By default, the LMHOSTS name resolution method is enabled when TCP/IP is installed on a computer. You can disable LMHOSTS name resolution by clicking to clear the Enable LMHOSTS Lookup check box on the WINS Address tab of the Microsoft TCP/IP Properties dialog box. It is recommended that you do not disable LMHOSTS name resolution because it provides a backup name service for WINS servers that are off-line or unavailable.
To use an LMHOSTS file from a remote computer or different directory on the local computer, click Import LMHOSTS as illustrated in the following figure.
Figure 10.1 Configuring TCP/IP to Enable LMHOSTS Lookup