Windows 10: Change Windows Defender Ownership to Local Administrator

Windows Defender is located here: C:\Program Files\Windows Defender


I'm trying to change ownership of Windows Defender folder to local Administrator. It's currently set to TrustedInstaller. I'm currently signed in as local administrator. I right-clicked on Windows Defender folder, click on properties, clicked on Security Tab, clicked on Advanced and click on Change next to Owner. Normally a window would pop up to change the user but when I click on change change just greys out and no window opens to change the user.


I tried running cmd as admin with command I change directory with cd C:\Program Files then ran command takeown /f Windows Defender /r /d y

and get the following error: ERROR: Invalid argument/option - 'Defender'.


I have Windows 10 1909 build. I hope someone can help me!

:)

 

Change local account into administrator

Hi Ankit,

We appreciate you for providing these necessary information. We have another way on how to change your local account user into administrator account. Please follow the steps provided below:

• Press Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
• Click Accounts.
• Click Family & other people.
• Under Other people, select the user account, and click
  Change account type.
• Under Account type, select Administrator from the drop down menu.
• Click OK to complete the task.

Note: If you are using an Administrator account, you could use the same instructions to change the type to a Standard User account.

Let us know in case you encounter an issue while following the steps provided.

 

Local administrator windows 10 user and folder name change (full change)

Hi Shaaddi,

Have you made sure that the account currently logged-in to has Administrator privileges? You can verify this by following these steps:

• Press Windows key + I on your keyboard and click Accounts.
• Click Your info on the left pane.
• Under your account picture, you can see if the account is a Local Admin.

If the account is not an Admin account, we suggest making one and try to transfer the files from there. Here's an
article for a guide on how to create a local user
or admin account in Windows 10.

Update us if the issue is resolved.

 

Administrator change?

Hi,

The first account you created will always be an Administrator account, which allows you to manage your computer. However, when you need to share your computer with family members or friends, by default the accounts are created as Standard User. Now, in order
for you to change administrator, you can follow these steps:

• Click on the Windows icon and navigate to
  Settings.
• Click Accounts, then go Family & other people.
• Look for your account name, then click Change account type, and select
  Administrator from the drop down menu.
• And lastly, click OK to complete the task.

In addition to that, if you're only using a local account, to make the new account as an administrator account, then we suggest that you create a Microsoft account. Kindly refer to this article:
Create a local user or administrator account in Windows 10.

Should you have other queries and concerns, feel free to post back.

***Note: If you think this was useful, you may "mark it as an answer" to help those who are facing the same problem.***