HOTS is a free, open-source dark-themed editor for the Windows hosts file — with backups, diagnostics, parental controls, and a built-in telemetry blocker. No terminal required.
The hosts file has no undo, no validation, and no memory of what you meant to change.
Notepad won't save the file unless it was opened as administrator — and by the time you notice, you've already typed the change.
A missing space or a malformed IP doesn't throw an error — it just quietly stops resolving, and you won't know why.
Want to disable an entry temporarily? In a text editor, that means deleting it — and hoping you remember to type it back correctly later.
HOTS isn't just a table editor — it bundles the tools people actually reach for around the hosts file.
Everything you'd expect from a proper table editor, plus a safety net under every save.
Catches the entries that are quietly broken or actively dangerous.
Blocklists for 14 categories — adult content, social apps, games, torrents, and more — each in its own tagged section so toggles never collide.
Large platforms rotate through hundreds of CDN subdomains, so a blocklist is never 100% complete — add stragglers manually. Browsers with DNS-over-HTTPS enabled bypass the hosts file entirely and need Secure DNS turned off. Phones, tablets, and VPN-connected devices aren't covered — this only governs the Windows PC it runs on.
A narrowly-scoped, one-click telemetry reducer — not a full privacy suite, just the highest-impact switches.
Grab the .exe if you just want it working, or build from source if you'd rather verify the code first.
HOTS is a small independent project without a paid code-signing certificate, so Windows SmartScreen may warn that it "isn't commonly downloaded." That's expected for any new unsigned .exe — it doesn't mean the file is unsafe. Click More info → Run anyway, or build from source yourself if you'd rather verify first.
Requires Python 3.10+ with tkinter (bundled on Windows) and Pillow. Must be run as Administrator — the hosts file is write-protected by Windows.
HOTS is the first release from a small line of no-nonsense Windows utilities. The next ones are still taking shape.
Edit, back up, diagnose, and lock down your Windows hosts file — with parental controls and a telemetry blocker built in.
Not announced yet — follow the GitHub for updates as it takes shape.
Reserved for whatever small, annoying problem needs solving next.
HOTS is a personal hobby project, released free under GPLv3. If it saves you time or you just want to say thanks, any amount is appreciated — no registration required.
Released under the GNU GPLv3. Provided in good faith but without any warranty — modifying the hosts file affects system-level network resolution, so use with care. You use this software at your own risk.
© 2026 Darsono
Free and open source. No install wizard required for the portable build.