[imnuts]

Did you delete the actual EXE file for file explorer? If so, I find that hard to believe. Given where you were, it sounds like you just deleted the shortcut to file explorer. If that's the case, it's simple to get back. Just use Total Commander or Resco, go to the \Windows folder and find the file explorer executable (fexplore.exe?) and make a shortcut of it back in the \Windows\Start Menu folder.