takeown

Windows CMD · Files · reference only

What it does

Takes ownership of a file or folder, so you can then change its permissions when the current owner does not let you in.

Syntax

takeown /f ruta [opciones]

Options and parameters

• /f ruta

  File or folder to take; wildcards are accepted.

• /a

  Gives ownership to the Administrators group instead of the current user.

• /r

  Acts recursively on the folder's content.

• /d respuesta

  Default answer if it has to ask about permission to list a folder; Y or N, or S in Spanish Windows.

• /s equipo

  Remote computer to act on.

Usage examples

• takeown /f archivo.txt

  Makes you the owner of the file.

• takeown /f C:\Datos /r /d S

  Takes ownership of the folder and all its content.

• takeown /f C:\Datos /a /r /d S

  Gives ownership to the Administrators group.

• icacls archivo.txt /grant %USERNAME%:F

  After takeown, grants full control to the current user.

Notes and common mistakes

• It must run in a console with administrator rights.
• Changing ownership of system files can cause problems: use it only on your own data.

Related commands

• assoc
• attrib
• cipher
• compact
• copy
• del