Take Ownership of Drives, Files & Folders in Windows 8

There are times when we need access to system files and folders. Even though, being  an Administrator, you do not have rights to modify these files as these system files are protected by Windows System itself. Well the reason of this protection is pretty obvious. Windows doesn’t want anyone to corrupt important system files.

Still the fact remains same that if you need to have access to system files for tasks like modding themes or moving default windows 8 apps then you need to have it. Here we will be discussing two methods to get access to windows 8 system files.

The first method is a using a 3rd party portable freeware named Take Ownership. We have already discussed about this application as it also works with Windows 7. So we will be taking a brief look at it again.

Take Ownership

This is a very small app with basically no user interface and the most easiest I have ever used. Take Ownership integrates with context menu. What you need to do is right click on the folder/ file you need to get permission and click on Take Ownership. There is no installation .exe file, all you need to do is run the registry file provided to install and uninstall it. This app works with both Windows Vista, Windows 7 & 8 32 bit and 64 bit OS. To know more about this application and download it, visit the below link.

Download: Take Ownership

While you can take ownership of any file and folder with Take Ownership but you cannot directly take ownership of a complete drive. In Windows 8, the manual method of taking ownership differs a bit from Windows 7.

Take File Ownership in Windows 8 Manually

This method can be applied to any file, folder or drive. Just follow the steps as given below:

• Select the Drive ( you can select files and folders according to your wish). Right click on it and go to properties.
• Select the Security Tab.
• Click on the Advance Button at bottom.

• When the advanced security window opens you will see the Owner option with a different name or with System ownership depending on drive, file/ folder.
• Now click on Change link and change the user name.
• Just type your user name and click on Check Names. Your username will automatically appear, select it.

• Once your user name appears, click ok. Check to replace ownership on sub containers and objects.

Once you are done with taking over drive/ file/ folder you can check the special permission to edit the rights you have on the selected item.