Take Ownership - Add to Context Menu in Windows 8

How to Add "Take Ownership" to Context Menu in Windows 8 and 8.1​

   Information

This tutorial will show you how to add Take Ownership to the context menu of all files, folders, and drives for all users in Windows 8.

This will allow you to be able to instantly take ownership of a file, folder (and all contents), or drive (and all contents) by changing the owner to the current user and grant the Owner_Rights SID (current owner) full access permission.

You must be an administrator to be able to add, remove, and use the "Take Ownership" context menu.

   Note

Application files (ex: EXE, CMD, MSI) will continue to have Run as administrator instead of Take Ownership in their context menu.

When you right click or press and hold on a file, folder, or drive, and click/tap on Take Ownership, you may be prompted by UAC for permission to do so first.

If a user is signed in as an administrator, then the user would just click/tap on Yes to approve and take ownership. The owner of the file, folder, or drive would be changed to the current administrator user account. Permissions would be set to allow the Owner_Rights SID (current owner) full control of the file, folder, or drive.

If a user is signed in as a standard user, then the user would need to enter a selected administrator's password to approve and take ownership. The owner of the file, folder, or drive would be changed to the selected administrator account, and not the standard user. Permissions would be set to allow the Owner_Rights SID (current owner) full control of the file, folder, or drive.

The Take Ownership context menu will not be available when you right click on the C: drive, C:\Program Files folder, C:\Program Files (x86) folder, C:\ProgramData folder, C:\Users folder, and C:\Windows folder. This was done because taking ownership of these system folders can make Windows unstable since it would also take ownership of all the folder's content at the same time.

You will still be able to use the Take Ownership context menu of files inside the folder locations above.

If you would like to have a custom location(s) of your own to not have the context menu, then please feel free to post a request in this tutorial thread. I'll be happy to post back with a custom .reg file for it.

   Warning

This context menu will only work with English Windows installations.

If you have a different language, then please post a reply with what language you have instead. I'll be happy to post back a translated version for you.

EXAMPLE: Take Ownership in Context Menu




Here's How:

1. Do step 2, 3, or 4 below for what you would like to do.

2. To Add "Take Ownership" to Context Menu

​

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the top, middle, or bottom of context menu file below, and go to step 5 below.​

​

Add_Take_Ownership_to_context_menu.reg​

​

​

3. To Add "Take Ownership" with Pause to Context Menu

   Note

This option pauses the command when you use the "Take Ownership" context menu to be able to see the command results. This can be handy to verify setting ownership and permissions was successful or not.

Application files (ex: EXE, CMD, MSI) will still have Run as administrator instead of Take Ownership in the context menu when you use this step.

​

​

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the top, middle, or bottom of context menu file below, and go to step 5 below.​

​

Add_Take_Ownership_with_Pause_to_context_menu.reg​

​

​

4. To Remove "Take Ownership" from Context Menu

   Note

This is the default setting, and will also restore the default Run as administrator for .exe files.

​

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.​

​

Remove_Take_Ownership_from_context_menu.reg​

​

​

5. Save the .reg file to your Desktop.

6. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

7. If prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

8. When finished, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.


That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Take Ownership of a File, Folder, Drive, or Registry Key in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Allow or Deny Access Permisions to Users and Groups in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Allow or Prevent Users and Groups to be able to Take Ownership
• How to Add Reset Permissions to Context Menu in Windows
• Enable or Disable Inherited Permissions for Files and Folders in Windows

 

[PrincessIchaIND]

It also made ​​me confused, the picture was Describes Path cmd.exe
C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe, Have taken ownership I just thought that part of this Script

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\runas] @="Take Ownership" "HasLUAShield"="" "NoWorkingDirectory"=""  [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\runas\command] @="cmd.exe /c takeown /f \"%1\" && icacls \"%1\" /grant administrators:F" "IsolatedCommand"="cmd.exe /c takeown /f \"%1\" && icacls \"%1\" /grant administrators:F && pause"

Will takeown All File .exe





If you do not understand Once again I'm sorry if it makes you more confused

 

[Brink]

If you are asking what it does, it will take ownership of only that specific .exe file that you right click on, and click on "Take Ownership".

 

[mmmelaney]

Hello and thanks for the scripts. I have a question and a contribution.

When I was messing around with my Appdata folder (for an offline Win8.1 installation,) and I took ownership, for some reason it wasn't working on a majority of the folder. In addition, the Pause option did not work either so I couldn't get any details. It ran for long enough to let me know it changed something but not nearly the time this folder requires (3-5 seconds.)

I removed the HasLUAShield value, and the command worked as I expected (running for 10+ minutes.) (And, yes, I did want it to follow my junctions.)

I replaced HasLUAShield and it seems to work perfectly on everything else I've tried, including drivers in system32. Is this perameter for elevated rights? Why do you think it wouldn't run on the offline appdata folder?


If it matters, I used the /a /c /l and /q options (see next post.)

____________________________________
Win7x64 Ultimate/Win8.1x64 Pro - Admin:No UAC

 

[Brink]

Hello Melaney,

The HasLUAShield value is just to add the UAC shield on the icon. It's only cosmetic, and serves for no other function.

By default, you (the account the AppData is for) and Administrators should already be the owner of AppData and it's contents.

Did the command prompt not pause using step 4, and just closed when finished? If it got an error or you pressed a key by mistake it may have closed it.

 

[mmmelaney]

Hi,


"Grant Admin Ownership": This is a modified version of Take Ownership. I added an icon, and it only shows up when you Shift+right click on your target. It's attached here for anyone to use/modify.

It gives ownership to the Administrators Group instead of the current user in order to clean up the nasty little problems that creep up from changing ownership on the same set of files from many locations (i.e. your personal files.)

What's nice about this is that you are the owner of the files no matter where you log in from. It's also nice for system files because it reduces the the potential for causing conflicts. However, I could see Microsoft screaming about the possible security holes with system files being owned by ALL Administrators in a system. Personally, I don't worry about stuff like that. It's like locking your bathroom before going to sleep so a burglar doesn't hide there. You'll regret it when you smack your nose on the door at 3a.m!

***Update: This command will replace Shawn's tweak if you're running in a normal account. It will not conflict or replace his command if you're running in the Hidden Administrator account. So use my attachments below for Normal Accounts, or Hidden Administrator accounts as labeled. (see Sawn's post for discussion.)

*Update: Attached my "Take Ownership" command which has an added icon, and the Shift+Right Click option. There is one for Normal Accounts and one for Hidden Administrator account.

Hope it's handy. Let me know what you think.

DOWNLOAD:​

Hidden Administrator accounts. Download Both
View attachment Grant Admin Ownership.reg (for hidden Administrator Account)
View attachment Take ownership - for Hidden Administrator Account.reg

Normal Accounts (Administrator or Standard) Pick one
View attachment Take ownership - for normal accounts.reg

or​

This is the one you probably want --->View attachment Grant Admin Ownership + Restore .exe files - for Normal Accounts.reg

 

[Brink]

Yeah, Administrators group would be better. I'll update now.

The runas2 with .exe files don't work. I've only had them work if it used runas and replaced "Run as administrator" though.

 

[mmmelaney]

Did you actually apply my reg script and try it? I tested it on Win7x64 and Win8.1.1x64. I will say that my "Run As Admin" is not extended though. Not sure if that's the key. I am also running in the hidden Administrator profile on both OS's. Shouldn't make a difference I would think.

 

[Brink]

The runas2 for .exe files will work if you are signed in to built-in elevated "Administrator" account. It being an elevated account is why it worked in it, and no other account.

It won't work in any other account though. I tested it on an .exe in the Program Files folder that is owned by System, and it didn't change the owner while signed in to a normal administrator account.

 

[mmmelaney]

You're quick!

I see then. I guess I will add an update to my post about the admin account.

This, by the way, is one of the reasons I always "steal" the Administrator account and make my own. UAC in Win8 is like Mary Poppins on crack!

 

[Brink]

Nar, not fast. It was the same since Vista, but I just double checked in Windows 8.1 Update to make sure nothing had changed.

 

[mmmelaney]

"Grant Admin Ownership":

Updated my post to include the attachments. See next post.

 

[Brink]

 

[mmmelaney]

Hi,


"Grant Admin Ownership": This is a modified version of Take Ownership. I added an icon, and it only shows up when you Shift+right click on your target. It's attached here for anyone to use/modify.

It gives ownership to the Administrators Group instead of the current user in order to clean up the nasty little problems that creep up from changing ownership on the same set of files from many locations (i.e. your personal files.)

What's nice about this is that you are the owner of the files no matter where you log in from. It's also nice for system files because it reduces the the potential for causing conflicts. However, I could see Microsoft screaming about the possible security holes with system files being owned by ALL Administrators in a system. Personally, I don't worry about stuff like that. It's like locking your bathroom before going to sleep so a burglar doesn't hide there. You'll regret it when you smack your nose on the door at 3a.m!

***Update: This command will replace Shawn's tweak if you're running in a normal account. It will not conflict or replace his command if you're running in the Hidden Administrator account. So use my attachments below for Normal Accounts, or Hidden Administrator accounts as labeled. (see Sawn's post for discussion.)

*Update: Attached my "Take Ownership" command which has an added icon, and the Shift+Right Click option. There is one for Normal Accounts and one for Hidden Administrator account.

Hope it's handy. Let me know what you think.

DOWNLOAD:​

Hidden Administrator accounts. Download Both
Grant Admin Ownership.reg View attachment 42342 (for hidden Administrator Account)
Take ownership - for Hidden Administrator Account.reg View attachment 42343

Normal Accounts (Administrator or Standard) Pick one
Take ownership - for normal accounts.reg View attachment 42341

or​

Grant Admin Ownership + Restore .exe files - for Normal Accounts.regView attachment 42337

OR see post here

Updated again to add attachments for Normal and Hidden Administrator accounts. Also added my version of Take Ownership as companions to "Grant Admin Ownership". Also renamed "Grant Admin Ownership."

 

[RTCook]

Hey everyone,

New to Windows 8, was putting it off for as long as I could until my Windows 7 installs couldn't take it anymore. I currently have 2 SSD's and 2 HDD's, Windows 8 is "solitary" on one of the SSD's while the other is for all my programs. The HDD's are for games/media/raw files/etc.

My problem is my Programs SSD is not allowing me to take ownership of it, or change anything in it at all (Install, Paste items, Change names, etc). I used your reg script, and it failed sadly, I have also tried to manually take ownership of the drive using the Properties > Security > Advanced > Change method and I keep getting a "Failed to enumerate objects in the container.." error on EVERY file it runs across.

I know for a fact I have Administrator rights, I double checked by making a new account as an admin and getting rid of the other. I have disabled and renabled UAC (not that it matters, gotta cover your bases though I guess), watched numerous videos on the subject, and tried numerous methods and I still cannot get access back to that drive. I was able to install a handful of applications to it before it locked itself down, and it almost always seemed to be after I installed Panda Global Protection 2014. I'm not away of any option in that application that would block access from anything honestly so I'm at a complete loss here now.

I have had my dad look at it who has worked AEDC (Arnold Airforce Base) as Computer Tech and Security Lead for over 20 years and he doesn't know what else to do either. I'm more of a hardware guy when it comes to computers so this is rough territory for me more or less. If there is anymore info needed on this, please let me know, and thanks in advance for any help!

 

[Brink]

Hello RTCook, and welcome to Eight Forums.

Is the drive encrypted with BitLocker?

Are you able to successfully take ownership and grant permission for a single file or folder on the driver?

In the list of users and groups for permissions of the drive, double check to make sure that it has "Everyone" listed with "Full control" checked for it.

In "Advanced" security properties, check the "Replace owner on subcontainers and objects" and "Replace all child object permission entries with inheritable permission entries from this object" box to have permissions applied to all contents of the drive.

Hope this helps for now,
Shawn

 

[RTCook]

Drive isn't encrypted at all, have reformatted it twice to make sure nothing was left over from my 7 install.

No I'm not able to take ownership of anything in the drive, I keep getting the error I was talking about earlier. And with the Script, it does nothing, all the files and folders still retain the "SYSTEM" Ownership. When I try to install anything on the drive I get a "Error Writing to file ***" message and I have to cancel the install.

In the Advance permissions group it has SYSTEM and Admins (Rob_PC\Admins) with Full Control, I can't add anyone else or change anyone elses because of the "Failed to enumerate..." error message and says Access Denied. And as stated before I can't change anything in the Advanced tab because of the same "Failed to enumerate..." message on every file to an eventual "Access is Denied." message from the drive itself. I've tried the method with the "takeown /f /r /d y" > "icacls /grant administrators:F /T" commands in elevated CMD console and still no use (obv what your script is doing).

I'm running out of ideas and options , I haven't tried running Steam or any other program on my actual HDD's to see if they have the same problem. But I know getting a new background out of my Wallpaper folder on my 2Tb drive asked for Administrator privileges.

 

[Brink]

In that case, see if you are able to format the drive with FAT32 instead of NTFS to not have any access permission restrictions anymore.

If you need anything off of the drive first, then you might see if you may be able to use a live Peppermint disc to recover copy anything to another location.

Peppermint3 - Create Live CD/DVD/USB To Use For Emergency Backup - Windows 7 Help Forums

 

[RTCook]

Would that not hinder the performance of the SSD I plan to put all my applications and work software on (Adobe CC, VS, UE4, Unity, etc)? There is only about 6 applications installed on that drive including my Security Suite, so there isn't anything major I need to backup if I want to reformat. Would I be able to format the drive to exFAT which has much better performance than the old FAT32 in Read/Write cycles?

I haven't had much to do with FAT32 other than external drives using it, and have been building computers for around 12 years now and have always stuck to NTFS for it's safety and performance. I just know FAT32 has it's limits from what I can remember (no bueno for files larger than 4Gb).

 

[Brink]

Sure you could format it with exFAT as well if the 4GB file size limit would be an issue.

 

[RTCook]

I'm no expert on exFAT, does it have no security limits like FAT32? And not home atm, is exFAT an option for formatting?