Solved Accidently Deleted My shortcut to install Windows 8

[yanniclord]

Ok heres the problem: i downloaded the preview version of Windows 8. But then i dont wanna install it and picked: Install Later after download. The Program made a shortcut so i can install Windows 8 later. But then i accidently deleted the shortcut. How to get it back? (And its not in the Recycle Bin either). I have the files in my directory C:/WindowsESD/ but there is no install file just the install.wim and boot files and other things. And i dont wanna download windows 8 preview again. Takes long time! Have anyone still the shortcut. Just upload it i know how to use it.

 

[Ztruker]

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

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.

 

[Ztruker]

Had to let it download overnight. The options the download showered were:

Install now
Install to other disk
Install later

I believe the Install to other disk creates a .iso file you can burn to DVD.

The desktop shortcut has this in it for me:
Target: C:\Users\xxxxxxxx\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WebSetup\Sources\WebSetup.exe /late elevate
Start In: C:\Users\xxxxxxxx\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WebSetup\Sources