Context Menu - Take Ownership

Mine is a batch file and changed then file extension to "ba1" when I send to my friend, So my friend need to rename it to "bat" in order to activate it, but system not allows. I even tried to rename a text file to its extension to "tx1" but also failed to do so.

Peong,

Can you right click on the BAT file and click Send To and Compressed (zipped) Folder, then send the ZIP file instead? This way your friend will just need to extract it instead without renaming.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

New idea, I will try out. Thanks!

Yes, but I need to allow the Windows Mail to save or open the potential virus attachment...
Well, my problem can be solved this way, but I still wondering how come the above resolution still cannot rename a file extension? Is there a way that Microsoft gives to a expert user to do so?

Peong,

I'm glad to hear that the ZIP file method will work for you.

The message you get of "If you change a file extension, the file may become unusable." is normal when you change (rename) a file extension. You just have to answer Yes to it to allow it. Your friend should save the attachment to the desktop first. Next, right click on the file and click Properties, then check to see if there is a Unblock button there. If there is, then click on it to unblock the file. Now see if the file extension can be renamed back to what it should be.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Hi Brink, I learnt something new today! Thanks, I'm now able to execute the file. BTW, since vista allows user to rename the file extension, then why we are still discussing about Take_Ownership of the file, etc. Initially, I thought that I need to take ownership first before I rename, end up I cannot find the Unlock button in its file properties, when I executed it I got this message: "Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You may not have the approprite permissions to access the item". Can I say that, to change the Registry key for taking ownership of the particular file is actually unnecessary since vista has allows user to rename.

Peong,

I would yes, it's not necessary at all. Usually you will only need to take ownership of a item with your user account instead to be able to change the access permission levels for that item. If you already have permission and able to do what you want, then there is no need to do it.

I'm happy to hear that you got it all sorted out now.

Shawn

Thanks Shawn, all doubts cleared! I'm glad to join in this useful website. Good bye!

Hi,
I'm having a problem after downloading the .reg file to the desktop. When I right click the file and then click MERGE, the Security Warning pop-up appears as you have indicated. But when I click the RUN button on it, the file opens in Notepad rather than proceeding to your steps 6 and 7. Any suggestions?

Also, what is a UAC prompt that you refer to? As you can tell, I'm pretty new at this.

Hi RaynFay,

It sounds like the .reg file extension was associated to open with Notepad by mistake. In Method Two of this tutorial, set the Current Default program for the .reg file Extension to use the default Registry Editor (C:\Windows\regedit.exe) instead. Afterwards, try running it again.

Default Programs

Hope this helps,
Shawn