You can add subfolders to the Windows "Send To" context menu by creating a folder structure within the hidden AppData directory and placing shortcuts to your target destinations inside those subfolders. This method leverages Windows Explorer's native ability to parse nested directories in the Send To list, allowing you to organize frequently used locations without third-party tools or registry edits.
Locating the Send To Directory
The "Send To" menu is powered by a specific folder on your local machine. By default, this location is hidden from standard view to prevent accidental modification of system paths. You need to navigate to the user-specific application data folder where these shortcuts are stored.
Open File Explorer and click on the address bar at the top. Type the following path exactly as shown and press Enter:
%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo
This command expands the environment variable
%APPDATA% to your personal roaming profile directory. Once you press Enter, you will see a list of existing shortcuts. These correspond to the items currently visible in your right-click menu. If you do not see any files, ensure that "Hidden items" is enabled in the View tab of File Explorer, although the direct path access usually bypasses visibility settings.
Creating Subfolder Structures
To introduce hierarchy into the menu, you must create folders directly inside the
SendTo directory. Windows Explorer interprets these folders as category headers for the subsequent shortcuts.
Right-click in an empty space within the
SendTo folder and select New > Folder. Name this folder according to the category of destinations it will hold, such as "External Drives" or "Network Locations." You can create multiple folders to group different types of targets. For example, one folder might contain shortcuts to USB drives, while another contains shortcuts to network shares.
It is important to note that the folder name itself does not appear as a selectable destination; it only serves as a visual divider in the context menu. The actual actions are performed by the shortcuts placed inside these folders.
Adding Shortcuts to Subfolders
Now that you have organized your categories, you need to populate them with functional shortcuts. A shortcut is simply a pointer to the original file, folder, or application.
Navigate to the destination you wish to add. For instance, if you want to send files to a specific USB drive, open "This PC" and locate the drive letter. Right-click the drive and select "Create shortcut." If Windows prompts you that the shortcut cannot be created in the current location because it is a root drive, choose to create it on the Desktop instead.
Once the shortcut is created, cut it (Ctrl+X) and paste it (Ctrl+V) into the appropriate subfolder you created in the previous step. Repeat this process for every destination you want to appear in that specific category. You can also drag and drop existing shortcuts from other locations into these subfolders if they already exist elsewhere in your profile.
Verifying the Context Menu
After adding your shortcuts, test the configuration to ensure it works as expected. Open any folder containing files, right-click on a file, and hover over the "Send to" option. You should now see your custom folder names displayed as headers, followed by the shortcuts contained within them.
Clicking a shortcut will immediately send the selected file to the target location. This behavior mirrors the standard "Send to" functionality but offers much greater organization. If you do not see the changes immediately, try restarting File Explorer or logging out and back in to refresh the shell cache.
For users who find the modern context menu cluttered or difficult to navigate, restoring the classic layout can sometimes provide a clearer view of these options. See our guide on how to
Restore Classic Context Menu on Windows 11 Taskbar Applications for more details on simplifying interface interactions.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If your subfolders do not appear, verify that you are editing the correct directory. There is a second
SendTo folder located in the system-wide program data directory, but modifying that affects all users and is generally unnecessary for personal customization. Stick to the user-level path mentioned earlier.
Another common issue is incorrect permissions. Ensure that you have full control over the shortcuts you create. If a shortcut appears grayed out or fails to execute, check the properties of the shortcut to ensure the "Target" path is valid and points to an existing resource. Deleting invalid shortcuts from the subfolders will clean up the menu.
Additionally, some users experience issues with the context menu jumping or loading incorrectly when there are too many entries. While this is rare with simple subfolder structures, excessive plugins can interfere. If you notice performance lag, consider removing unused shortcuts. For more information on optimizing menu performance, refer to our article on
Fixing Incorrect Jumping of Windows Context Menu due to Lazy Loading.
Advanced Customization Tips
You can further refine your setup by using symbolic links instead of standard shortcuts if you need dynamic paths that update automatically. However, for most users, standard shortcuts are sufficient and easier to manage. You can also rename the shortcuts within the subfolders to make them more descriptive, provided you keep the original extension (.lnk).
Remember that the "Send To" feature is strictly for sending files to static destinations. It does not support complex scripts or automated workflows beyond moving the file. If you need advanced automation, consider using PowerShell scripts or dedicated file management tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete the default 'Send to' items?
Yes, you can delete default shortcuts like "Desktop create shortcut" or "Documents" if you never use them. Simply delete the corresponding .lnk file from the main SendTo folder. Be cautious not to delete essential system shortcuts unless you are certain you do not need them.
Will my custom Send To folders survive a Windows update?
Yes, because these shortcuts are stored in your user profile directory, they are preserved during major Windows updates. They may be affected if you perform a clean installation of Windows or reset your user account, so backing up the SendTo folder is recommended before significant system changes.
How do I remove a subfolder from the menu?
To remove a subfolder, simply delete the entire folder from the SendTo directory. All shortcuts contained within that folder will also be deleted. If you want to keep the shortcuts but remove the category, move them back to the main SendTo folder or delete them entirely.
Does this method work on Windows 11?
Yes, the Send To feature functions identically in Windows 11 as it did in Windows 10 and earlier versions. The underlying mechanism relies on the same AppData path, so the steps for creating subfolders and adding shortcuts remain exactly the same.
Can I send folders to these destinations?
Absolutely. The Send To feature works with both individual files and entire folders. When you right-click a folder and select a destination from your custom subfolder, the entire folder structure is copied or moved to the target location, depending on whether you hold down the Shift key.