rather than try to edit the file in its location?
@Taffy84Ай бұрын
@@cplcabs You still have to set it to read only after editing it.
@trilobitemmmxxx8019Ай бұрын
First thing to do is disable Crowdstrike.
@davesradiorepairs6344Ай бұрын
I know... Stop using Windows...! There are a lot of Linux alternatives out there, and they're free...
@louey2xАй бұрын
how to do this for updates
@JohnnyKongestАй бұрын
doesnt work w me, all mircosoft come as before
@alf8718Ай бұрын
This is not the way to "Stop Microsoft Windows Spying" unfortunately. The only way to stop them from spying You is to stop using MS Windows altogether! Or live with the thought that they know everything about You. Another thing about privacy: Whatever online services are used by somebody (email, "Cloud" FTP etc) Companies like Google, MS etc. know about it and store all this data and if You suddenly become a POI (person of interest), governments and unfortunately some other powerful organizations too have access to all this stored data about a POI.
@antoineralic0113 күн бұрын
hey um whats the Github link you've used
@ChrisGR93_TxSАй бұрын
my custom iso doesn't have any telemetry 😂 tried all the domain names and it doesn't find any hosts
@YaseinAbdiАй бұрын
but this solution expires in 7 days . that means it only works for one week
@Britec09Ай бұрын
Use script to update, takes less than a minute
@YaseinAbdiАй бұрын
@@Britec09 but you have to keep track of it an remember it I'm not taking about the steps here. but other than this inconvenience its a good method
@zamadahmadАй бұрын
Thanks
@mtnbkr2k5919 күн бұрын
Is it possible to send middle finger emoji's?
@Douglas_Blake_579Ай бұрын
Messing with the host file does not prevent Windows from spying ... it simply stops it from contacting Microsoft. The CPU time and energy is the same. All you're dong is blocking the transmissions. There are half a dozen Services that, if shut down, will totally silence the system and free up a lot of resources inside the computer. Just set their status to "Disabled"...
@johngoard8272Ай бұрын
Nice one Brian but a tad compicated for this old bloke and frankly knowing what Microsoft is like thye will soon slipm in more to et what they want so sorry I am not going to bother.
@ennay76Ай бұрын
Very nice but the Github address is unreadable, so....... so much for that.