12

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.

Improve this question
11

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

Improve this answer
  • "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 '15 at 23:21
  • 5
    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 '16 at 2:20
  • This one is no longer effective. – Harlin Nov 13 '20 at 1:59
33

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

Improve this answer
  • 1
    Could you possibly include a screenshot of this option? – Burgi May 8 '16 at 13:51

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.