See one of these threads:
DosBox takes over Windows Vista!
Dosbox screwed up my computer - need help!!
Re: I dont know if this is Dosbox's fault or not but...help!!!
<resolved> Dosbox replaced default .exe association

Yeah. Ok. So, no, I'm screwed. I'm still on the first link, and it's diverged 3 times and I have no idea whats going on. I don't have access to another computer, and unfortunately I don't have the admins password. To get it, I'm going to have to explain why I'm asking, then he's just going to take it away and try to fix it himself. Did anyone ever have a beautiful conclusion to this?

Well, "jenkinrocket" fixed his problem with a system restore.

I don't know if Windows 7 has a safe mode (F8 on startup) but I would try editing the registry from there next.

Can anyone tell me how to get the admins password?
My friend is lying in his bed in the next room, been bedridden for 2 weeks. I'm here so he's not alone, and his computer is the only distraction while he sleeps 18 hours a day. I don't want to have to tell him I lost all his movies and pictures by doing a reboot of windows. Any sympathy out there at all?

So restart the computer, hold F8, and then what?

Second link should be the easiest to follow, if you can use regedit at least (admin stuff). Don't know if applying the .reg that Kippesoep posted needs admin rights.

I remember he told me once his laptop didn't come with a windows disc. It has the key on the bottom, but no disc. How would I do a restore?

Would the Vista reg file work with 7?

"I know what you did"

Is that an offer of help?

I was just about to try the reboot in safe mode with that copy of a Vista registry file....
Pretty desperate here.

I totally appreciate ripa and wd's help.

Shut down and restarted in safe mode. Now what? I have even less ability to do anything than I did before.
What an awesome way to start an already horrible week.

What is under

1HKCR\.exe

dude, try to calm down. This is not an insurmountable problem.

check out this link. There's a .reg file specific to Windows 7, with instructions. Hope this helps.

Any input into which "safe mode" I should be in? "Safe" or "Safe with command prompt"" or "Safe with Networking"?

@ Oldbie - I don't know what you are asking, let alone where to find the answer.

I am unable to access the internet from the laptop ever since the shutdown and restart. I'm guessing those are exe. also This is coming from a Google TV, not ideal for surfing and I'm pretty sure beyond my ability to download to.
I feel like a dick, just asking for more everytime someone here offers me a possible route to take. Very rarely have I been in a situation quite like this. Thank you all for your time and patience.

Thank you. All of you. Tomorrow would have been a much bleaker day without all of you taking a little time out of your day to point me in the right direction. VileRancour, that was perfect. I had to get on the desktop, download the zipped folder, figure out a Network for the first time, and sent it over to the laptop. Couple more clicks and everything appears to be back in working order.
I do believe that by myself it would have been insurmountable.

Now that I can laugh about it, does anyone want help me with my original endeavor? Figuring out how to mount Dungeon Keeper, so I can, at last, give this game a try. Saw when it first came out, never had the opportunity till now.

mount d <yourcddriveletter>
mount c <folderyoucreatedfordosgames>