Q:Is there a way to send a file to a place that isn't listed on my "Send To" menu?

A:If you want to add a place or eliminate an item on the "Send to" menu that you don't use it isn't that hard to do:

1. Right-click your Start Button, Explore.

2. Head to the Windows\Send to\ folder (it's probably just above the folder you landed in when Explorer opened).

Special Note for XP users:

If you're using Windows XP, you'll need to make sure you have your computer set to Show Hidden Files and Folders.You can do this under Explorer by hitting the Tools menu, Folder Options. Next hit the View tab. You'll see an optionfor "Show Hidden Files and Folders" there. Select that and hit OK. You'll be able to see the Send To menu under the Documents and Settings/User Name folder (The User Name is the name you use for your custom settings on XP).

3. To remove items you don't want listed on the menu, just delete them. To add items, just drag their shortcut to the folder (I drag them right from the desktop / taskbar). Note that you want to use your RIGHT mouse button to do this. If you drag with your left mouse button, you may remove the shortcut from it's original location. If you right-click and drag, when you release you get a handy little menu that lets you choose to copy, move, etc. Choose Copy.

As a quick for instance, I didn't have MS Word as an option in my "Send to" menu, so I dragged and dropped its little shortcut icon into the Send to folder. I n*w have the option of sending something to MS Word.

Please note that you can't use this menu to "force" a program to open a particular type of file. If you're trying to make Outlook Express open a DLL file, it just ain't gonna work.

You can also add a folder shortcut to your "Send To" menu,giving you the ability to send files to that folder quickly and easily. I know it's sounds a little complicated, but you'll see what I mean.

1. Right-Click your Start button, Explore.

2. Head to your Windows\Send to\ folder (it's probably just above the folder you're currently in).

Again, if you're using Windows XP, you'll need to make sure you have your computer set to Show Hidden Files and Folders.

3. Use your RIGHT mouse button (yes the right one) to draga folder to your Send To folder.

4. You'll get a menu that will give you several options, including one to create a shortcut. Select that.

That's it. If you would like to send a file to the folder you just created a shortcut to, right-click it and select it from the Send To list.

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Just Shut Down, Will ya?

Have you ever found yourself wishing that Windows wouldn't ask you if you really want to shut down after you've gone to all the trouble of hitting the Start button, then Shut Down? Sure, if you're a wild mouse clicker, maybe that extra little confirmation occasionally saves the day, but what if you just want a quick way to turn the thing off?

Well, as luck would have it, I happen to have a way to make that dream a reality. Using the tips below, you can put icons on your desktop that will shut your computer down, restart it, and more-no ques*tions asked.

In order to keep things inconsistent and confusing, Microsoft decided to change the scripting on this for XP (big surprise there ;-). So, Windows 95/98/ME appears directly below and XP is after that.

Windows 95/98/ME

1. Right cl*ck the Desktop and select New / Shortcut

2. A screen will appear asking you for a Command Line. Here's what you put in that box:

rundll32.exe shell32.dll,SHExitWindowsEx N

Wait-before you hit NEXT, replace the "N" at the end of the command line with one of the following numbers. (Also make sure you have the space between Ex and the number)::

0 - Log Off: Shuts down all running processes and logs the user off.

1 - Shutdown: shuts system down to the point where you can turn off the computer.

2 - Re-boot: shuts the system down and re-boots the computer.

4 - Force: Shuts the system down without notifying any running programs (that really surprises 'em). Informationcan be lost with this one, so be careful. Probably best not to use it unless you have a real need to (like a program that refuses to let go during shutdown)

8 - Power off: Shuts the computer down and turns the power off (on systems that support it).

You can use combinations of the above by adding themtogether. For example, use 6 to re-start (2) the computerforcefully (4).

After you've decided which of the above numbers to use, hit the Next button and give the shortcut an appropriate name. Be forewarned, if you mess with some of the "forced" shut downs it will cause your active desktop to be disabled.

If you're not using XP you can skip this next section, but make sure you ch*ck out the "Final Notes" below.

XP Users:

1. Right cl*ck the Desktop and select New /Shortcut

2. A screen will appear asking you for a Command Line. Here's what you put in that box:

For Shutdown:Shutdown -s -t 0

For Restart:Shutdown -r -t 0

For Log Off:Shutdown -l -t 0

After you've decided which of the above options to use, hit the Next button and give the shortcut an appropriate name.

Final Note:

N*w that you have the nifty little shutdown shortcut on your desktop, you may want to drag it to your taskbar for easier access (and less chance of accidental clickage).