How to Change Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows

So you can make changes as you please

Having full control over a user account on your system means you can make changes to that account owner’s files. But before you can have that control, there’s no shortcut:you need to own it.

Don’t know how to go about this? Don’t worry. We’ll walk through the process.

In this post, you’ll learn how to change the ownership of files and folders on Windows. This way, you can make modifications as you please. Note that if a file orfolder is owned by TrustedInstaller, you need to follow a different procedure, mentioned in the link.

About the Ownership of Files and Folders

If you have noadministrative privileges, Windows 10 won’t give you permission to make changes. That is why you need to make this happen.

Getting 100% control over the files and folders means you can access them — and do whatever you want. This is useful if you need to access old user accounts so you can make major changes to the operating system.

How to Get Access

This is the first part of the process. Completing this means you can access another user account.

First, press the Windows key and search forFile Explorer.

Open the explorer. Then, right-click on the files or folders that you want to access and selectPropertiesfrom the drop-down menu.

There, go to theSecuritytab and click theAdvancedbutton. Doing this allows you to tweak the files or folders with special consideration.

Here, focus onOwner. It will specify the user account that owns that file or folder. At the end of it, clickChange.

Under theSelect User or Groupwindow, choose theAdvancedbutton. Doing this lets you open more advanced settings.

Here, click theFind Nowbuttonto load theSearch results. And under theSearch results, choose your user account. Then, hitOK.

You will then land back on theSelect User or Groupwindow. Once you see your user account, clickOK.

Once more, you will land on an old window. Here, clickOKagain.

Then again, do the same for the last time.

How to GetFullAccess

This is the second part of the process. You may have access to another account already. But you might not use it to make major changes. After all, you’re yet to be its owner.

Only once you’re the owner of a user account, you can getfullaccess.

So here’s how you do this:

Once again, launchFile Explorerand go toProperties. Go to theSecuritytab and open theAdvancedbutton.

UnderPermission entries, clickAdd.

Here, clickSelect a principal.

Again, you will land on theSelect User or Groupwindow. There, openAdvanced.

Load your user account using theFind Nowbutton.Like in the previous process, doing this helps you find your user account.

Once you have eyes on your user account, select it and hitOK.

You will get to familiar windows. Just clickOKuntil you land on a window namedPermission Entry (for file or folder).

UnderBasic permissions, make sure to tick the box that lets you getFull controland hitOK.

SelectApplyto let the changes take effect.

Then, chooseOKto close the window.

Christopher Jan Benitez is a freelance writer for hire who provides actionable and useful web content to small businesses and startups. In his spare time, he religiously watches professional wrestling and finds solace in listening to ’80s speed metal.Read Christopher’s Full Bio

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How to Change Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows#

About the Ownership of Files and Folders#

How to Get Access#

How to GetFullAccess#