HOTS Hosts is a free, open-source Windows app for editing the hosts file. It includes parental controls, telemetry-blocking privacy tools, automatic backups and malware diagnostics.
Publisher’s description
What is HOTS Hosts?
HOTS Hosts is an open-source firewall & privacy program for Windows from Darsono.
Installation and requirements
Official installers exist for 64-bit as EXE (Inno Setup). The installer supports unattended (silent) installation.
Updates and version history
The current version is 2.4, released on October 16, 2026. 2 versions are listed since October 30, 2026, each with links to its own installer files. The last update is less than a month old.
Pros / Cons
Pros
- Open source: the code can be inspected and built by anyone
- Documented silent install
- Updated in the last two months
Cons
- No native ARM64 build
In short: HOTS Hosts is an open-source firewall & privacy tool for 64-bit PCs. Administrators can deploy it unattended.
Is HOTS Hosts safe to download?
- The file is served by github.com, the publisher’s own domain
- The download link uses HTTPS
- A SHA256 hash is published, so you can verify the file:
FA6629CFB7128C30695C4340834D0D4E3F5CA765AC4A98ECC41160A07F1D85EE· Open the VirusTotal report for this hash - The link has not been checked yet
- The source code is public
- ExeAtlas does not host, wrap or modify installers
Related guide: How to check a file’s SHA256 hash on Windows
Recent versions
All 2 versions ›| Version | Date | Size | Files |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4Latest | October 16, 2026 | — | 64-bit EXE (Inno Setup) |
| 2.2 | October 30, 2026 | — | 64-bit EXE (Inno Setup) |
Install from the command line
Silent install ›winget install --id Darsono.HOTSHosts -eHOTS_Hosts_setup.exe /VERYSILENT /SUPPRESSMSGBOXES /NORESTART /SP-Related guide: How to use winget: install and update apps
Information
- Publisher
- Darsono
- Category
- Firewall & privacy
- Licence
- GPL-3.0
- Price
- Free
- Requires
- Windows 11 / 10
- Architecture
- 64-bit
- Installer
- EXE (Inno Setup)
- Version
- 2.4
- Released
- October 16, 2026
- Added to the catalogue
- October 30, 2026
- Versions listed
- 2
- Website
- hotstools.com
- winget ID
- Darsono.HOTSHosts
Ratings and reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to rate it.
Alternatives to HOTS Hosts
See all ›-
OnionShare2.7.1OnionShare is an open source tool that lets you securely and anonymously share files, host websites, and chat with friends using the Tor networkOpen source40.7K ↓ -
Portmaster2.2.8Portmaster is a free and open-source application that puts you back in charge over all your computers network connections.Open source22.3K ↓ -
DingTalk Workspace CLI1.0.66dws — DingTalk Workspace on the command line, built for humans and AI agents.Open source5.7K ↓ -
Open source15.1K ↓ -
Open source21.7K ↓ -
Open source58K ↓ -
Subsurface6.0.5504Subsurface can plan and track single and multi-tank dives using air, Nitrox or TriMix.Open source5.4K ↓ -
Fort Firewall3.20.8An effective firewall designed for Windows 7 and later versions, offering both simplicity and robustness.Open source196 ↓
Frequently asked questions
Is HOTS Hosts free?
Yes. HOTS Hosts is open-source software under the GPL-3.0 licence.
Is HOTS Hosts safe to download?
The download comes from github.com, which belongs to the publisher; ExeAtlas does not host or change the file. Compare its SHA256 hash with the one shown here, or open the VirusTotal report for that hash.
How do I install HOTS Hosts with winget?
Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal and run the winget command shown on this page. winget downloads the official installer and checks its SHA256 hash before running it.
Can HOTS Hosts be installed silently?
Yes. The silent install page lists the exact command for each installer.
Does HOTS Hosts run on ARM (Windows on Arm)?
There is no ARM64 build; Windows 11 on Arm can run the 64-bit version through emulation.
Where can I download an older version of HOTS Hosts?
The versions page lists all 2 versions with links to their official installer files, back to October 30, 2026.
What are alternatives to HOTS Hosts?
OnionShare, Portmaster, DingTalk Workspace CLI, dnscrypt-proxy and WindowsSpyBlocker. The alternatives page compares them.
