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:
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?
This article was posted by VG in following section: Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Vista, Windows XP.
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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?
Marco
People with troubles on getting permission, go to the file properties and, at the Security tab, change the privileges of your user to modify the file, so you'll be able to rename it.
esther
Doesn't work, they tell me I have to get 'trustedinstaller''s permission.
Robert
I'm using Windows 7 64bit and this .reg fle doesn't work for me. It adds the 'Take Ownership' command in the menu but doesn't actually work when I attempt to take ownership.
The ones below work, however.
INSTALL (Below)
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\runas]
@="Take Ownership"
"HasLUAShield"=""
"NoWorkingDirectory"=""
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\runas\command]
@="cmd.exe /c takeown /f \"%1\" && icacls \"%1\" /grant administrators:F"
"IsolatedCommand"="cmd.exe /c takeown /f \"%1\" && icacls \"%1\" /grant administrators:F"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\runas]
@="Take Ownership"
"HasLUAShield"=""
"NoWorkingDirectory"=""
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\runas\command]
@="cmd.exe /c takeown /f \"%1\" /r /d y && icacls \"%1\" /grant administrators:F /t"
"IsolatedCommand"="cmd.exe /c takeown /f \"%1\" /r /d y && icacls \"%1\" /grant administrators:F /t"
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
Uninstall (Below)
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\runas]
[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\runas]
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\