Many times you need to take ownership of a file or folder in Windows. You have to follow no. of steps to do this task. But now you can do it in a single step.
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/folder context menu:

Now you can right-click on any file/folder and select “Take ownership”. It’ll make you the owner of the file/folder.
This article was posted in Windows 7, Windows Vista.
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Sean
I have the same problem as Eric R
Oskar
hey, anyone know how i can take the ownership of a folder? cuz i use the script in this page and when i try to change it comes up a messager saying that i need the trustedinstaller rights, how can i change it?
anyway, great tutorial
Astrid
When I try to use this with paint, it says "You need agreement from trustedInstallers"
doesn't work with me
:(
ntlgbr
If I add 'remove take ownership' reg does this mean that it will change the modified ownership (of the files and folders) back to the original? It would be great. If not, how to do it?
Sorry for being such an amateur.
VG
^^ No. You can reset the ownership by entering the file/folder Properties.
Paultx
My Windows 7 is in Brazilian Portuguese. If I apply this reg mod will it reflect the system's language or will it still be English? And in this latter case, is there a way I can change the menu command to Brazilian Portuguese?
VG
^^ Open the .REG file in Notepad and change "Take ownership" string to any desired string mentioned in 4, 13, 22 and 31 lines.
aCROX999
I can't take ownership of explorer.exe! What should I do?
Thanks in advance.
aCROX999
Oh, I got it. It said, "ERROR : The current logged on user does not have the permission to take ownership of the file C:\Windows\explorer.exe"
Why I don't see any UAC prompt box when I click "Take Ownership"?
Guy
Okay what if the "take ownership" is there but then I click it, I still can't rename my files?