We here at AskVG post various themes, skins and other customization stuff which require you to replace or modify existing system files in Windows. You need to take ownership of that file or folder before modifying or replacing it.

We always suggest you to use take the ownership automatically using following context menu option method:

How to Add "Take Ownership" Option to File or Folder Context Menu in Windows

But sometime people complain that they are unable to take ownership of the file and we suggest them to take the ownership manually.

Since taking the ownership manually is a bit complicated task, today we are going to post a detailed guide with screenshots which will help you in taking ownership and granting full permission and control to yourself on a file or folder in Windows.

So without wasting time, here are the required steps:

1. Go to the folder which contains the file or folder on which you want to take ownership. Right-click on the file or folder and select Properties.

2. It'll open its Properties window. Now go to "Security" tab and select your username from the given list. You'll see that it doesn't have full control.

3. Click on "Advanced" button and it'll open a new window.

For Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7:

Go to "Owner" tab. You'll see that the owner would be set to "TrustedInstaller".

Click on "Edit" button, select your username given in "Change owner to" section and click on "Apply" button. It'll ask for confirmation, click on OK button.

If you are not a Windows 8 or later OS user, jump to Step 4.

For Windows 8/8.1, Windows 10 and later:

Click on "Change" button near "TrustedInstaller" as shown in following image:

It'll open new dialog box. Now type your username and click on "Check Names" button. It'll automatically convert the username to correct format.

Now click on OK button.

4. Exit from both Ownership dialog boxes and come to the first Properties window again. Now select your username again and click on "Edit" button. It'll open a new window:

Select your username and click on "Allow" checkbox given for "Full control" option. Click on "Apply" button and then OK. It'll ask for confirmation, click on Yes button.

5. That's it. Now you'll have full permission on the file or folder.

Now you can modify or replace it without any problem. Before doing anything, first take a backup of the file by renaming it to some other name.

Also check:

[Guide] How to Restore "TrustedInstaller" as Default Owner of a File or Folder in Windows?

[Guide] How to Take Ownership (Permission) of a Registry Key in Windows?