Windows 7 Host File Not Working (Blocking Websites)

I noticed that my hosts file was not blocking sites like it's supposed to. Like any tech savy user, I googled this problem and tried out various proposed solutions.
Unfortunately nothing has worked.

Any website I have blocked with 127.0.0.1 <website here> has just not been blocked, I can access them fine.. Which is the problem.

I have zero clue as to why this problem is not going away. Any help is appreciated.

 

Offhand, there are a couple of things I can think of.

One: When you saved your hosts file, you saved it in a different format than what it originally was (it is supposed to be in a generic file, no extension at all). If your hosts file has a known extension attached to it, then it did not save properly in which case you need to get ahold of an unmodified version to work with again.

Two: Make sure your hosts entries are correctly formatted. They should look like 127.0.0.1 rhino.acme.com.

Other than that, it should work. If not, it can get complicated.

 

Read this site about hosts file blocking and it will tell you the right way to do it and where to save your edited hosts file

Blocking Unwanted Connections with a Hosts File

 

So I need a new host file that is not touched, add my sites and see if it works? And how do I know if im saving it wrong, sorry for the trouble but im not good with computers as most of you all are.

 

You may not need a new hosts file. If your current one's properties list the file type as "file" and not "text file" or "notepad file" then it was saved correctly. Also, you need to make certain the entries in your hosts file are exactly as I posted above. The IP address, one space, then the web URL with no http prefix.

 

hosts.txt - Speedy Share - upload your files here

There's the link, it is a txt file... but yeah there's the whole thing.

 

Thanks for posting the file - try eliminating the first line 127.0.0.1 https://www.google.com. Or use this format: 127.0.0.1 https.google.com
I just found this article which also may help explain why it you are having an issue. How to add entry in windows "host file" such that it can redirect over https - Stack Overflow

 

Umm, I didn't think the hosts file can redirect an https conversation. Wasn't that the whole point of SSL is so that you know your communicating with the site you want? Or is it now possible? (Yes, I read the article, but am still skeptical)

In any event, try changing the prefix to Google or plus.google.com or whatever the domain is for the site(s) you want to block. And make sure to save your hosts file in the blank file format and not the txt file. If you save it to a txt file, Windows will not recognize it as the hosts file.