Share via

Windows 11 not letting administrator take ownership of folders after move.

Marvw 0 Reputation points
2025-09-17T12:31:18.28+00:00

My windows 11 Pro system will not let me take ownership of folders. Has them "all" marked read only and I can't change it. even as administrator.
All network sharing is turned on in defender.
Keep getting access denied.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Files, folders, and storage

3 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Marvw 0 Reputation points
    2025-09-19T16:10:14.2166667+00:00

    I finally just reset back to MSI factory, then installed everything again and problem gone.
    The big issue was PcMover, I wouldn't recommend it.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. IGYQ 19,280 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-09-19T07:17:50.01+00:00

    Do a test, move a random folder without using PCMover. You can Copy and paste the folder to a USB drive then transfer it to your Windows11 system and open it, it should open without errors.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. IGYQ 19,280 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-09-17T13:29:26.5766667+00:00

    Hi!

    One key factor is you moved the files using PCmover. When you used PCmover, it preserved ACLs (Access Control Lists) from your old system. That means your current Windows account may not actually own the files, even if you’re an Administrator.

    Can I ask where is the old system (where the files came from)?

    Here are the steps on how to get the ownership of the files/folders.

    Step 1: Open Command Prompt (Run as Administrator) and run:

    takeown /F "D:\YourFolder" /R /D Y

    icacls "D:\YourFolder" /grant Administrators:F /T

    • Replace D:\YourFolder with the path.
    • This recursively takes ownership and grants full control to Administrators.
    • If your user is not in Administrators, also run:

    icacls "D:\YourFolder" /grant YourUsername:F /T

    • Replace D:\YourFolder

    Was this answer helpful?

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.