I deleted some important files and then emptied the recycle bin.

>>256188
>>256188
use others
i cant remember which i use at work but i always get data (upto 8 - 11 formats)

Try R-studio

>>256188
Metadata

You could use previous versions. You do this through \\<Pc name>\c$ to access your hdd. Right Click on the folder that contained the file and choose properties, then previous versions. You may then be able to get the file back. If the right services are not running (Shadow Copies? I think) this will not be available.

I got them all eventually, thanks for the encouragement. I think what I was doing wrong was that I only scanned the specific folder those files were in. I actually found them in a directory called $RECYCLE.BIN afyer scanning the whole drive.