HostsCK 2.1.6.0 review by Simon Jay (Oct 3, 2018)
One of the last remaining programs to to look after the Windows Hosts and it does it well.
HostsCK 2.2.6.0
Color-coded Windows hosts file editorHostsCK is a Windows utility for viewing and editing the system hosts file, which controls how hostnames are resolved on the computer. Its color-coded editor helps users inspect entries, add domains to block or allow, and save changes. The program can open external blocklist sources such as mvps.org, supports backups, and can restore the default hosts file. Editing requires administrator rights and .NET Framework 4.
HostsCK 2.2.6.0 details
| Author: | rediSoft |
| License: | Freeware |
| Price: | FREE |
| Released: | Mar 11, 2019 |
| File size: | 1.19 MB |
| Downloads: | 633 |
| Keywords: | manage windows hosts file, edit Hosts, Hosts file, rediSoft, website blocking, HostsCK, user-friendly interface, free, edit hosts file, block websites with hosts file, restore default hosts file, hosts file editor, hosts file blocklist, x64 software, Windows Hosts, Windows 10 |
| Author URL: | http://redisoft.uk |
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HostsCK for Windows 10 - Full description
HostsCK is a small Windows utility for viewing and editing the system hosts file, which maps hostnames to IP addresses before a computer contacts a DNS server. It is intended for users who want to manage which domains resolve on their computer, such as blocking selected sites or restoring normal access without relying solely on browser extensions. Changes to the hosts file can affect requests made by browsers and other applications that use Windows name resolution.
The program presents hosts-file entries in a color-coded view, making the text easier to scan and distinguish. Font colors can be customized to suit different preferences. Users can edit entries and save changes to the system file, creating lists of sites to block or allow through the way their hostnames are resolved. This provides a direct, system-level approach to managing domain access rather than configuring a separate filter in each browser.
HostsCK also provides access to external sources, including mvps.org, for reference lists of domains. A user can consult one of these lists, update the local hosts file, and keep a backup before applying changes. Backups are useful when testing a blocklist or replacing existing entries, since the file can be restored if a change causes unwanted results. The utility includes an option to return the hosts file to its default settings, and its changes can be reversed when the filtering is no longer needed.
This approach can be useful for people who want blocked domains to apply across multiple browsers or to applications that make network requests in the background. It can also help users inspect the entries already present in the hosts file and manage them in one place. Unlike a browser add-on, hosts-file rules are not limited to activity inside one browser, though they do not provide the broader controls of a full network firewall or content-filtering suite.
HostsCK is freeware and is available in English, German, and Russian. It requires Microsoft .NET Framework 4 and administrator rights to modify the Windows hosts file. Because the file is a protected system resource, the program must be run with elevated permissions for editing and saving changes. A backup is prudent before updating or replacing entries, especially when using a large external list.
HostsCK for Windows 10 - Users' reviews