Web Analytics


Do you find when you’re modifying system files in Windows 7, Vista, or XP that you have to change permissions a lot?

I’ve been using this for a while now and I can’t tell you how useful it is.


InstallTakeOwnership.reg adds a Take Ownership Context Menu Item to all files and folders.

Take Ownership

  • Download TakeOwnership.zip.

  • To add “Take ownership” to your context menu, simply merge (double click) InstallTakeOwnership.reg into your windows registry.
  • To remove “Take ownership” from your context menu, simply merge (double click) RemoveTakeOwnership.reg into your windows registry.

About Rich

Rich is the owner and creator of Windows Guides; he spends his time breaking things on his PC so he can write how-to guides to fix them.

Free PC tips by email

Search Windows Guides




Comments

67 thoughts on “Take Ownership: Manage File Permissions in 7/Vista/XP”

  1. Mel says:

    Oh – and imma say 28-10 BYU ;)

  2. Rich says:

    Yeah, the site will still be kept up as frequently as it is now. In fact, I’ll be less busy because I wont have a part-time job, a business (no longer part of it) and an average of 23.5 credits a semester at BYU!

  3. Justin Guy says:

    i already knew this. from how to geek. also, use this for deleting fonts u don’t want!

  4. Justin Guy says:

    i already knew this. from how to geek. also, use this for deleting fonts u don’t want!

  5. Justin Guy says:

    i already knew this. from how to geek. also, use this for deleting fonts u don’t want!

  6. Secret says:

    Very useful! I …Very easy and functional.You just saved me several hours of work. Thank you.

  7. asukicco says:

    Doesn't work for me. I'm trying to take control of c:windows, a small cmd-like window appear and disappear and when I'm trying to move a modded explorer.exe into c:windows it still ask me for permissions. Is this because I'm using a 64bit windows 7?

  8. Rich says:

    Take control of explorer.exe and not the whole Windows folder.

  9. RandomGuy says:

    will this show on the admin account or any other?

  10. Brazil says:

    It worked. Awesome. Thanks.

  11. Rich says:

    More details about the error will help us determine why it’s not working for you.

  12. rksilva says:

    doesn’t work for me. i still can’t rename my explorer.exe. i don’t see the ‘take owenership’ when i right click my explorer.exe. i took ownership with the windows folder but still can’t rename my explorer.exe.

  13. K1jeon says:

    wow thank U .

  14. Oscar says:

    I have the same problem as some other here, there is no “take ownership on my explorer.exe

    1. Stu says:

      You either need to take ownership of %windir% or manually change the permissions on explorer.exe

  15. Manna says:

    Worked great!  Thank you!

  16. Me Here says:

    To the people having trouble getting the context menu to appear. DO NOT TRY To make this work on a single file (As I did at first) Example, c:windowssystem32wisptis.exe is the problem child for me…. (pardon if I typed the path incorrectly, you get the idea) you need to navigate to the FOLDER system 32 and right click on THE FOLDER, ***NOT*** repeat…. not the file INSIDE the folder. It takes a while for it to reassign all the permissions, you’ll get the cmd screen and it will say SUCCESS (hopefully) for each item it reassigns/gives you ownership. THEN go into the file and do whatever you need to do, eg: delete it, deny system access to it, or maybe just shred it, burn it then bury it and say a rosary, whatever…. it would be nice to take ownership of one file, and maybe I missed something, but I only got the context menu option when right clicking the folder.

Comments are closed.


Computer tips in your inbox
Sign up for the Windows Guides newsletter to get PC tips and access to free Windows books (More details)

Subscribe now
Popular Guides

See which sites have been visited on your PC (even if private browsing mode is used)

Create a Windows 7 System Repair Disc

Best Free Anti-malware

Hibernate vs. Sleep vs. Shut-Down

i3, i5, and i7; Dual, Quad, Hexa Core Processors. How to they Differ?

Intel's Ivy Bridge Processor: new Features

Windows Guides on Facebook