sendto.exe - Unveiling the Windows Send To Context Menu

Category: System-EXE-Files | Date: 2025-03-04

sendto.exe: Unveiling the Windows "Send To" Context Menu

sendto.exe isn't a standalone executable file that you can double-click and run. Instead, it's a symbolic representation, a conceptual placeholder for the functionality behind the "Send To" context menu in Windows Explorer (File Explorer). It's not a single process, but rather a mechanism built into the Windows shell (explorer.exe) that facilitates sending files and folders to various destinations quickly. Therefore, you won't find a physical sendto.exe file in the System32 or SysWOW64 folders. The "Send To" menu itself is populated by shortcuts located in a specific folder.

Origin and Purpose

The "Send To" context menu has been a part of Windows for many versions, providing a convenient way to perform common actions on files and folders without navigating through multiple menus or using command-line operations. Its core purpose is to streamline workflow by offering a quick way to:

  • Copy files/folders: To common destinations like Documents, Desktop, or a compressed (zipped) folder.
  • Move files/folders: Less frequently used for moving, but technically possible by creating shortcuts that move instead of copy.
  • Send to applications: Like a mail client (to create an email attachment), a Bluetooth device, or a specific program that supports drag-and-drop functionality.
  • Create shortcuts: Although not directly a "Send To" item, the desktop is often a destination, effectively creating a shortcut.

Is sendto.exe a Virus?

No, sendto.exe (as a concept) is not a virus. It's an integral part of the Windows operating system. However, like any system feature, it can be indirectly involved in malicious activities, but the problem wouldn't be sendto.exe itself. Here's how:

  • Malicious Shortcuts: The "Send To" folder contains shortcuts (.lnk files). A malicious actor could, in theory, create a shortcut that looks like a legitimate destination (e.g., "Documents") but actually executes a malicious script or program when a file is "sent" to it. This would be a problem with the malicious shortcut, not with the "Send To" mechanism itself.
  • Exploiting Vulnerabilities: If a program listed in the "Send To" menu has a known vulnerability (e.g., a buffer overflow), sending a specially crafted file to that program might trigger the vulnerability. Again, this is a vulnerability in the target application, not in sendto.exe.

Key takeaway: The "Send To" feature itself is safe. The potential risks lie in malicious shortcuts within the "Send To" folder or vulnerabilities in applications linked to the "Send To" menu.

Can sendto.exe Become a Virus?

No, sendto.exe cannot "become" a virus. It's not a file that can be modified or infected. The security considerations mentioned above involve other components, not the core "Send To" functionality.

Customizing the "Send To" Menu (The "How-To" Part)

The power of the "Send To" menu lies in its customizability. You can add, remove, and modify entries to tailor it to your specific workflow. Here's how:

  1. Accessing the "Send To" Folder:

    • The Easy Way (Run Dialog):

      1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
      2. Type shell:sendto and press Enter. This directly opens the "Send To" folder in File Explorer.

    • The Manual Way (Navigating):

      1. Open File Explorer.
      2. Navigate to: C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo
        • Note: AppData is a hidden folder. You may need to enable "Show hidden files, folders, and drives" in File Explorer's View options (View tab -> Options -> Change folder and search options -> View tab).

  2. Adding Items:

    • Shortcuts to Folders: Create a shortcut to any folder you frequently use. Right-click in the "Send To" folder, select "New" -> "Shortcut," and browse to the target folder.
    • Shortcuts to Applications: Create a shortcut to an application's executable file (.exe). This allows you to send files directly to that application (e.g., a specific image editor, text editor, etc.). The application must support receiving files via drag-and-drop or command-line arguments.
    • Batch Files/Scripts: Create a batch file (.bat) or a PowerShell script (.ps1) to perform custom actions on the files sent to it. For example, you could create a batch file to resize images, convert file formats, or upload files to a server. Place the .bat or .ps1 file (or a shortcut to it) in the "Send To" folder.

  3. Removing Items:

    • Simply delete the shortcut from the "Send To" folder. This will remove the corresponding entry from the context menu.

  4. Renaming Items:

    • Rename the shortcut file within the "Send To" folder. The name of the shortcut is what appears in the "Send To" menu.

Example Customizations

  • Adding a "Resize Images" Option:

    1. Create a batch file (e.g., ResizeImages.bat) with the following content (using ImageMagick as an example – you'll need to have ImageMagick installed):

      batch @echo off "C:\Program Files\ImageMagick-7.1.1-Q16-HDRI\magick.exe" mogrify -resize 800x600 %* pause This resizes all images sent to it to a maximum of 800x600 pixels. pause keep command window, for check. * Important Note: Adjust the path to magick.exe to match your ImageMagick installation directory. If you don't have imagemagick, please install it.

    2. Save the batch file.

    3. Create a shortcut to ResizeImages.bat in the "Send To" folder.

  • Adding a "Move to Project Folder" Option:

    1. Create a shortcut to your project folder (e.g., D:\Projects) in the "SendTo" folder.
    2. Right-click on the shortcut and go to "Properties."
    3. Modify target to something like this: %windir%\System32\cmd.exe /c move "%1" "D:\Projects" This uses the move command to move the file or folder instead of copying it.
    4. Rename the shortcut for example: Move to Project Folder.

  • Adding a "Open with Notepad++"

    1. Create a shortcut to your Notepad++ folder (e.g., C:\Program Files\Notepad++\notepad++.exe) in the "SendTo" folder.
    2. Rename the shortcut for example: Open with Notepad++.

Troubleshooting

  • Items not appearing in the "Send To" menu:
    • Make sure the shortcut is directly in the "Send To" folder, not in a subfolder.
    • Refresh File Explorer (press F5).
    • Restart your computer.
  • Shortcuts not working:
    • Verify the target of the shortcut is correct. Double-click the shortcut itself to see if it launches the intended application or folder.
    • If it's a batch file or script, make sure it has execute permissions and that the commands within it are correct. Test the script independently.
  • SendTo menu too long:
    • Delete unnecessary items from the "Send To" folder

Conclusion

sendto.exe (conceptually) is a powerful, yet often overlooked, feature of Windows. By understanding how it works and how to customize it, you can significantly improve your file management workflow. While not a direct security threat, it's crucial to be aware of potential risks associated with malicious shortcuts or vulnerabilities in target applications. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can harness the full potential of the "Send To" menu and make your Windows experience more efficient.