script to block YT & FB on host file

I work as IT technical but I have limited experience with scripting.
I usually block YouTube and FB on host file when I give the laptop to my son to do his research.
I hope you can help me to make two scripts one to disable the YT and FB another to enable them.

thanks in advance :)

You can use NextDNS, it can block so much more like XXX and blocking/unblocking FB/YT is simple.

nightmoon said:

I work as IT technical but I have limited experience with scripting.
I usually block YouTube and FB on host file when I give the laptop to my son to do his research.
I hope you can help me to make two scripts one to disable the YT and FB another to enable them.

thanks in advance :)

Click to expand...

All you have to do is create 3 separate hosts files named HostsFBOFF , HostsYTOFF containing the blocked IPs & hostsORG (copy of the original hosts) and create 3 scripts that trigger them at will. Then it really then becomes a copy/replace.
so
BlockedFB.cmd would be copy HostsFBOFF hosts
BLockedYT.cmd would be copy HostsYTOFF hosts
UnblockAll.cmd would be copy hostsORG hosts

You may need to put the fully qualified path in your scripts if not run from windows\system32\drivers\etc\.
Then create 3 shortcuts from those cmd files to put on your desktop or elsewhere if you need to hide them.

HI @OAT
thank you for your post.
Can you create one script for me and I will do the rest please.

thanks @TairikuOkami
but i prefer free solution

nightmoon said:

HI @OAT
thank you for your post.
Can you create one script for me and I will do the rest please.

Click to expand...

I think you have all the info you need. I even provided you with each line to include in each of the 3 scripts.
You can figure out the rest.

Thanks @OAT can you explain why there is .cmd in the command please and where shall I put the IP of the FB and YT. I want to block FB and YT on the same command please.

BlockedFB.cmd would be copy HostsFBOFF hosts

BlockedFB.cmd is the name of the file, it is irrelevant what you call it.
.cmd is the file extension, same as .bat
You need to create a file containing the modified (blocking FB & YT) hosts file, call it hostsBlock and a copy of hosts as well.(hosts - Copy)
so in the etc folder you will have hosts & hostsBlock & hosts - Copy

On your desktop, create a text file, in it put.

@echo off
cls
c:
cd %windir%\System32\drivers\etc\
copy hostsBlock hosts
exit

Save file as Block.cmd
Answer yes about file type when prompted.

Make a copy of the file you just saved
Change name from Block - copy.cmd to UnBlock.cmd

Now edit that UnBlock.cmd file by right clicking/edit

This time you will change the copy line to

copy "hosts - Copy" hosts

Save the file, you will have 2 .cmd files, one to block, the other to unblock.
Run those as admin.

Wouldn't it be better to block the sites with a Firewall? Once set up you can go back and just untick the rule if needed and re-tick if needed again.

Fabler2 said:

Wouldn't it be better to block the sites with a Firewall? Once set up you can go back and just untick the rule if needed and re-tick if needed again.

How to Block Website or IP Address in Windows Firewall

Windows Firewall gives you a simple way to block a website URL or IP address. Here're the exact steps you should follow to do so.

windowsloop.com

Click to expand...

Many ways to do this. Powertoys now let you directly edit the hosts file thru a GUI.
The OP wants batch; I give batch.

OAT said:

Many ways to do this. Powertoys now let you directly edit the hosts file thru a GUI.
The OP wants batch; I give batch.

Click to expand...

Fair enough