FAQ
TL;DR: Fix “Send to > Mail recipient” via a 4-step SendTo shortcut or by setting Outlook as default. "Location of the element: 'C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office14\OUTLOOK.EXE' /a." This restores attach-from-Explorer using Outlook. [Elektroda, tomiok, post #17121097]
Why it matters: It restores right‑click → Send to workflows for Windows users and admins moving files into Outlook fast.
Quick Facts
- SendTo folder (Win7/10): C:\Users\<User>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo. Create your Outlook shortcut here. [Elektroda, tomiok, post #17121097]
- Set default mail app: Control Panel → Programs → Default Programs → Set Default Programs → Outlook. [Elektroda, tomiok, post #17121076]
- OS context in this thread: Windows 7 and Windows 10. [Elektroda, terry1996, post #17118272]
- Windows 7 ships with Windows Live Mail; Windows 10 ships with Mail. “There is no Outlook 6 there.” [Elektroda, tomiok, post #17123638]
- Outlook switch “/a” opens a new message with the specified file attached. [“Outlook command-line switches”]
How do I fix “Send to > Mail recipient” not opening Outlook?
Set Outlook as the default mail client. Go to Control Panel → Programs → Default Programs → Set Default Programs. Select Microsoft Outlook and set all defaults. Close Control Panel, then retry right‑click → Send to → Mail recipient on a file. This rebinds the Windows handler to Outlook. [Elektroda, tomiok, post #17121076]
Can I force “Send to” to use Outlook with a custom shortcut?
Yes—add an Outlook shortcut in the SendTo folder.
- Open C:\Users\\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo.
- Create New → Shortcut to OUTLOOK.EXE with the /a switch.
- Name it “Send to Outlook” and use it from SendTo.
“Location of the element: "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office14\OUTLOOK.EXE" /a.” [Elektroda, tomiok, post #17121097]
Default Programs is set, but nothing happens—what next?
Repair the mail registration. If you see “No default mail client,” repair Office or reassign the default mail app. Re-registering the mail client fixes SendTo when MAPI is broken. After repair, open Outlook once, then test SendTo again from Explorer. [“'No default mail client' error when you send e-mail”]
Where is the Windows SendTo folder I need to edit?
Use this path on Windows 7/10: C:\Users\\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo. Open it from Explorer or via shell:sendto in the Run dialog. Place your Outlook shortcut here so it appears under right‑click → Send to. [Elektroda, tomiok, post #17121097]
Does Outlook Express 6 work on Windows 7 or Windows 10?
No. Windows 7 includes Windows Live Mail, and Windows 10 includes Mail. “There is no Outlook 6 there.” Use Outlook, Windows Live Mail (legacy), or Mail, not Outlook Express 6 or clones. [Elektroda, tomiok, post #17123638]
How do I attach a file to a new Outlook message via command line?
Use the Outlook /a switch with OUTLOOK.EXE. It opens a new message with the specified file attached. “Creates an item with the specified file as an attachment.” This method attaches one file; add more from the compose window. [“Outlook command-line switches”]
Why did “Send to” work in Thunderbird but break after switching to Outlook?
Each mail client registers as the default MAPI handler. After uninstalling or switching, Windows may still point to the old handler. Set Outlook as the default email program and retry SendTo to rebind the association. [“Change the default e-mail program to Outlook”]
What Outlook versions does the shortcut method work with?
The method uses OUTLOOK.EXE with supported command-line switches. Paths vary by version (example: Office14 for Outlook 2010). Update the path to your installed Office folder and keep the /a switch. [“Outlook command-line switches”]
How do I create or check my Outlook profile if SendTo still fails?
Open Control Panel → Mail → Show Profiles. Click Add to create a new profile, then set it as default. Start Outlook once to complete setup before using SendTo from Explorer. Profiles are required for Outlook to send. [“Create an Outlook profile”]
I’m on Windows 7/10 but see “Outlook 6.” What does that mean?
It likely refers to Outlook Express 6, which isn’t in Windows 7/10. Windows 7 had Windows Live Mail, and Windows 10 has Mail. Use supported clients like Outlook instead. [Elektroda, tomiok, post #17123638]
Can I keep both “Mail recipient” and a “Send to Outlook” option?
Yes. Add a new shortcut named “Send to Outlook” in the SendTo folder. You can also delete the default “Mail recipient” entry and replace it with your Outlook shortcut if you prefer. [Elektroda, tomiok, post #17121097]
The thread ends with success—what likely resolved it?
The OP confirmed the issue was resolved after applying shared fixes. In practice, setting Outlook as default and adding the OUTLOOK.EXE /a SendTo shortcut are the key steps that restore functionality. [Elektroda, terry1996, post #17128940]
