Stop Windows Spying with hosts file

Windows 11 has a lot of telemetry and spying and connects to 3rd party data collection sites, in this video we will stop windows spying by adding a few entries to the hosts file and as a bonus get a fully blank clean browser tab! Replace iCloud/OneDrive with encrypted cloud storage with Internxt (sponsor): internxt.com/l...
Tools to stop Windows spying: • Stop Windows Spying
Windows 11 vs XP, has windows become spyware? • Has Windows become Spy...
Domains added to hosts file in this video:
127.0.0.1 localhost
::1 localhost
127.0.0.1 data.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 msftconnecttest.com
127.0.0.1 azureedge.net
127.0.0.1 activity.windows.com
127.0.0.1 bingapis.com
127.0.0.1 msedge.net
127.0.0.1 assets.msn.com
127.0.0.1 scorecardresearch.com
127.0.0.1 edge.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 data.msn.com
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[@peterwassmuth4014]

Thank You so much for being out there and teaching the average PC users to protect themselves! You are amazing!!

[@macethorns1168]

This channel is clown world and they're giving you snake oil.

[@embreis2257]

does it only apply to people who use _Edge_ as a browser? I haven't done this host.file thingy and my browsers don't annoy with with these 'notifications' or clutter

[@Krazy0]

Just a quick reminder for anybody who notices addresses other than the default in hosts file, you might find some addresses of Adobe or some other companies, where most cracked software rely on the same way to block companies from blocking you from accessing their software.

[@OnlyKaerius]

My host file is fairly gigantic, but it's not cracked software adding to it, it's spybot search&destroy, immunizing me from a bunch of known malicious addresses.

[@Krazy0]

@@OnlyKaerius That's actually a nice way to prevent some malicious addresses, but how would it prevent new or other malicious addresses that can simply change its address, got any ideas?

[@OnlyKaerius]

@@Krazy0Not really, you can't pre-emptively exclude bad sites before they exist, you'd basically have to disable the internet, or go to a whitelist-only solution, which would be very restrictive. So just complement with antivirus.

[@Krazy0]

@@OnlyKaerius I remember there was a site that discloses the latest reported harmful sites, we might be able to have a simple script that scraps all the reported sites and then put it into that file, which in theory could make it work better, but I actually think having a local VPN-like program that blocks access to sites included in that list would be much better in terms of usability, I wouldn't want to have to scrap that site when I can simply have a script that prevents access to them in the first place rather than some file that I've to follow its protocol to setup the sites.

[@losing_interest_in_everything]

So, according to your comment, if I block a specific host for Adobe (for example), should I be able to block license verifications and use any software without paying them? That sounds too easy XD. However, in 2017 and before, we only needed to change a few characters of the trial license key in a local file to use their programs for free. So, I don't know; this looks like a big mistake from Adobe ^^'

[@m12652]

This is good but manually keeping the hosts file up to date is tricky. If you really want to block efficiently get a Raspberry Pie and install pie-hole. You can download lists of millions of domains that track or for some reason you might want to block. Out of the box, this blocked about 25% of my network traffic. The really annoying thing for me is that if that 25% is typical then roughly 25% of the worlds cost for internet traffic is being wasted on marketing and tracking that most of us don't need or want. That's our money they're spending and there's no law to regulate it...

[@missivyplatinum]

I hadn't looked at it that way but I couldn't agree more.

[@RezaQin]

Ah yes, get th government involved. Nothing bad will happen after that!

[@missivyplatinum]

@@RezaQin lmaooo you heard about the FCC supposedly getting involved in regulating ISPs right 😭

[@solitarelee6200]

Sometimes I go down a doom hole about how much completely needless trash like that is contributing to global warming and the depletion of finite materials and I have to go stare at a wall for a few hours. 8|

[@m12652]

@@RezaQin lol when I talk about law I don't mean government. In the UK at least, law is a victim of government.

[@RadioactiveBlueberry]

I highly appreciate that the list is right at the beginning of the video AND in the description, instead of scrubbing around to find such list.

[@macethorns1168]

That was nice, yes, but it doesn't change that this "list" is useless as tits on a nun.

[@AGuywhohasGoodTaste]

Brought back so many memories with that notepad intro. You should do a video entirely like that for April Fools, it would be quite funny.

[@THW69]

But in 360p, 4/3 and windows xp

[@timetraveler0002]

notepad tutorials are among the top quality content tutorials

[@elias9725]

You gotta also have Unregistered HyperCam 2

[@SMGJohn]

Do not forget classic Windows Movie Maker blue background with comic sans font.

[@ZergRadio]

How to I get rid of that damn Telemetry crap.

[@mhoop1]

i think they know about this. I did it and for about 10 seconds it worked, then the background image loaded, then one by one the settings menu on the top right populated, then the stories and advertisements filled in. It was kind of cool to watch.

[@ManiacalV]

This is very well done, especially for people who aren't terribly computer savvy. Great job, thank you for making this, it's the kind of tutorial I will be sharing a lot in the future.

[@macethorns1168]

Very well done for a "fix" that doesn't do jack shit.

[@Desmond-Dark]

@@macethorns1168 It doesn't work for you?

[@forgottenprophet0]

They must have updated things. It no longer works.

[@SweatySeoul]

It still works. Make sure that file isn't a txt file. If you want to go over it again here's how. 1. Save the text that is in this video's description 2. SEARCH notepad in the windows search bar so you can right-click and run as administrator. 3. Go to file, then open, then search file name "hosts" and be sure to change the file type to "all files" so you can find it. 4. Open the hosts file 5. Copy and paste the text as he does in the video 6. Open Microsoft edge to check results If the webpage is not showing up blank, you need to go into the settings of edge by clicking the three horizontal dots in the top right. Then go to settings, privacy search and services, clear browsing data from all time ONLY IF you don't use Edge as the browser to access websites you have profiles saved in. If you do, you will be signed out of them on Edge and have to sign in again. If you are struggling to find it because of a different layout you have applied, use this link in your URL bar. ---> edge://settings/clearBrowserData

[@ReverseShell1337]

It worked for me. This also a GitHub page that has much more hostnames you can copy/paste in to block msft

[@miketout]

Thank you! This is a great hack to get rid of much of the garbage and tracking that have gotten me to mostly replace Windows with Linux for good after being the Kernel Dev lead on Windows 95 and leading other work at Microsoft so many years ago. I still have a couple Windows machines running, and this has worked great! Liked AND subscribed.

[@lazygardens]

You can use /etc/hosts for much the same purpose.

[@lazygardens]

@@lindenreaper8683 That might be better ... I remembered that /etc/hosts can't take wildcards.

[@lazygardens]

@@lindenreaper8683 I bailed from Windows for personal use after Win95, although I have a virtual machine for the tiny bit of software that I couldn't get Linux to run.

[@atlantic_love]

I call BS.

[@lazygardens]

@@atlantic_love What is "BS"? Using the hosts file? Switching to Linux?

[@test-rj2vl]

Best part is that if your hosts file gets too good then windows defender thinks it's a virus and then you need to add exception. Also don't remember to make a backup because it has happened to me that windows update thought it knew better than me what should be in hosts file.

[@MoiraWillenov]

Or just turn off windows defender.

[@coreyperez13]

FINALLY!! Something on YT worth watching! Follow up. I just tried this and Notepad (as admin) will not save this file as a 'file', it will only save it as a .txt

[@teutonicc]

after saving with the .txt go to rename and just remove .txt. will give warning but click ok

[@brianburke3665]

Great! Thanks.

[@Tesko249clips]

I recently stumbled upon the Windows "news feed" when I accidentally hit Win + W. The amount and type of preloaded content in there is horrendous! But this trick took care of that too. No more BS content that I didn't ask for. Thanks!

[@lkzMini]

I really likes Edge (as web browser), but i really hates all this telemetry from Microsoft. So... Im glad u sharing all this. Thanks!

[@Kaliyaz_GT]

Yeah bunch of bullsh ads

[@meninoesperto2773]

Why you like that shit?

[@frskngd]

single handily one of the best video you probably ever posted on this channel, hopefully microsoft wont hide that folder or block access to it in a future update

[@schnuus2006]

They haven't the last 25 years. If they might bypass hosts of their choice in future, they will completely give up trust of their Enterprise customers.

[@macethorns1168]

Single handedly one of the most useless and worthless videos on KZbin you mean.

[@phaikyouser9499]

The thing is you never know what's going on under the hood, Windows could be collecting data over say 4 weeks, and every month sends a compressed encrypted file with all the info while it's doing an "update." You'd never know the difference.

[@youropiniondoesnotmatter]

Thank you very much for this!! I literally just finished a DNS section of a Udemy lecture that focused on the hosts file. The KZbin algorithm blessed me with this video. Subbed, much appreciated!

[@mystixa]

This is just bandaid advice. Yes it covers top level stuff like your browser, which is a good thing. Claiming it stops windows telemetry is overstating its use. You can block the IPs at the router level, just blocking the domain resolution on the computer is not enough. Also since windows 10, Defender has some addresses that it will block being saved into the hosts file, and some Defender updates that will just revert the file.

[@pdmerritt]

this is very true but sometimes there are whole blocks of ip's that those names resolve to so i guess this is better than nothing.

[@macethorns1168]

There exists no way to stop Windows telemetry unless you have W10 Enterprise, and even that's doubtful.

[@mystixa]

Well thats just incorrect. Most of it can be stopped within windows itself. Then with a combination of internal and external firewalls all the rest can be taken care of as well. @@macethorns1168

[@railworksamerica]

There’s probably something in regedit to fix that

[@negativez5298]

absolutely rare rewind on the advertisement. well done internxt and TPCSC

[@jcdenton7914]

You can probably make a script to run a hash of the hosts file upon reboot to alert you the moment it's been modified by some Windows update.

[@Chuck8541]

I wish I could sync my pihole adblocker list to this host file. It would relieve some of the burden of the tiny pihole. I could then toggle domains on and off for troubleshooting and testing.

[@SpaceCadet4Jesus]

Waste of time. The host file hasn't changed since Windows 95, decades ago.

[@MrSurfsAlot]

Already knew right where this file was but did not think of this. Brilliant

[@robertoswalt319]

I used this tactic to keep my children away from certain sites back in the day. It can work really well.

[@YoloTub3]

Meanwhile I used proxy sites to bypass this tactic when I was a child. It works really well.

[@redi6460]

As a child I never had access to computers, didn't go very well.

[@rct999]

Really? Do browsers even use the host file?

[@kirilbarbov6949]

@@rct999 Yes, they do. I use it on a daily basis for testing client websites at my work. Everything on your entire system that connects to the internet will use the settings you have configured in your hosts file.

[@rusername]

@@rct999 yes? a lot of viruses use host file to block some websites

[@jsoares91]

The only point i miss on these tutorials is that the machine still using compute resources to try this requests even if its going to timeout on loopback. Its really anoying especially if you have a computer with limited resources.

[@thedavistheory7674]

Agreed

[@marpintado]

This could be better: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_hole_(networking)

[@cldream]

That unfortunately is going to happen. If it's program to upload data to third-parties, it will, unless you have the source code to remove the functionality.

[@DontUseALLCAPSInTheD.mnTitle]

Maybe use something like Windows 10 LTSC 2019 on a computer with "limited resources".

[@macethorns1168]

It's fascinating to me that you know words like 'timeout" and "loopback" and believe that it's possible to work around M$ calling home with a dozen hosts file entries.

[@arrongamez1388]

If it wasn't for Windows being the best os for gaming, I would switch to Linux in a heartbeat.

[@xXVibrantSnowXx]

I wouldn't

[@abidkhairy..3863]

I'm dual booting windows rn, with mac tho...

[@gawlhysm]

Same here

[@shroomer3867]

It remains the best because certain companies are just plain lazy or specifically unsupportive of Linux. I’ve made the jump back when there wasn’t even BattleEye support for Linux and everything on my steam library was playable and at same or better performance than Windows. The only game not being able to run on it is currently Valorant because of its kernel level anti-cheat. But otherwise, almost all high-fidelity games are able to be played right and at even a better performance than on Windows due to less bloat on the CPU during gaming.

[@arrongamez1388]

@@shroomer3867 Linux is better performance wise, but not when it comes to gaming.

[@DR_1_1]

It should be mandatory for all OS and softtware to keep an updated list of ALL the servers they connect to, with a destcription of which exact data is collected and transfered, its exact use and the people who have access to it. This the same way we are forced to present an ID to have a personal data/internet connection, to give an email address and even name, telephone number for many registrations online! And also options to disable the transfer of data when not necessary! *All that in a user friendly option menu, not like these cookies popup windows that block the access to most websites today* !!!

[@krzychaczu]

For sure it's all covered somewhere in hundreds of pages of Terms of Service which nobody reads and just hits "accept".

[@acehandler1530]

Compiling a mass of data like you suggest would cost some bucks - and you can be sure that the money-grubbers won't pay it. Do you want to pay to use the Internets (more than you do already)? Because that's what would happen - and once you subscribe...you're tracked! Lololol! Pay to have your personal info used, what a brilliant plan 😞

[@douggale5962]

That would work in the days when there was competition. Price fixing is rampant, and big software companies are destroying all of the small software companies, so they can gain a monopoly.

[@GabrielPradiipaka]

We need someone updating the list of websites to block with the hosts file. Charge some money, please. We need to get rid of MS malware on our computers.

[@fearfactory1189]

I'm alright with that hosts thing, but at least you're making us aware so we're appreciative. Keep up the good uploads! :)

[@bigtvjunky9119]

You can turn off new tab 'content' in Edge settings. It's under settings 'Start, home, and new tabs' and 'New tab page' then customize your new tab page layout and content. Content > off.

[@jairo8746]

That doesn't prevent M$ from sending your data to third parties.

[@309electronics5]

​​@@jairo8746but is there really a browser that does not do that these days? Many chromium browsers send data to third parties and advertisers

[@SandBoxJohn]

The host file is a legacy feature of TCP IP that was used to translate host name to IP address before the existence of DNS. I use the loop back address in a host file as an add blocker.

[@DigitalCaveDweller]

@pcsecuritychannel This video needs an update. The Hosts file solution provided no longer works.

[@deepspeed7862]

Yep, ms updated the hosts file and it has some extra lines now that are not shown in this video. Doesn't seem to work anymore ☹

[@cindyzxec]

Cool Thanks for the addresses! You even had them in text in your description, making it easier to cut and paste! I actually did this for ads too. So most ads just come broken when I go to the web if not I try look at the source code and find their site and add it.

[@Scriptッ]

daamn. this showed up on homepage and started playing, i saw the notepad intro and got in for nostalgia, stayed for information

[@sticky170]

Great addition for more privacy. I also use Spybot Anti-Beacon that has some different features.

[@AriinPHD]

somehow it put a lump in my throat to see you record this on what looks like your actual work/home machine 😨 granted you are only editing the hosts file for this video, it feels strange to see a personal environment used for demonstration purposes. loving your video content and excited for both more of them and the malx project!

[@RonSonntag]

Nicely done! Thanks. I also use Pi Hole to block a huge number of add sites for my entire house (running on Raspberry Pi).

[@warp00009]

Thanks for this info! I found a thousand or so dead DNS entries put in my hosts file by a freeware spy blocking program too. I hope this won't impact the performance of my local web server running on port 80!

[@kumariashamaki4151]

What always bugged me about some notepad tutorials is when it was a dude who had a mic and you can hear him typing xD like bro you are making this so much harder on yourself xD

[@janbielecki9245]

Probably bad pronunciation

[@kumariashamaki4151]

@@janbielecki9245 yeah thats my best guess.

[@NeptuneSega]

I wpuld suggest to use a firewall solution or give pihole/adguard home a try. Windows bypasses this and modifies the host back

[@adviththegreat5610]

The notepad tutorial part was really funny but honestly, with nostalgia of notepad tutorials and my most favourite cybersecurity channel, I won't complain if you shift to making notepad tutorials.

[@RicardoPetrazzi]

I'd be keen to see something similar for a Google Chrome browser on Windows...what can be 'blocked' without impacting functionality too much etc.

[@Officialtechfixed4u]

Im an 'industrial' style IT pro of nearly 40 years... and I'd never even considered doing this. Its, absolutely correct, and works instantly... HOWEVER, while I was doing it, I had some other processes running heavily in the backround..... historically referenced as 'hashing' ... anyhoo.... at the very second the new hosts file was saved, I had my other eye on the bit-rate (downstream) of my 'other processes' ... and as I hit enter, bit-rate literally doubled. Odd, but I'm not complaining.

[@sebsoud]

well, I just tried and it doesn't work with Edge, even after clearing the cache 😣

[@FAT_BAT_ty]

I'm pretty sure MS checks all these channels and make all the adjustments to avoid we outsmart them.

[@riptoff433]

An oldie but a goodie. Can be used to block ads an much more. Thanks for reviving this old true and tested method.

[@Master__of_Orion]

Yeah, looks pretty good. Although a little bit of adblocking and tracker stopping is of course to do in every browser. And installing Pi Hole, but that's a different story.

[@mauriciolee7349]

Thank The PC Security Channel for this SIMPLE and YET effective solution.

[@maxwellsmart3156]

Lifetime plans are great until they change their TOS or go out of business. Also paying upfront is usually a big no-no. Worth a look at the least, though.

[@pcsecuritychannel]

They have monthly and annual plans too. I just mentioned the lifetime plan cause its the first time I've seen that as an option.

[@ashkenaze]

microsoft: nope. we're not using obsolete host file anymore, the addresses are now hard written and will be auto updated when they're changed.

[@sniperoth]

Set up a pi-hole and your whole network is protected, even untouched Windows

[@AndrewBiddleUK]

This comment also needs more visibility - Pi-hole rocks.

[@cattameme]

Nevermind, got it to work. Had to clear cache AND COOKIES from ALL TIME.

[@cattameme]

thank you

[@IDJENAwoqqqxdre]

Dude hell yes I’ve been watching weird network activity from these domains and then I see this video. Thanks a lot !

[@xXVibrantSnowXx]

I'm honestly fine with that Host file thing, i don't even know if i will have a further issues if i mess with the file, so i think i will rather just keep it as is Thanks for the video though

[@notme9801]

What would be interesting to try is setting up a local server and tracking all of the requests which would have gone to those sites

[@emberframe6994]

That would be very interesting.

[@Sypaka]

XAMPP does the trick and if you enabled error logging... yeah its gets crowded there.

[@macethorns1168]

Simple: get Wireshark and monitor network traffic. You'll *very* quickly realize just how fucking useless and stupid the "advice" in this video really is.

[@albeal9213]

I Have been trying to figure this out.....and "Ya, You Got Me!" I was going through "everything" and it was this symple ROLF! My biggest problem was I was overthinking it not realizing that MS couldn't be that stupid but it wasn't them it was me all along! ROLF I wish I could compensate you but....man this was worth 100's of dollars! Thank YOU! I knew this, was a systems anylist that had to edit Individuals work computers "Hosts" file often. Wow! Banging my head on the wall right now. avb

[@SYLXM]

That intro was hilarious. You should have kept the note pad gag running for longer. xD

[@rjjeffreys]

For decades, I have been a Microsoft MVP (Most Valued Professional), as well as a Lead Systems Engineer and SI (Systems Integrator). It disheartens me when I see so many alleged ‘tech’ channels here post erroneous information that actually causes Windows end-users to completely corrupt their OS, to the point where it will not even boot into Windows again for them. But, I have found every one of your videos to be clear, concise and correct. Well done, and keep up the great work, my friend!

[@RadioactiveBlueberry]

Why would editing hosts file prevent booting an operating system? It's just a list of IP addresses for Internet domain names.

[@ggiuliano93]

Host file = pc bricked = OMEGALUL

[@rjjeffreys]

@@RadioactiveBlueberry I was referring to bad Windows advice, in general, given by some alleged tech channels on YT. They frustrate me when they share some ‘tech tip’ they saw somewhere, and without researching/testing its validity and worth, just repeat it in their own videos here as an OK thing for end-users to implement/change in Windows’ settings.

[@rjjeffreys]

@@ggiuliano93 You have way too much free time on your idle hands. Get a job/hobby.

[@Sypaka]

@@rjjeffreys I have actually seen pretty dumb advices, which are still shared around on the net to this day. Like enabling the "hidden" Admin- Account, which is disabled for a reason.

[@simplestuff3895]

Great video. Do you have any advice on removing Cortana and disabling the creepy Viva Insights emails?

[@controli5123]

if you are doing this just because of edge new page, you can disable the notifications on the personalize tab and the rest on settings > Content.

[@kartik_exe_]

that intro got me hard i first thought that this video is maybe years ago but the time you said i am kidding i was like "RICKROLLED"

[@Zigbii0]

Found your channel and really like your content. With this slight tweaks in the hosts file would this affect also the "news and interest" widget integrated in the windows taskbar?

[@nadtz]

The notepad intro made me laugh. Rather than do this with host files I do this with pi-hole so I don't have to manually change all the machines on my network and can block other telemetry but the idea is the same.

[@Hughesmedia1]

You asked: "Why would you use Bing"? I would also ask "Why in the world would you use EDGE?"

[@fattymcboomboom9254]

You should know some Microsofts own dlls has the ability to ignore the hosts file. You could also try peerblock to block.

[@HackerBusting]

can also upper decker your PC case

[@TheGoodestBrandon]

Yep. Saving your channel. Great stuff, dude. Thanks for all the help!

[@RickJohnson]

In Edge's new tab page, you can also switch the start page settings "Content" to "Content Off" and achieve most of this as well.

[@kloassie]

*in Win11* 1. Notepad as administrator, select all files, open hosts, save as with 'all files' selected and no .txt in the file name ... _"The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process"_ 2. Explorer as administrator, copy alternative hosts file from somewhere else to overwrite original hosts file ... _"The action can't be completed because the folder or file is open in another program"_ (while I stopped all open programs) 3. Explorer as administrator, rename original hosts file in order to rename alternative hosts.txt to hosts without .txt ... _"The action can't be completed because the file is open in System"_ 4. CMD as administrator, copy alternative hosts file from somewhere else to overwrite original hosts file ... _"The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process"_ 5. CMD as administrator, rename original hosts file in order to rename alternative hosts.txt to hosts without .txt ... _"The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process"_ 😢 *Edit* 6. msconfig, boot in minimal safe mode, throw away hosts and rename alternative hosts.txt to hosts without .txt ... No errors :) 😊

[@macgyver5108]

Copy the Hosts file to your desktop, edit in notepad, drag back into the ETC folder and overwrite the existing host file. 🍺

[@yerunski]

An alternative in case you didn't open Notepad as administrator, just save the file to your Desktop and copy it from there to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc. It will give an UAC prompt instead. Just confirm and it will copy it too. Also check and make sure Windows didn't secretly add '.txt' to the file in which case you have a different host file that doesn't work.

[@Juliodax]

I do that before. Thank you

[@macethorns1168]

Windows doesn't secretly add "txt" to the filename, Notepad automatically adds ".txt" to whatever filename you specify because it assumes you're writing a text file. Get around this by putting quotes around the exact filename you want: "hosts"

[@yerunski]

You are right. I wish the 'hide file extensions' options was turned off by default @@macethorns1168

[@HoshangGovil]

Hey, thank you very much... And I am going to spread this with all of my friends and PC users. ❤❤❤❤

[@DavidM2002]

If I add these URL's to the filter in my router, presumably that would accomplish the same thing. I'm able to set the filter to cover just a single machine, many machines, or the entire network. But, I'm always afraid that I will break something especially when it looks like filtering some of these URL's might be overly broad.

[@NoClipMode]

I wouldn't use a router, it can massively slow down your internet speed because it constantly has to check the filter whenever you visit a website and some routers are very slow at this. Just use the hosts file, it's simple, it works, and people have been doing this for decades.

[@DavidM2002]

@@NoClipMode Good tip. Thank you.

[@johnsmith1953x]

@@NoClipModeWow. Are routers still that inefficient?!?

[@jcdenton7914]

The router will work as long as you don't run over a VPN

[@RadioactiveBlueberry]

@@johnsmith1953x My exact thoughts, it's just a short lowercase string comparison. I'm sure such list needs to be very long to have any measurable slowdowns.

[@JC-gu5cf]

Next security update would probably clear the hosts file 👀

[@losing_interest_in_everything]

To effectively prevent Windows from spying on us, transitioning to Linux is the optimal choice :D

[@cldream]

Even on Linux I'd still suggest having the hosts file entries as a just-in-case.

[@unguidedone]

there is another way to do this but its basically the same but a little bit more control. you can set ufw policies or iptables and intercept network connections from virtual machines or route data though another computer on a network to drop packets by redirecting it to a address like local host.

[@khalilsworld8266]

wouldn’t it be more effective if you block these IP addresses at the network? It would actually apply to all your devices and it can’t be modified by some Windows update

[@SpaceCadet4Jesus]

If you were to block all the IP addresses, your list would be huge. Microsoft and advertisement companies use a large revolving list of IP addresses that are difficult to find. A host file wasn't meant for this purpose. A host file is meant to translate names to local IP addresses within your network. You're much better off using Ublock Origin as an browser extension.

[@escapetherace1943]

@@SpaceCadet4Jesus a lot of these connections are happening through windows itself, even if you have no internet launched my man

[@SpaceCadet4Jesus]

@@escapetherace1943 Of course. I was speaking on the *prevent* ads front.

[@CaptainAnkara]

Microsoft: Nobody's gonna know The PC Security Channel: They're gonna know

[@mukkah]

Very helpful, quick and easy pro-tip for blocking some MS data scrapping network bandwidth. Lovely presentation, too bro

[@G6JPG]

Not just MS.

[@macethorns1168]

You misspelled unhelpful.

[@mukkah]

No I did not, because I didn't use said word. Clearly.@@macethorns1168

[@snivesz32]

Spreading this information will only prompt Microsoft to build a backdoor around the hosts file to then take the ability to do this away from us. See, that’s how this works, something is good, people find out it’s good, everyone exploits this good thing, then the good thing gets removed.

[@VITAS874]

Then not talk about it.

[@naekosl3059]

I use the free tool SPYBOT to automatically edit and update the Hosts file. Spybot has the feature "Immunize" and picking that will set the Hosts file. Spybot also watches that file when it runs.

[@Playingwith3D]

the old school tricks still works. I'm amazed they didn't plug that up.

[@Verklunkenzwiebel]

I think it would help if you would emphasize that if you have multiple PC's you have to modify the hosts file on every one of them. And this is why DNS came to be. Sysadmins had a day job modifying and updating all hosts under their control. DNS took care of that. However it is still baked into every operating system that the hosts file is consulted first before going to a DNS for name resolution

[@xxXXuser69420XXxx]

I would assume even the most illiterate people wouldn't assume this will fix a random device other than the pc in which it was performed

[@DoM1B21]

That intro caught me off guard ngl 💀

[@edison3571]

Things like this are why I had to leave Windows O.S. When you realize that you are constantly fighting for control of your own computer from Microsoft resistance is futile, just leave.

[@TiagoBigodeTI]

Muito bom, obrigado por compartilhar.

[@qnprogrammer]

Thanks! I put these entries on my Mac too since I use Edge for MacOS once in a while.

[@SirThanksalott]

LOL, this video is like if someone moves a Stop sign to the other side of a 2 way road with only 1 Stop sign. Absolutely memetic. Touche! "The" PC Security Channel. LMAO

[@zedth2]

I tried this about a year ago on Windows 10 with quite a large hosts file. There's a threshold where Windows starts losing its mind and the DNS service just eats all the CPU. It's a pretty small bar to I think it's only like 15 or 25 entries.

[@jonb3311]

I have 50k in my hosts without any issues with Windows running

[@Sunrise-d819i2]

instruction not clear enough, installed Linux to removed all the spyware. (this was the meme, yes the instructions is very clear and helpful)

[@xaytana]

Now if only there was a good way to permanently get rid of Edge. I can understand it being pre-installed, but Edge trying to force itself to be your main browser constantly, Edge constantly updating itself in the background (which it has the most bloated update process I've witnessed for any Chromium browser), etc., really reminds me of that other time Microsoft was sued for anticompetitive practices. I hate the damn thing, it's the worst distro of Chromium I've come across. I've also tried every method I can come across to get rid of it, but it keeps finding its way back, short of upgrading to Pro to get access to group policiy stuff, but is the GPedit method even viable considering nothing else has been?

[@trueriver1950]

The way is to use Linux. If you give M$ the right to run your operating system they will always abuse that. Their track record goes back to the nineties and they're not going to change.

[@BanriFerdinand]

no es muy difícil te tomará 7 minutos

[@-The-Golden-God-]

​@@trueriver1950I'm yet to find anyone using Linux to run popular games and programs anywhere near comparable to running them on Windows.

[@any_one_else]

@@-The-Golden-God- agree if it comes to programming or some type of professional work yes but for modern gaming or some popular softwares most of them will always work much better in windows than linux

[@cmerton]

that isn't germane to the topic here, which is: "Now if only there was a good way to permanently get rid of Edge."@@any_one_else

[@ottoperu1300]

Great, thank you. It worked well for a time. A windows update and now it has failed. Any comments or updates would be greatly appreciated.

[@eveningstarnm3107]

This method is known to not work. Most of Windows' telemetry bypasses the HOSTS file with hard-coded IP addresses. You have to block it from the firewall, but you still won't stop all of it unless you switch to Linux. Ignore this channel. They're giving bad information.

[@MrCamel-mb3nd]

ok, which Linux you would use? Suse?

[@_d0ser]

Wasn't aware MS used hosts for this. I do this all the time in my linux boxes.

[@jackflash6377]

Brought back memories from the 90's when I was in college learning about DNS and name resolution. There is a setting that will determine the lookup sequence. Just can't remember it.

[@TechnoFreak-IN]

doesnt work anymore!

[@iridium137]

Why not?

[@twobrotherskayaking4736]

Just did this technique and it worked 100%. So, thank you for what was rapidly becoming a most annoying and miserable way to start my pc sessions when I need to search for a thing. I have the default browser (the Windows one, IE or EDGE, whatever?) set up to open to my YT page so no problem there. It's just then when I want to look up something and keep it separate from the tab I'm using, I open another tab. Then comes the onslaught of leftist, liberal, anti-conservative, anti-our real President, Donald Trump, and constant adverts that I'd rather not be subjected to. Nothing personal, I just detest the way these so-called 'NEWS' channels try to control the public with 'editorializing' rather than 'reporting' the news. As if we're too stupid to think for ourselves. I also can't stand this immature, "I don't like Trump" childish attitude they project and try and promote. Wow, you just made my pc sessions so much more tolerable. Thanks and good day

[@TheForce_Productions]

The full list it's on github and there's easily 100 IPs to add to the hosts file.

[@TheForce_Productions]

@enigma220 Google is your friend,.

[@NicuStoica2008]

definetly switching to linux in the near future. sick and tired of M$ bull**** great video!

[@redkurn]

been there, done that. windows virtio used to work for gaming, but... apparently it no longer works for games with anti-cheat. 🤔🤷‍♂

[@lazerusmfh]

Windows 11 ghost Superlite SE is where it’s at, and the tarpit rules in the firewall 😊

[@sodone466]

Very well done, thank you. You now have another subscriber.

[@yorkshireplumbing]

There's now a handy dandy host file editor tool in the Power Toys app.

[@thehumanexperience454]

PSA in 2024, this will cause windows file explorer to constantly cash every time it attempts to ping Microsoft. I found this out the hard way. It is still usable, just really annoying as every 15-20 minutes it locks up and restarts itself. I've had it with this shit and I'm now making the switch to Linux. Luckily, gaming is pretty much seamless there now. Edit - Its worth mentioning I'm using Windows 10

[@tcctech3211]

great video appreciate the effort, another nice thing you can do in edge is install a custom URL addon that lets you change New Tab to anything you want, although as soon as you install it, Edge will Lie to you and disable it for SAFETY reasons, you just have to go into your manage extensions and turn it back on, then click new tab and set it to what you want. Hope this helps someone.

[@Lupinicus1664]

Thank you, very useful. Please keep making such helpful videos,

[@roy2689]

Done it on Windows 10 and it works... Thanks for the info👍