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Windows 10 is commenting out my hosts file entries. This happens periodically so every 1 hour.

Although I manage to save the changes but they will be commented out after around 1 hour.

I never experienced such thing on any Windows version before so maybe there is something I need to do in Windows 10 to prevent this from happening.

I have Bitdefender Total Security 2016 installed.

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2 Answers 2

Reset to default
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Sul,

Cause: Bitdefender Total Security 2016 is causing this problem

Fix: Right click on hosts file, properties, security, give only read access to "ALL APPLICATION PACKAGES" user/group.

Reference: http://www.bitdefender.com/security/hosts-file-hijacking-becomes-impossible-in-windows-8.html

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  • "ALL APPLICATION PACKAGES" has read and read & execute permission. I am unable to change them as they are grayed out. I can deny read & execute but this in turn will deny ready
    – Sul Aga
    Dec 26, 2015 at 23:21
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    Sul, On the top right, hit Human icon, hit "General Settings", then "Advanced", takeoff selected flag on "Scan host files"
    – Ravi Kumar Lachubukta
    Mar 27, 2016 at 2:20
  • This one is no longer effective.
    – Harlin
    Nov 13, 2020 at 1:59
  • This will block Bitdefender from commenting out intentional entries. But will this block unintentional entries? Is this a bit like solving a jammed door, by not closing it?
    – Vbakke
    Aug 31, 2021 at 7:42
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To prevent the hosts entries from being commented out by Bitdefender 2016 do the following:

In the main Bitdefender interface click on the human icon (from the upper right corner) and choose General Settings > Advanced tab > "Scan hosts file" button.

Screenshot of this option

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    Could you possibly include a screenshot of this option?
    – Burgi
    May 8, 2016 at 13:51
  • True, but it leaves your hosts file vulnerable. So be cautions about this workaround. (Webroot solves this by locking the hosts file. You have to unlock it before every change you need to make. Cumbersome, but more secure.)
    – Vbakke
    Aug 31, 2021 at 7:32

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