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Modifying a HOSTS file in Windows

Sometimes it is necessary to resolve a human readable web address to a different IP. For instance, if you are moving your web site to a different hosting provider you may want to test the new site location before removing the old site location. This will keep the old site live while you test the new site. The following steps will guide you through making the neccessary changes.

Obtain the IP ADDRESS
Get the IP ADDRESS where you want the domain to resolve to. If this is for the purposes of testing an existing site at a new host, you can get that information from your new hosting provider.
Find the HOSTS File
Perform a search on your personal computer for HOSTS.
NOTE: Hosts is the name of the hosts file and not another directory name. It does not have an extension (extensions are the .exe, .txt, .doc, etc. endings to filenames).
Make a Backup
Before you make any changes to the file create a backup of the HOSTS file. Open the original and "Save As" something like HOSTS-ORIG. Close the backed up file. Do not put a file extension at the end of the file.
Open HOSTS File
Open the original HOSTS file in NOTEPAD
Insert Information
Insert the following lines below the lines that already exist in the file:
123.123.123.123 www.yourdomain.com
123.123.123.123 yourdomain.com
Replace the "123.123.123.123" with the IP you obtained from your ISP and replace the "www.yourdomain.com" with the domain name you are working with.
Save the file
Your web browser should now be directed to the new site location.
When you are finished
Once you are finished working on the new site remember to remove the lines you put in the HOSTS file otherwise you will not be able to get to the current live site.

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Modifying a HOSTS file in Windows