Programs that open exe files

Hello,
I was cleaning up my computer the other day and uninstalled one too many programs. I realized that I needed whatever program I deleted to open exe files but Im not sure what program it was and what I need to do to get my exe.s working again. Also whenever I try to open an exe a little thing pops up and says I need to choose what program to open it with, but it gives me only a choice for adobe reader and that does not work.