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Although my pc usage is different from yours, I can recover some files from the day of my last Windows install, in Jan 2009. So the answer is yes. Why not run Recuva and see what you find, especially in deep scan? Run CC wipe free space if you're worried, not perfect but it will help.
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My usage is a little less than yours. I too have a 160gb disk. It is impossible to say what could be recovered. I guess you have no access to the machine now? If not then there's not a lot you can do except hope that the new owner is not a member of this forum.