Microsoft

Slideshow: Take ownership of files and folders in Windows

By // January 26, 2011, 3:12 AM PST // markwkaelin

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  • Right-click the file or folder and open Properties

    By default, the creator of a file of folder in Microsoft Windows 7 is the owner of that file or folder. As owner, that user can allow or deny access to non-administrator users. However, there are times when an administrator, or a user with administrator privileges and/or Take Ownership permission, will want to take ownership of a file or folder.

    Taking ownership

    If you are an administrator, or otherwise have the proper privileges, you can change ownership with these steps:

    1. Right-click on the file or folder to get the context menu and then click the Properties menu item.


    This gallery is also available as a TechRepublic blog post and download. Image created by Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic.

  • Security Tab then Advanced button

    2. Click the Security Tab on the Properties screen and then click the Advanced button.

    This gallery is also available as a TechRepublic blog post and download. Image created by Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic.

  • Advanced Security Settings

    You'll get an Advanced Security Settings screen.

    This gallery is also available as a TechRepublic blog post and download. Image created by Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic.

  • Click the Owner Tab and then the Edit button

    3. Click the Owner Tab on the Advanced Security Settings screen and then click the Edit button.

    This gallery is also available as a TechRepublic blog post and download. Image created by Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic.

  • Change Ownership

    4. On the next screen, select a new owner from the Change owner to list (Figure E). Note, if you need to take ownership for sub-folders located within the folder, click the "Replace owner or subcontainers and objects" check box.

    5. Click OK on the opening screens and ownership of that folder or file should be transferred.

    This gallery is also available as a TechRepublic blog post and download. Image created by Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic.

Right-click the file or folder and open Properties

By default, the creator of a file of folder in Microsoft Windows 7 is the owner of that file or folder. As owner, that user can allow or deny access to non-administrator users. However, there are times when an administrator, or a user with administrator privileges and/or Take Ownership permission, will want to take ownership of a file or folder.

Taking ownership

If you are an administrator, or otherwise have the proper privileges, you can change ownership with these steps:

1. Right-click on the file or folder to get the context menu and then click the Properties menu item.


This gallery is also available as a TechRepublic blog post and download. Image created by Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic.

Related Topics:

Microsoft Enterprise Software Software Collaboration Mobility Cloud Hardware

By Mark Kaelin

Mark W. Kaelin has been writing and editing stories about the IT industry, gadgets, finance, accounting, and tech-life for more than 25 years. Most recently, he has been a regular contributor to BreakingModern.com, aNewDomain.net, and TechRepublic.