LMHOSTS file is a text file containing IP address mappings of the Domain Names or the remote servers connected to the system via TCP/IP protocol. For some reason, if you want to disable the LMHosts lookup in Windows 10, then read along.
In this article, we have come up with 3 different ways to disable the LMHOSTS lookup in the system
Table of Contents
Fix 1: From Adapter Properties
Step 1: Open the Run dialog by pressing the keys Windows + R
Step 2: Type ncpa.cpl and hit Enter
Step 3: In the opening window, right-click on the Adapter and choose Properties
Step 4: The Ethernet Properties window opens. Under the This connection uses the following items section, click on Internet Protocol Version 4(TCP/IPv4).
Step 5: Click on the Properties button
Step 6: In the Internet Protocol Version 4(TCP/IPV4) Properties window, click on the Advanced button
Step 7: In the Advanced TCP/IP Settings window, go to the WINS tab
Step 8: Untick the Disable LMHOSTS lookup option
Step 9: Click on the OK button.
Step 10: In the Internet Protocol Version 4(TCP/IPV4) Properties window, click on the OK button
Step 11: In the Ethernet Properties window, click on OK
Step 12: Restart the system
Fix 2: From Registry Editor
Step 1: Open Run Dialog pressing the keys Windows+R at the same time.
Step 2: Type regedit and hit Enter
Step 3: You will see a UAC prompt asking for permission, click on Yes
NOTE: Registry editing can have an adverse effect on the system even with the slightest mistake. It is advised to take the backup of the registry before proceeding. To take a backup, In the Registry Editor–> Go to File –> Export –> Save your Backup file.
Step 4: In the Registry Editor window, in the search bar at the top, copy-paste the following location and press Enter
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\NetBT\Parameters
Step 5: On the right-hand side, double click on EnableLMHosts
Step 6: In the Edit DWORD window, change the value from 1 to 0
Step 7: Restart the system
Fix 3: From PowerShell
Step 1: Open the Run Dialog by holding the buttons Windows and R at the same time.
Step 2: Type powershell and hold the keys Ctrl+Shift+Enter. This opens the PowerShell window with the Administrator rights.
Step 3: When you see a dialog popping up asking for permission, just click on Yes.
Step 4: In the PowerShell window that opens type, the below commands one after the other. Make sure to press Enter after every command
$DisableLMHosts_Class=Get-WmiObject -list Win32_NetworkAdapterConfiguration $DisableLMHosts_Class.EnableWINS($false,$false)
That’s All
We hope this article has been informative. Thank you for Reading.
Please comment and let us know which of the above fix helped you disable the LMHOSTS lookup

Anusha Pai is a Software Engineer having a long experience in IT industry and having a passion to write.
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