I followed the these steps found at this link:
http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/OS-Enhancements/UxTheme-Patcher-for-Windows-Vista.shtml

I renamed the uxtheme.dll and the other two files, and now my computer cannot find them, therefore windows explorer doesn't work.
All I can do is use web browsers, IM clients, and other applications but nothing that has to do with actually viewing my files.
Due to not being able to view my files, I cannot name the file what it used to be named either to fix the problem.

Is there anything I can do to restore my system and preserve my saved files? Or do I have to get a new operating system?

PLEASE ASSIST.

Not LiteStep related, but ...

Have you rebooted into safe mode? Press F8 while booting (may need to tap it a few times), then navigate to %windir%\system32. That's where uxtheme.dll is located. Rename it (plus whatever these other 2 files are) back and reboot.

1. if you can access your web browser, why don't you download another file browser like 2xeplorer and use it to rename your files?

2.if you can access the command prompt, then you can rename it from there.

3.if explorer works (not the shell, the other one with the folder with a magnifying glass icon, not a computer) you can also use that.

4.if you can access the task manager, you can click run or new task (not sure what it is called in vista) and click browse to rename the files from there.

Wow, I never thought of any of that. Very nice.
I did a system restore, and that fixed the useless files I had downloaded a few hours before screwing everything up and it fixed the uxtheme.dll issue.
So everything is dandy now. I just held the windows button and hit pause, which brought up a tabbed window in which I could find a system restore button. *shrug*

THank you so much for the help though, you guys are awesome. Its great to know that there is a good place a guy can turn to for help when crisis strikes.
Best of wishes to you guys.

Task manager. I shoulda recommended that one.
Ctrl shift Escape. works everytime.