You should most likely have downloaded the .iso file, not the .wim. If you install the .wim then the only way you can recover is to do a Clean Install of Win 7. If you use the .iso then you can install to another partition or drive, setting up a dual boot.
Windows 8 Consumer Preview: frequently asked questions Quote:
Once Windows 8 Consumer Preview is downloaded, you choose how and when to install it. You can install on the current drive or you can make an ISO or bootable flash drive for installing Windows 8 Consumer Preview on another partition, virtual machine, or another PC (requires Windows Vista or Windows 7).
Edit: Sorry, I didn't answer your question. Do you have
Hidden files being shown? Also, the file you downloaded should have been
Windows8-ConsumerPreview-setup.exe. Did you delete that as well? When you ran it, is that when C:/WindowsESD was created?
Edit#2: I see now the .exe is only the download front end, sorry.
Edit#3: I'm downloading it now to see what it leaves. Hope to have more info in a little while.