recovering files

How do I recover files that I have recently emptied out of my trash?

But seriously, there's not much you can do, especially if it's been a while.

There are a few programs that claim to be able to recover files, but all are expensive and/or don't work:

FileSalvage for $90
VL Data Recovery for Free, but all reviews said it just locks up...
TrashMagic is $50

...and check here for more.

Good Luck.

None of these are not going to work for you. Simply put, you have to have these 'recovery' apps installed BEFORE you lose the data. If you intend on installing it after the fact, they will not work. All most of these things do is keep ghosted copies of your files so you never actually delete anything. That way it seems like magic when you have already 'emptied' the Trash and 'lost' your file, that it magically reappears when you run the app.
The harsh truth is if you have already deleted and lost your file, you are not going to get it back. If you are prone to accidentally deleting things, then these apps are worth the drive space and money. Otherwise they are basically a waste.

If your data is very important and you have the money, you try www.datasavers.com.