Many times you need to take ownership of a file or folder in Windows. For example, when you want to customize Windows UI and need to replace existing system files with a new one.
You have to follow no. of steps to take ownership and grant yourself full permission to access the file or folder. But now you can do it in a single step.
You just need to download following zip file and extract it. You'll get a .REG file. Run the file and accept the confirmation:
It'll add an extra option "Take ownership" in file and folder context menu:

Now you can right-click on any file or folder and select "Take ownership" option. It'll make you the owner of the file or folder and you can perform your desired operation on that file or folder.
NOTE: If you face problem while taking ownership of a file or folder using above method, you can try manual method which is mentioned in following article:
[Guide] How to Take Ownership (Permission) of a File or Folder Manually in Windows?
[Guide] How to Restore "TrustedInstaller" as Default Owner of a File or Folder in Windows?
Posted by: Vishal Gupta | Categories: Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Vista, Windows XP
Ken
Just wanted to say a big "Thanks" for the information and .reg file allowing me to take ownership of folders.
I have two hard drives in my machine and Windows7 corrupted on one earlier this year and I re-installed the O/S on the second drive. This meant I wanted to delete all the Windows stuff on the original drive and I wasn't allowed ot as I wasn't the Trustedinstaller! I have now cleared many Gb's thanks to this great bit of software! Thanks so much!
Canons
thx!
Trevor
Thanks very much! I've had some network user, s05-whatever having ownership of my files for far too long now.
You can't manually re ownership EVERY file. This solves problems! TYVM!!! =)
Does anyone know of a way to macro/mass delete users on files in the same way this registry key adds a right click to take ownership of all files at once???
At least I can delete stubborn files now, thanks very much. Being unable to delete a file is stupid. Who's machine is it???
I see user names on file permissions showing users not authorized to be there.
Properties, Security, Group or user names:
Everyone
System
S-1-5-21-676910019-307996360-2240660173-1000 (the bad one I want gone)
Administrators (Username-PC\Administrators)
Users (Username-PC\Users)
Now I can TRY to remove each user at each file/folder level but with macros like this I'd rather let it run a 1/2 hour and clean up my file system.
To be rid of this would be real swell. Love more info if someone here knows what's up in my system.
Sid
I get a 'Error, cannot access registry' message when I try and install
debrah
Hey this is great thanks!
Rowen
it still doesnt work for me??? i don't get it. i right click on the folder and i take ownership, but i still won't delete?
Can someone help me?
UTKARSH
Thanks dude
best site maker
infinity thanks