How to Take Ownership of Files and Folders in Windows

Have you ever faced an “Access denied” error while deleting or accessing any file or folder? Many users face this problem daily. For example, Windows.old folder (created after upgrading Windows) and the hosts file, usually give this error if you try to delete or modify them. This means you need to take ownership and full access of such files and folders to solve the “Access denied” error.

This error occurs because you don’t have permission to modify or delete that file or folder. You cannot modify or delete any file or folder unless either you are the owner of that file or folder, or you have been provided the necessary permissions. So, how to solve this problem? You can change file and folder permissions to get the required access. It has been explained here in detail.

---

Take Ownership of Files and Folders in a Single Click

You can go to File or Folder’s properties and then set security permissions to change its ownership to get the required access. But this process is a bit tricky for a newbie. So, we have a better and quicker solution for that.

A small registry key that allows you to take ownership and full control of any file or folder, can do it for you. This registry key will add the Take Ownership option to the right-click context menu. Let’s see the process in detail.

NOTE: Please note that you must be an Administrator on your PC to use this trick.

Step 1: Add the Take Ownership Option to the Right-Click Context Menu

First of all, we are going to add the Take Ownership option to the right-click context menu. You can easily do it using a small registry key (download it from here). If you don’t prefer using the registry file, you can also do it manually which has been explained in detail by Walter Glenn on HowToGeek. However, in this tutorial, we are going to use the Registry file.

So, after downloading, extract the ZIP file. You will get to files inside that – InstallTakeOwnership.reg and RemoveTakeOwnership.reg. Double-click InstallTakeOwnership.reg file to add the Take Ownership option to the right-click context menu which will help us take ownership of files and folders in Windows.

You might be prompted for Administrator access to modify Registry settings. So, when you see the UAC prompt, click Yes to continue.

The Registry editor will show you a warning about adding a key to the registry, just press Yes and then OK to continue.

Now you have successfully added the Take Ownership option to the right-click menu.

---

Step 2: Take Ownership of Files and Folders with Ease

Now you have the power to take ownership of any file or folder. Just right-click on that file and select the Take Ownership option from the right-click menu.

You will see the UAC prompt again asking you for Administrator permissions for Command Prompt. Click Yes to continue.

The Command prompt will appear for a moment and disappear automatically. The time for which the command prompt appears depends on the number of items inside the folder that you are taking ownership of.

Now that file or folder is all yours, you can modify or delete it as you wish, it will not give you any errors.

---

SEE ALSO: How to Customize Right-Click Context Menu in Windows 10?

---

Step 3: Remove the Take Ownership option from the Right-click Menu

Now, if you don’t want the Take Ownership option in the right-click menu anymore, you can easily remove it. Simply double-click RemoveTakeOwnership.reg from downloaded Registry files. Again, you will see the UAC prompt, click Yes to continue.

Now, click on Yes and OK again to remove the Take Ownership option from the right-click context menu. Remember, you won’t be able to take ownership of files and folders in a single click anymore.

Now, you won’t see the Take Ownership option in the right-click menu anymore.

---

Take Ownership and Full Access to Files and Folders in Windows with Ease

You can use this Take Ownership context menu option to take ownership and gain control of those stubborn inaccessible folders and files. After taking full control and ownership, you can easily modify, delete, or open files or folders that were inaccessible.

Hope you liked this tutorial. In case you have any problems or suggestions, feel free to write in comments down below. You may also subscribe below to get the latest tutorials by email.