To edit your HOSTS file you can create a custom Desktop or Quick Launch shortcut.
Note: the below locations are for the default paths, edit as needed. [screenshot (XP only)]
Right-click on the Desktop, select: New > Shortcut (and paste the following)
Windows XP
Target: C:\WINDOWS\NOTEPAD.EXE C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\etc\HOSTS
Start In: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC
Or put a Notepad shortcut in your SendTo folder
Start | Run (type) sendto (click Ok)
File > New > Shortcut
In the command line, (highlight and paste the below)
C:\WINDOWS\NOTEPAD.EXE (provided Windows is the default location)
Then simply right-click on the HOSTS file and select: SendTo > Notepad (Screenshot)