Hosts file edit shortcut with gvim

Paul Sweeney · 10th March 2021

quicktips   windows   vim   gvim

To enable hosts file edit using a gvim shortcut, without breaking explorer Edit with vim right-click action …

  • create a shortcut with command: 
    "C:\Program Files (x86)\Vim\vim82\gvim.exe" "C:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts"
  • on the shortcut property page, under the Shortcut tab, choose “Advanced” and check “Run as administrator”

:warning: DO NOT go to shortcut Compatability tab and select “Run this program as an administrator” - this will make gvim ALWAYS run as admin and right-click “Edit with Vim…” option will be broken, reporting gvimext.dll error creating process: check if gvim is in your path!