On Windows 11, you have multiple ways to block time-consuming or distracting websites. For example, using Google Chrome, you can install extensions to block websites. You can also use third-party software or make rules in the firewall to prevent specific sites from opening on your device.

While we have different methods to block websites, the most popular and the best option is editing the Hosts file. However, the problem with restricting websites via the Hosts file is that the file is hidden deep under the system installation folder, and editing it requires administrator access.

Why to Edit the Hosts file?

Editing the Hosts file requires a lot of manual work, but the benefit is that no one without access to hosts file can turn off the blocking.

So, if your PC is also used by other members, it’s best to edit the hosts files instead of relying on software of browser extensions to block websites.

How to Find the Hosts File in Windows 11

The host file in Windows 11 resides deep in the System 32 folder. Finding host files in Windows 11 could be complicated, but you can make things easy by knowing the exact path.

1. Open the File Explorer on your PC and double-click on your system installation drive.

2. On the System installation drive (usually Local Disk (C:)), double click on the Windows.

3. On the Windows folder, find and double-click on the system32 folder.

4. On the system32 folder, find the drivers folder. If you can’t find the driver’s folder, utilize the search option to find it.

5. On the driver’s folder, double-click on the, etc folder.

6. On the etc folder, click the view button on the top bar and select Show > Hidden items. Now, you will find a file named Hosts.

How to Block Websites Using Hosts File?

If you want to block websites using the host file, you first need to log in to your administrator account on Windows 11. If you don’t want to use the administrator account, you can grant the administrator permission to your user account

Before editing the Hosts file, copy the original file to a safe location. Then, double-click on the Hosts file and select Notepad to open it.

If you want to block any website, ydd a line at the bottom of the host file. The line you need to add is:

0.0.0.0 facebook.com

The above line will block the Facebook website on your device. You can add as many websites to the host file as you want. The web address should appear after 0.0.0.0

Once you’ve done this, click the File button and select the Save option. This will block the website on your Windows 11 PC.

If you want to unblock the website, you need to delete the line you have addetoin the host file. Or else, you can add a # at the beginning of the line to convert the syntax into a comment.

This is how you can edit the host file in Windows 11 to block websites. Now, whenever you try to visit the site, you will see a screen like the one below.

That’s all about how to find and edit the hosts file in Windows 11. If anything goes wrong, you need to replace the edited hosts file with the original one you copied before. If you have any doubts, let us know in the comments below.