Deleted explorer.exe file

[BrianC]

Hello -

While trying to clear a virus, I mistakenly deleted the entire folder containing iexplorer.exe on my Windows XP machine. The machine boots fine, but gets to a point where I have my desktop background, but nothing else on the screen - no taskbar, no icons, etc.

Using Task Manager, I can browse my drive, so I know everything is still there, but I cannot get Windows to finish loading everything.

I've removed my hard drive and viewed the files on another machine (can read only b/c it is a MAC) so I know the RECYCLER folder exists on the drive, but for some reason I can't view it on my XP machine. I've tried searching using MS-DOS, which shows that the directory doesn't even exist.

My goal - I want to remove the folder (now named Dc98) from the RECYCLER folder and return it to its original location (or somewhere that Windows can find it and understand). But I can't do this until the machine lets me see the folder.

I would greatly appreciate any advice anyone can offer.

Best,

--Brian

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Boot the computer until you get to the iconless desktop.

Now go here:
http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/topic,16027.0.html

[BrianC]

Thanks, but the problem is a bit more than my taskbar being hidden, etc.

I deleted explorer.exe, so it is not running, and cannot be run from its current location (the recycle bin).

[Broni]

Repair installation: http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/How-to-repair-Windows-XP-t138.html