Hosts File Windows 10 version 22H2(OS Build 19045.5737)

Hello all,

Host
hosts.ics
lmhosts.sam
networks
protocol
services

These are the folders in my host file. Host is supposed to be hosts. For some reason I renamed this folder when tinkering with the "hosts" file.
I'd like to rename it back. What's the easiest way of doing it please?
My efforts haven't worked to far. I know I'm doing something wrong.
I did delete hosts.bak.
Can I get rid of anything else in this file? The only currently dated one is host.

Robert

Thanks Dalchina,
I'll check them out and get back to you.
Robert

Thanks Dalchina,
Following your advice I managed to reinstate my hosts file completely.
Seems all changes to this file have to be done on the windows desktop and whatever changes you make have then to be pasted back to the etc folder. On the desktop I saved my altered host file as hosts.file, saved it under "all files"and then renamed it hosts. That hosts file I pasted back to the etc folder. It was accepted after the UAC question. I deleted the "host" I had in the etc folder without issue.
So - my hosts file is back the way I wanted it.

Thanks for the info about BlueLife Hosts editor. Never knew about that program. I'll study it.

Can you suggest anything else I should check to remove unwanted intrusion via the hosts file or anywhere else?
Many thanks,
Robert

Thanks for your time Dalchina,

I've write protected my hosts file. If I want to alter this file I'll uncheck that box to start and then check it again when I've done.

The IP addresses in my hosts file have all been either 0.0.0.0 or 127.0.0.1 so I've never discovered anything odd in it.

Never worked at this level before. Great learning curve.

Thanks.
Robert