Support DNS Flush for Windows in Python

readme_template.md

@@ -413,37 +413,7 @@ The hosts extensions are also available with the following options:
 }
 ```
 
-## Updating hosts file on Windows
-
-(NOTE: See also some third-party Hosts managers, listed below.)
-
-On Linux and macOS, run the Python script. On Windows more work is required due
-to compatibility issues so it's preferable to run the batch file as follows:
-
-```sh
-updateHostsWindows.bat
-```
-
-This file **MUST** be run in command prompt with administrator privileges in the
-repository directory. In addition to updating the hosts file, it can also
-replace the existing hosts file, and reload the DNS cache. It goes without
-saying that for this to work, you must be connected to the internet.
-
-To open a command prompt as administrator in the repository's directory, do the
-following:
-
-- **Windows XP**: Start → Run → `cmd`
-- **Windows Vista, 7**: Start Button → type `cmd` → right-click Command Prompt →
-  "Run as Administrator"
-- **Windows 8**: Start → Swipe Up → All Apps → Windows System → right-click
-  Command Prompt → "Run as Administrator"
-- **Windows 10**: Start Button → type `cmd` → right-click Command Prompt → "Run
-  as Administrator"
-
-You can also refer to the "Third-Party Hosts Managers" section for further
-recommended solutions from third parties.
-
-### Warning: Using this `hosts` file in Windows may require disabling DNS Cache service
+## Windows Caveat: Using this `hosts` file in Windows may require disabling DNS Cache service
 
 Windows has issues with larger hosts files. Recent changes in security within
 Windows 10 denies access to changing services via other tools except registry
@@ -473,6 +443,16 @@ Open a command prompt with administrator privileges and run this command:
 ipconfig /flushdns
 ```
 
+To open a command prompt as administrator, do the following:
+
+- **Windows XP**: Start → Run → `cmd`
+- **Windows Vista, 7**: Start Button → type `cmd` → right-click Command Prompt →
+  "Run as Administrator"
+- **Windows 8**: Start → Swipe Up → All Apps → Windows System → right-click
+  Command Prompt → "Run as Administrator"
+- **Windows 10, 11**: Start Button → type `cmd` → right-click Command Prompt → "Run
+  as Administrator"
+
 ### Linux
 
 Open a Terminal and run with root privileges:

testUpdateHostsFile.py

@@ -1436,23 +1436,30 @@ def test_flush_darwin_fail(self, _):
             output = sys.stdout.getvalue()
             self.assertIn(expected, output)
 
-    def test_flush_windows(self):
+    @mock.patch("subprocess.call", return_value=0)
+    def test_flush_windows(self, _):
         with self.mock_property("platform.system") as obj:
-            obj.return_value = "win32"
+            obj.return_value = "Windows"
+            flush_dns_cache()
 
-            with self.mock_property("os.name"):
-                os.name = "nt"
-                flush_dns_cache()
+            expected = (
+                "Flushing the DNS cache to utilize new hosts "
+                "file...\nFlushing the DNS cache requires "
+                "administrative privileges. You might need to "
+                "enter your password."
+            )
+            output = sys.stdout.getvalue()
+            self.assertIn(expected, output)
 
-                expected = (
-                    "Automatically flushing the DNS cache is "
-                    "not yet supported.\nPlease copy and paste "
-                    "the command 'ipconfig /flushdns' in "
-                    "administrator command prompt after running "
-                    "this script."
-                )
-                output = sys.stdout.getvalue()
-                self.assertIn(expected, output)
+    @mock.patch("subprocess.call", return_value=1)
+    def test_flush_windows_fail(self, _):
+        with self.mock_property("platform.system") as obj:
+            obj.return_value = "Windows"
+            flush_dns_cache()
+
+            expected = "Flushing the DNS cache failed."
+            output = sys.stdout.getvalue()
+            self.assertIn(expected, output)
 
     @mock.patch("os.path.isfile", return_value=False)
     def test_flush_no_tool(self, _):

updateHostsFile.py

@@ -1436,8 +1436,10 @@ def move_hosts_file_into_place(final_file):
         print(
             f"Replacing {target_file} requires root privileges. You might need to enter your password."
         )
+        cmds = [f'"cp {filename} {target_file}"'] if platform.system() == "Windows" else ["cp", filename, target_file]
+
         try:
-            subprocess.run(SUDO + ["cp", filename, target_file], check=True)
+            subprocess.run(SUDO + cmds, check=True)
             return True
         except subprocess.CalledProcessError:
             print_failure(f"Replacing {target_file} failed.")
@@ -1459,12 +1461,9 @@ def flush_dns_cache():
     if platform.system() == "Darwin":
         if subprocess.call(SUDO + ["killall", "-HUP", "mDNSResponder"]):
             print_failure("Flushing the DNS cache failed.")
-    elif os.name == "nt":
-        print("Automatically flushing the DNS cache is not yet supported.")
-        print(
-            "Please copy and paste the command 'ipconfig /flushdns' in "
-            "administrator command prompt after running this script."
-        )
+    elif platform.system() == "Windows":
+        if subprocess.call(SUDO + ['"ipconfig /flushdns"']):
+            print_failure("Flushing the DNS cache failed.")
     else:
         nscd_prefixes = ["/etc", "/etc/rc.d"]
         nscd_msg = "Flushing the DNS cache by restarting nscd {result}"