If you have installed windows 8 and if you are missing your program/application shortcuts on windows 8 desktop then you can follow below steps for the same.
Here we will create shortcut for Microsoft word and other Microsoft programs.
Note - You need to install Microsoft office suite, you can install any of its version after 2007.

1 > Once installed Microsoft office programs will appear far right on your Metro UI :



2 > Now right click on the program you want and click on “Open file location” below. In below image I have explained the same thing with Microsoft word.



3 > Once you click on “Open file location” you will get a new window displaying the program location.



4 > Now right click on the program and click on “Send to” and then “Desktop (Create shortcut”



5 > Once done you will see the program shortcut on our desktop.