How to Block Website in Windows?

How to Block Websites in Windows?

Sometimes you think about and wish that you could stop some particular websites (block website) from opening on your computer.

Even though it does not sound good to keep asking repeatedly not to use such websites, to your children, friends and family members is not a good solution.

Nowadays kids are quite busy accessing social sites over the internet instead of doing their school work, etc. You probably do not want your friends and family members to access a few particular websites on your computer network.

Therefore, you look for a way wherein you can block a website or a number of websites without knowing them.

Hence, I am going to explain to you the steps wherein you can easily stop desired websites from opening on your computer.

Windows has a feature where we can modify the Windows Host File and it will stop certain websites from opening on a Windows computer.

This tutorial will help you to block websites in Windows 7 and later Windows OS including Windows 11.

Restrict a Website Using Windows Host File

Follow the step-by-step guide to block Websites by modifying the Windows Host File given below:

Step 1. First, we need to copy the Windows Host File.

  • To find it, follow the path C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc.
  • Once you reach the etc folder, select hosts file and do a right-click on it and copy it (or Ctrl + C).
  • Now minimize the file explorer.

block websites

Step 2. Once the hosts file is copied, go to the desktop and paste (Ctrl + V) it to the Desktop screen.

Step 3. Now right-click on the hosts file and open it with Notepad.

block a website on windows 10

Step 4. Once the hosts file is open on the Notepad, scroll down and go to the end of the text.

  • Then, type 127.0.0.1 www.facebook.com / 127.0.0.1 www.twitter.com (with this Facebook and Twitter website will be blocked from opening).
  • You may add more websites by doing the same process.
  • Once you finish adding the websites, go to the File Menu and click save and close the Notepad.

NOTE: Facebook and Twitter have taken here as an example. You can use any website instead.

block website

Step 5. Right-click on the hosts file on your desktop and copy it.

Now maximize the file explorer where the etc folder is located. Right-click inside the folder and paste the hosts file.

windows 10 blocking websites

Step 6. You may get prompted while pasting the hosts file to etc folder. Click on Replace the file in the destination. Once copied, close the file explorer.

Step 7. Now open any of the browsers and try to open www.facebook.com or www.twitter.com.

These websites will not open in any of the browsers installed on your computer because they have now been blocked.

block websites using host fileFor Information

All the steps shown in this post are on a Windows 10 computer and will work on other Windows OS as well.

You can use the same steps in Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 or 8.1 and on Windows 11 as well. It will work with no issues. If you have any trouble while doing the above steps, drop a comment below in the comment box.

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