[not1ofU]

yeah but windows defender will wipe it clean evertime it updates.

Plus if you have a massive (>3MB) hosts file it causes other issues during bootup, which requiers disabling another service (dont remember which one off the top of my head, as I am using Pi-Hole these days)

[RajT88]

In 2022, nobody should have a 3mb hosts file.

This is not the way...

[Avamander]

Unfortunately running your own DNS isn't an option in every context. Not to mention, 3MB is nothing, it shouldn't struggle with that.

[ridgered4]

Is blocking on a DNS level even sufficient? I'd imagine there are hard coded fall back IPs involved at least sometimes.

[not1ofU]

A lot of IOT devices (including smart TV's), completly ignore DNS

[netr0ute]

Easy! Just set router level firewall rules to redirect DNS.

[Avamander]

DoH and DoT are slowly changing that, it's getting troublesome to redirect.

[Avamander]

It certainly helps, but it's not perfect, no.

[not1ofU]

I am blocking shy of 2 million domains with Pi-Hole, and in fairness, the file I was using is 3.11mb and if I open it in Notepad++ it contains 106369 lines (about 40 of the lines are comments / empty)

I am also not sure at what size the issue with the service appears.