HostsMan is a freeware application that let’s you manage your hosts file with ease. This article will serve as an informative guide and give you a clear understanding of how to perform a silent installation of HostsMan from the command line using the EXE installer.
How to Install HostsMan Silently
HostsMan Silent Install (EXE)
- Navigate to: http://www.abelhadigital.com/hostsman/#downloads
- Select the Installer zip file
- Extract the HostsMan_Setup.exe from the zip file using 7-zip to a folder created at (C:\Downloads)
- Open an Elevated Command Prompt by Right-Clicking on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator
- Navigate to the C:\Downloads folder
- Enter the following command: HostsMan_Setup.exe /VERYSILENT /NORESTART
- Press Enter
After a few moments you will find HostsMan entries in the Start Menu, Installation Directory, and Programs and Features in the Control Panel.
| Software Title: | HostsMan |
| Vendor: | abelhadigital.com |
| Architecture: | x86 |
| Installer Type: | EXE |
| Silent Install Switch: | HostsMan_Setup.exe /VERYSILENT /NORESTART |
| Silent Uninstall Switch (32-bit System) | "%ProgramFiles%\HostsMan\unins000.exe" /VERYSILENT /NORESTART |
| Silent Uninstall Switch (64-bit System) | "%ProgramFiles(x86)%\HostsMan\unins000.exe" /VERYSILENT /NORESTART |
| Download Link: | http://www.abelhadigital.com/hostsman/#downloads |
| PowerShell Script: | https://silentinstallhq.com/hostsman-install-and-uninstall-powershell/ |
The information above provides a quick overview of the software title, vendor, silent install, and silent uninstall switches. The download links provided take you directly to the vendors website. Continue reading if you are interested in additional details and configurations.
Additional Configurations
Create an Installation Log File
The HostsMan installer offers the option to generate a log file during installation to assist with troubleshooting should any problems arise. You can use the following command to create a verbose log file with details about the installation.
HostsMan Silent Install (EXE) with Logging
HostsMan_Setup.exe /VERYSILENT /NORESTART /LOG="%WINDIR%\Temp\HostsMan-Install.log" |
Change Default Installation Directory
You can also change the default installation directory by using the following command line parameters. In this example, I’m installing HostsMan to “C:\HostsMan”
HostsMan_Setup.exe /DIR="C:\HostsMan" /VERYSILENT /NORESTART |
Include Desktop Shortcut During Install
The HostsMan installer does not create a desktop shortcut by default. If you want the desktop shortcut, then you can run the following command line switches to include it.
HostsMan Silent Install (EXE) with Desktop Shortcut
HostsMan_Setup.exe/VERYSILENT /NORESTART /MERGETASKS=desktopicon |
Create a Hosts Backup During Install
HostsMan Silent Install (EXE) with Hosts Backup Creation
HostsMan_Setup.exe /VERYSILENT /NORESTART /MERGETASKS=createhostsbackup |
How to Uninstall HostsMan Silently
Check out the HostsMan Install and Uninstall (PowerShell) post for a scripted solution.
- Open an Elevated Command Prompt by Right-Clicking on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator
- Enter one of the following sets of commands:
HostsMan Silent Uninstall (EXE) on 32-bit System
TASKKILL /F /IM hm.exe |
"%ProgramFiles%\HostsMan\unins000.exe" /VERYSILENT /NORESTART |
HostsMan Silent Uninstall (EXE) on 64-bit System
TASKKILL /F /IM hm.exe |
"%ProgramFiles(x86)%\HostsMan\unins000.exe" /VERYSILENT /NORESTART |
Always make sure to test everything in a development environment prior to implementing anything into production. The information in this article is provided “As Is” without warranty of any kind.