Multiple accounts and the host file on WinXP?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jackson
  • Start date Start date
J

Jackson

Do all the accounts on a computer (or a local group setup)
use the same host file, or does each account have its own?

If each has its own host file, how do I make all the
accounts use a master host file?

I mainly want to insure that the guest account has to go
through the host file to get online.

Thanks
Jack from Taxacola (formerly Pensacola), FL
 
The Hosts file on my computer is in the folder:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc

Does that answer your questions?

....Alan
--
Alan Edwards, MS MVP Windows - Internet Explorer
http://dts-l.com/index.htm



Do all the accounts on a computer (or a local group setup)
use the same host file, or does each account have its own?
Click to expand...
(snip)
 
Jackson said:
Do all the accounts on a computer (or a local group setup)
use the same host file, or does each account have its own?

If each has its own host file, how do I make all the
accounts use a master host file?

I mainly want to insure that the guest account has to go
through the host file to get online.

Thanks
Jack from Taxacola (formerly Pensacola), FL
Click to expand...

There is only one HOSTS file and all accounts use it.

Be sure not to mess with the name: It must be plural, all caps and not
have any extension to be used. And change to the name and it will not
be used.

For XP it's located at: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\HOSTS
Yes "etc" IS a folder<g>. Also, etc is the ONLY folder HOSTS can
reside in. Don't move it or rename it in any way. Rename backups as
usual, of course.

Twayne`
 
There is only one HOSTS file and all accounts use it.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the input. I don't have to worry about guest
accounts then.

I assume that a laptop connecting wirelessly through my
router would use its own HOSTS file because it can go online
even if my main desktop computer is turned off.

I assume (but I'm less confident of this) that a second
computer connected to my router by ethernet cable would also
use its own HOSTS file. This doesn't really concern me tho.
Thanks again

Jack from Taxacola (formerly Pensacola), FL
 
Jackson said:
Thanks for the input. I don't have to worry about guest
accounts then.
True.


I assume that a laptop connecting wirelessly through my
router would use its own HOSTS file because it can go online
even if my main desktop computer is turned off.
Click to expand...

Right. It's not accessing the "main" computer in any way; it's only
using the router as a path to get to the internet.
I assume (but I'm less confident of this) that a second
computer connected to my router by ethernet cable would also
use its own HOSTS file. This doesn't really concern me tho.
Click to expand...

Right again. One machine has no interest in another machine's HOSTS
file.
Thanks again

Jack from Taxacola (formerly Pensacola), FL
Click to expand...

You are correct in your assumptions. A system's own HOSTS file is the
only one that's going to be referenced by that system. Used
judiciously, it's a very handy tool for being sure certain domains are
never allowed to transmit anything to your computer.

HTH,

Twayne`
 
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