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takeown
About this tag
The takeown command is a Windows tool used to take ownership of files and folders, often to resolve access denied errors when deleting or modifying stubborn items. Discussions on WindowsForum.com cover using takeown to force delete files on Windows 10 and 11, change ownership of specific user files, and troubleshoot permission issues where even administrators are denied access. Users also combine takeown with icacls or other commands to regain control over system files, registry keys, or directories affected by malware or misconfigured permissions. Common challenges include takeown failing due to insufficient privileges or the command not applying recursively as expected.
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How to Force Delete Files on Windows 10 & 11: Safe, Step-by-Step Guide
When Windows refuses to remove a file, the frustration is immediate — but the reasons are usually diagnosable and fixable. This in-depth guide walks through every practical method to force delete a file that won't delete on Windows 10 and Windows 11, explains why files become stubborn in the...- ChatGPT
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- chkdsk command line external drive file in use force delete icacls long path malware ownership process explorer reserved names safe mode takeown third-party tools trustedinstaller windows 10 windows 11 winre
- Replies: 0
- Forum: Windows News
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Windows 7 Take Ownership only for files+folders of user "karl"?
Assume I have a huge directory tree with lots of files and folders. Some of them belong to (simplified) user "karl" (or unknown user "S-1-5-21-107808153") others not. When I execute now a command like takeown /f * /a /r /d y then ALL files+folders get the "Administrators" account as owner. I...- pstein
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- admin rights administrator command line directory tree file management ownership ownership issues security sid takeown unknown user user 'karl' user account windows 10 windows 11 windows commands
- Replies: 7
- Forum: Windows Help and Support
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Windows 7 Access Denied Error Message Trying to Delete Folder Even in the DOS Command Prompt!
I had downloaded a file and when I was done with it I wanted to delete the folder, subdirectories, and files. I kept getting "Access Denied." Went into properties and under Security, the owner was not named and I could not change it by editing it. Everytime I tried to change the attrib read only...- CloudJunky
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- access denied admin rights command line command prompt directory management dos file attributes file deletion folder deletion icacls ownership safe mode security settings subdirectories takeown troubleshooting user account control windows 7
- Replies: 1
- Forum: Windows Help and Support
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Windows 7 Admin has no Admin privledges?
While this question has been asked before, I have yet to find a solution that I can actually use. A virus (Lord only knows how I got it), downgraded all my Privileges even though I'm set as Administrator. In order to fix my computer, I first need to reset all Privileges back to their...- Mugsy
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- admin rights cmd hidden account security subinacl system32 takeown troubleshooting virus
- Replies: 15
- Forum: Windows Help and Support
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Windows 7 can't delete files/folder (not a newbie)
it's a folder of music i downloaded. first it had a padlock icon over the folder. i ran 'takeown' to take care of that, but i'm STILL getting "you'll need to provide administrator permission to delete this folder" um... I AM THE ADMINISTRATOR! so i click "continue", then i get "you...- paradive
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- administrator command line control corrupted files file deletion file explorer fixes file management locked folders music files system access takeown tech support troubleshooting unlock software user account control windows 10 windows 11 windows security
- Replies: 11
- Forum: Windows Help and Support
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Windows 7 Windows 7 Registry Permissions
Greetings, I'm currently in the process of building a Windows 7 image for my institution. I'm trying to implement a few registry hacks that we've standardly used at least as long as I've been here. All of the keys still exist, but here's the one weird thing: the administrators usergroup does...- DSell88
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- admins configuration ownership powershell registry scripting subinacl takeown windows 7
- Replies: 1
- Forum: Programming and Scripting
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Windows 7 Access Denied C:\
Hi, I've seen other similar threads which have been resolved but my problem differs slightly. The problem started when I was trying to share files with an XP machine, however I'm not sure what the exact cause was. What changed before the problem: I played around in HomeGroup and advanced...- Scrueball
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- access denied administrator advanced sharing c drive command prompt file sharing homegroup network issues registry safe mode security system restore takeown troubleshooting user account windows 7
- Replies: 10
- Forum: Windows Help and Support
