How to see a site before the DNS changes

Changing your DNS can take a few hours to 2 days. Sometimes you just want to see the new site NOW. Here are some things to try to get you to the new site sooner.

Step 1: Flush your DNS

On your computer go to Start -> Run and type in CMD and click OK. Then type in
ipconfig /flushdns

You should get something like this

Windows IP Configuration
Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.

Now close and reopen your browser. If you have multiple windows or tabs open you will need to close them all. Try your site again.

Step 2: Change your hosts file

If step 1 doesn't work for you then you will need to edit your hosts file.

The hosts file is a special file in windows. It is used to lookup domain names before checking DNS. You can find this file at

C:WINDOWSsystem32driversetchosts

Open this file with Notepad.

You should see a line like
127.0.0.1       localhost

Just add a line like this below with the IP of your server and your domain name.

1.2.3.4    www.example.com

If you are a REW customer simply ask your site live tech for the IP your site is going to be on. Also make sure to use the www so that you dont get redirected. All rew sites will redirect the non-www to the www.

Remember to take this out of your hosts file in a few days once the DNS is all caught up for your site otherwise if your site gets moved to another server you wont be able to see your site.

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