The default option on a Windows 11/10 computer is to Locks Files and Folders to the User that originally created them. Apart from the Admin, no one else is allowed to move, copy or edit Files or Folders created by other Users.
However, Windows operating system also provides the option to change or transfer the ownership of files and folder to other user accounts, which in-turn allows you to open, view and edit files located in other User Accounts.
Change Ownership of File or Folder in Windows
If you find the need to access files located in another user account, you can find below the steps to change or transfer file ownership on a Windows 11/10 computer.
Change Ownership of File or Folder in Windows 11/10
Follow the steps below to change ownership of any File or Folder on your Windows computer.
1. Open the File Explorer on your computer.
2. On the File Explorer screen, navigate to the location of the Folder > Right click on the File/Folder and click on Properties.
3. On File/Folder Properties screen, click on Security Tab and then click on the Advanced button.
4. On Advanced Security Settings screen, click on the Change option located next to the Owner entry.
5. On Select User or Group window, click on the Advanced button.
6. Next, click on Find Now button to bring up the list of all Users and Groups on your computer.
7. From the list of Users and Groups, select the User that you want to transfer the ownership of the File/Folder and click on the OK button.
8. After the User is selected, click on the OK button.
9. On Advanced Security Settings screen, you will see the New Owner listed. The next, step is to transfer ownership of files and sub-folders within the folder.
To do so, select Replace owner on subcontainers and objects and Replace all child permission entries with inheritable permission entries from the object options.
10. Click on Apply and OK to save the changes and exit the window.
After completing above steps, the ownership of the Folder including all Files and Sub-folders located within that Folder will be transferred to the new owner.
In case required, you can go back to Advanced Security Settings and remove the old owner. This will ensure that only the newly assigned User has access to this Folder.