How to Add “Take Ownership” Option to File or Folder Context Menu in Windows XP, Vista, 7 and Windows 8

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NOTE: This article has been featured by Microsoft. AskVG.com was the first website posting this unique trick.

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:

Download Link

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?

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This article was posted by VG in following section: Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Vista, Windows XP.

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ashleigh

ye i downloaded that and it opend in note pad didnt run
VG

^^ Right click on the file and click on Merge option.
Sora

Is there a way to undo the take ownership reg?
VG

^^ Open regedit and goto:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\

And delete "runas" key under them.
Yhan

how do i install this one?
Tulip

hi
am unable to get the option to take ownership
am using win vista home premium
plz help
VG

^^ Right-click on the REG file and select Run as Administrator. It should work.
PM

is there a way to remove the "take ownership" once installed??...or at least remove it from the menus?
VG

^^ An uninstallation file has been added. Please download the file again.
li

thinks i like it