[Hosts File Editor] Can't save hidden hosts file

[chnjyxz]

Microsoft PowerToys version

0.83.0

Installation method

PowerToys auto-update

Running as admin

Yes

Area(s) with issue?

Hosts File Editor

Steps to reproduce

run program with administrator
edit any hosts in editor show can not save hosts file
but I can edit and save in notpad with administrator

✔️ Expected Behavior

PowerToysReport_2024-08-14-04-02-06.zip

❌ Actual Behavior

run program with administrator
edit any hosts in editor show can not save hosts file
but I can edit and save in notpad with administrator

Other Software

No response

[similar-issues-ai]

We've found some similar issues:

• Hosts File editor can't save changes #23646 , similarity score: 86%
• Unable to save hosts file changes using Hosts file editor even though the non admin user has the write permissions to the file. #32364 , similarity score: 85%
• CANNOT_EDIT_HOSTSFILE #26555 , similarity score: 83%
• the host file not saving anymore #25180 , similarity score: 83%
• Can't active host file editor with administrator right #22230 , similarity score: 82%

If any of the above are duplicates, please consider closing this issue out and adding additional context in the original issue.

Note: You can give me feedback by 👍 or 👎 this comment.

[davidegiacometti]

Hi @chnjyxz
Can you share a screenshot of the hosts file properties?
Does the file have read-only or hidden attributes set?
/needinfo

[chnjyxz]

[chnjyxz]

[davidegiacometti]

The editor fails to save the file due to the hidden attribute set on the hosts file.
First time we encounter this issue. I think we should handle it somehow.
Work-around is removing the hidden attribute from the hosts file.

[chnjyxz]

run C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc>attrib -s -h -r hosts
it works! thank you!

[davidegiacometti]

Good to know that.
I have also created a PR to handle the hidden hosts file in the PowerToys Editor.