How do I save my Windows 10 hosts file?

Question

Before someone goes and marks this as a duplicate, please understand that I have tried all of the following:

1. Running notepad as an administrator, editing the file and attempting to save. No luck.
2. Copying the hosts file to another folder, editing the file and attempting to replace/overwrite the original. No luck.
3. Unchecking the read-only option in file properties. Wasn't set so no luck.
4. Seeing what is using the file in SysInternals Process Explorer. Here's what I see. Doesn't look out of the ordinary. Please respond if you disagree.

5. Taking ownership of the hosts file using the Security tab of the file properties. No luck.
6. Taking ownership of the etc folder that contains the hosts file using the Security tab of the folder properties. No luck.
7. Trying to use the administrative mode of Notepad++ to save the file. No luck.

Any other ideas?

Answer 1

So as it turns out, I skipped over a suggestion because I didn't think it had merit. I was wrong...

@Ramhound had the clue that I needed in the post he provided.

A solution in that post suggested running Process Explorer as Administrator and then searching for the hosts file. As soon as I did I saw this:

Note the WRSA.exe process that was not in my original screenshot. This is Webroot with a hand firmly grasping the hosts file.

And continuing to read that solution, it became clear that Webroot was the culprit.

I opened Webroot and searched for the setting alluded to. Here's what I found:

After unchecking the box, I was able to save my hosts file in an elevated notepad++ session.

So here is the kicker. There is a difference in the implementations of Webroot on Windows Home and Windows Professional.

I am used to working on Windows Professional. There is no problem saving your hosts file in an elevated notepad/notepad++ session on Windows Professional.

If you are using Webroot on Windows Home, however, it appears that you must uncheck this box to be able to save changes to your hosts file.