Windows 7: How to access the System32 folder?

How do I access the System32 folder so that i can copy files into it? I need some sort of like super administrative rights or something, because if I try to put files into it it will say access denied.

Right Click on the root of C:\ in Explorer, Properties. Make sure Authenticaed Users, Administrators have full control. Click Advance, and also make sure these account also have full control. While in the Advance section, go to Owner tab, make sure the account u used to log onto the machine with, is listed as the owner.

No matter whoever i set the owner to be it says I need permission to put files into System32 and I only have 3 users in the owner tab. User-PC, User-PC/Administrator, and the trustedinstaller.

firstly,

takeown /f [folder/filepath] /r /d y

then

icacls [folder/filepath] /grant administrators:F /t



Always works

Hello Anpippin,

You do not want to take ownership of the System32 folder. This can cause issues.


Normally while logged in as a administrator you would just need to click on "Continue" and "Yes" after the UAC prompts to copy the files into the C:\Windows\System32 folder.

You cannot copy files from an external or removable source directly into this folder. Instead, they must be copied into a user folder (ex: Desktop) first, then copied/moved from the ex: desktop to the C:\Windows\System32 folder.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Be extremely careful doing this I have seen many people really mess their machine up using these utilities. If you typo and it runs down the whole directory tree you may cause yourself a lot of problems right away or in the future. Many times the only way to recover is to do a clean install.

Oops. True. I should've added a disclaimer that it should only be used a VERY last resort. Such a command is usually used to delete system files.

Yes, it's not a wise move to take ownership of System32 as it is made so for security purposes.

And yes, the command line I posted actually runs down the whole directory tree, subfiles, subfolders and all. >_<