If you are trying to change or modify a system file in Windows, you will run into a difficulty when it comes to replacing or changing system files. You have to take ownership of the file and then grant your username full control of the file, after you can make your modifications to the file. So here is the solution that helps to accomplish the goal to take permission of files and folders in Windows Vista and Windows 7.

How To:

1. Run CMD as Administrator
2. Execute the following commands one by one:

TAKEOWN /F [Path of file or folder]

ICACLS [Path of file or folder] /grant Administrators:F

3. Now you able to change or modify the files and folders

Applies To:

  • Windows Server 2008 R2
  • Windows 7
  • Windows Server 2008
  • Windows Vista

One response to “Take Ownership or privileges of files and folders”

  1. John Lawrence Avatar
    John Lawrence

    Instead of running CMD, typing etc…
    You can add ‘Take Ownership’ option to your right click context menu. How?
    Download the takeownership.zip from here: http://tinyurl.com/takeownership-zip
    Extract the 2 files (InstallTakeOwnership.reg and RemoveTakeOwnership.reg) the open the ‘InstallTakeOwnership.reg’.
    It will be merge to your registry. Now try it, right click the file you wanna take ownership.
    -To remove it, just double click the ‘RemoveTakeOwnership.reg’.

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