How to Add “Take Ownership” to the Right-Click Menu in …

Adding “Take Ownership” to the right-click context menu in Windows allows you to quickly take ownership of files or folders, giving you full control and permissions over them. This can be useful when dealing with system files or folders that require administrative privileges to modify. To add “Take Ownership” to the right-click menu, you’ll need to make changes to the Windows Registry. Here’s how you can do it:

Important Note: Modifying the Windows Registry can potentially cause issues with your system if not done correctly. Before proceeding, it’s essential to create a backup of your registry or create a system restore point as a precautionary measure.

1. Open the Registry Editor:
   • Press “Win + R” on your keyboard to open the Run dialog.
   • Type “regedit” and press “Enter.” This will open the Registry Editor.
2. Navigate to the Key:
   • In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following key:
     HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell

3. Create a New Key:
   • Right-click on the “shell” key, then select “New” > “Key.”
   • Name the new key as “TakeOwnership” (without quotes).
4. Edit the Default Value:
   • Select the “TakeOwnership” key you just created.
   • In the right-side pane, double-click on the “Default” value.
   • In the “Edit String” dialog box, enter the name you want to display in the right-click menu (e.g., “Take Ownership”).
   • Click “OK” to save the changes.
5. Create a New Command Key:
   • Right-click on the “TakeOwnership” key you created in step 3.
   • Select “New” > “Key.”
   • Name the new key as “command” (without quotes).
6. Edit the Command Value:
   • Select the “command” key you just created.
   • In the right-side pane, double-click on the “Default” value.
   • In the “Edit String” dialog box, enter the following command as the value data:
     cmd.exe /c takeown /f "%1" && icacls "%1" /grant administrators:F

   • Click “OK” to save the changes.
7. Close the Registry Editor:
   • Close the Registry Editor window.

After completing these steps, “Take Ownership” should be added to the right-click context menu for files and folders. When you right-click on a file or folder, you’ll see “Take Ownership” in the menu. Selecting it will give you ownership and full control over the selected file or folder.

Please exercise caution while modifying the Windows Registry, as incorrect changes can cause system instability. If you are uncomfortable making these changes yourself, consider using a third-party tool or seeking assistance from a knowledgeable user.