By default, the user who creates files and folders is marked as their owner. Ownership gives users full control over the created file or folder, allowing them to choose who can access, use, and modify it.
may Windows denies access to files and folders For other users due to lack of permissions. If the original owner of the file or folder is not available, as an administrator, you can take ownership of the file or folder by delving into the file properties.
How to take ownership of files or folders
With administrative privileges, you can take ownership of any file or folder created by another user on Windows 10. Once Log in with an administrator accountHere's how to take ownership of a file or folder.
Step 1: Right-click the file or folder and select The properties from the context menu.
Step 2: In the Properties window, switch to the tab "Safety" and click the . button "Advanced Options".
Step 3: Here, the name of the current owner of the file or folder will be displayed at the top. Click the button "A change" To transfer ownership to another person.
Step 4: In the next window, under “Enter the object name to select” Enter the username you wish to transfer ownership to. Once entered, verify the username entered is correct by clicking Check Names Button located next to it. Then click "OK".
Alternatively, you can also use the button. "Advanced Options" To quickly search for a username.
Step 5: While changing the ownership of a folder, if you want of course, you can also apply the ownership change to all of its subfolders by selecting the check box under the name.“Replace owner on subcontainers and objects” in window Advanced Security Settings .
Step 6: After that, press Application ثم OK.
Now that the ownership of the selected file or folder has been transferred, you can now grant the new owner different permissions to modify that file or folder.
How to grant permissions to a file or folder
After changing the owner, you'll need to grant full access to the new owner by granting certain permissions to edit, read, write, etc. Here's how.
Step 1: Right-click the file or folder and select The properties From the context menu. In the Properties window, switch to the tab "Safety" and click the . button "Advanced Options".
Step 2: in window Advanced Security Settings , click the . button Add.
Step 3: In the permission entry window that opens, click “Select a manager” To specify the user to whom you grant permissions.
Step 4: Add username in window Select User or Group. Then click "OK".
Step 5: Next, you will be able to choose from a list of permissions under “Basic Permissions”.Select Full control To grant all available permissions. Then click "OK".
That's all. The file or folder in question has now been transferred to its new owner.
How to take ownership of files or folders that contain prompts
Aside from modifying file properties, if you are comfortable using the command prompt, you can also take ownership of any file or folder using the takeown.exeHere's how.
Step 1: Open File Explorer Import the file or folder to transfer ownership. Select it and click the Copy Path option at the top to copy the file/folder's path.
Step 2: Now open the menu START YOUR , And type cmd , and click Run as administrator on your right to open the command prompt with administrator rights.
Step 3: in window Command Prompt , type the following command and press Enter To take ownership of a file or folder.
takeown /F
replace In the above command, use the path of the file or folder copied in step 1.
Once completed, you will see a confirmation that the ownership has changed.
As we just saw, the use of Command Prompt Much faster than going through multiple Properties windowsHowever, the only catch is that you can't specify a user or group when changing ownership. That is, you'll only be able to transfer ownership to the current user or the local administrators group.
Take responsibility through ownership
Taking ownership gives you the necessary permissions required to access or modify files and folders on Windows 10. Once taken, you can read, write, or modify that file or folder as you see fit.
Aside from the above, having ownership can also be beneficial when you want to Force delete files and folders Or Import files into the registry editor.
