3

I want to modify a file in vista ( C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts ) but I can't write it to disk.

Similar thing happen with other files that are not under my user directory. C:\Users\me

I am in the administrator group.

What is needed to edit these files?

HopelessN00b
  • 53,795
  • 33
  • 135
  • 209
OscarRyz
  • 384
  • 1
  • 7
  • 15

1 Answers1

6

With UAC turned on, you're not running as an administrator normally. That's why you can't edit it. The simplest thing to do is to right-mouse click notepad and choose "run as administrator". You'll be prompted with a UAC prompt. You should then be able to edit and save the file.

Knox
  • 2,463
  • 2
  • 26
  • 34
  • Thanks Knox... I just had this scenario perplex me in Win7 when trying to change that file. I decided to let UAC do its job, and I am running as non-admin in Win7. It didn't occur to me. I would have expected a UAC prompt, but none came. Now I know; thanks. – p.campbell May 26 '09 at 13:45