You can only transfer ownership of Google files and folders
https://support.google.com/drive/answer/2494892
Due to this quote, as shown in to How can I transfer ownership of a file in Google Drive that isn't part of Docs? in the past there was no option to attempt transfering ownership of non Google files (PDF, etc.).
However, these days there is. But if you try to use it, it just fails with a "You can't change the owner of this item" message:
What is the logic behind this? Is there any way to bypass this error and transfer such an ownership?
Best Answer
It will be very annoying for a remote tech support to hear that the user CANNOT find an option that is supposed to be right there. In its absence, the user may end up - keep on searching for it; thinking perhaps it's hidden somewhere else...
I think the option's entry should remain there; however it could be grayed out, and should though: display the failure prompt soon after it's selected, instead of waiting for the user to finish entering an email address.