How to Restore Missing “Desktop (create shortcut)” Item in Send To Menu in Windows XP, Vista and 7

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A few people asked solution of this frequently occurring problem, so today I decided to post a simple and detailed solution of this problem.

As we all know about "Send To" menu which appears when we right-click on a file or folder in Windows Explorer. It contains some useful items like "Desktop (create shortcut)" which can create a shortcut of the selected file/folder on Desktop within a few seconds. Its really a useful option.

But sometimes this item gets deleted from "Send To" menu accidentally or intentionally. Following tutorial will help you in restoring this useful item back in "Send To" menu:

METHOD A:

1. Type "shell:sendto" in RUN dialog box and press Enter. It'll open "Send To" folder.

2. Now right-click on blank area in the folder and select "New -> Text document". It'll create a text file with the name "New Text Document.txt". Rename this file and set its name to "Desktop (create shortcut).DeskLink".

3. That's it. Now you'll get "Desktop (create shortcut)" option back in "Send To" menu.

NOTE: Make sure "Hide extensions for known file types" option is disabled in "Folder Options", otherwise the second step might not work and the text file will not convert in desktop shortcut item.

METHOD B:

This method will only work in Windows XP. It'll not work in Vista and 7:

1. Type following command in RUN dialog box:

regsvr32 sendmail.dll

2. It'll re-create the missing "Desktop (create shortcut) option in "Send To" menu.

METHOD C:

This is the simplest method. Just download following zip file, extract it and copy the extracted file to "Send To" folder:

desktop-create-shortcut

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This article was posted by VG in following section: Troubleshooting, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP.

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Paul Gray

thank-you...this was very helpful
method A didn't work for me
Method B did
cheers
Craig

In Windows 7 RTM, the option to right click an Icon, Send to Desktop, in the menu list is missing.
I tried ur 2 methods, still missing, everything else is present
in my Desktop.ini I have this: Desktop (create shortcut).DeskLink=@sendmail.dll,-21
along with the other entries, but the option to send to DESKTOP remains a mystery.

This is a new install and it was there, initially, but w/o using any thirdparty
cleaners except ccleaner ...da dam shit has gone AWOL
heinzy

Thanks. Worked like a charm.
poo

it really works
poo

it really works
Pukeycow

Method A worked perfectly! Thank you - I was beginning to get distressed that I wasn't able to start cluttering up my desktop. :)
mp

Not helpful at all sorry. Need new instructions to make SEND TO button reappear.
mp

Not helpful at all sorry. Need new instructions to make SEND TO button reappear.
Ron

Tried method B "regsvr32 sendmail.dll"
Took 1 second worked perfectly in Win XP
Thanks for the info
samverma

thanks bro the way u made it clear it is very clear and crisp thanks a lot .definitely ur site will go a long way