What is the best file shredder for Windows 11 or Windows 10?

You're correct that a simple factory reset or deleting files isn't enough to securely remove sensitive data. Specialized file shredders for Windows 11/10 use overwriting algorithms to permanently destroy data, making recovery virtually impossible. This is especially important when donating your laptop, as you want to ensure all confidential information is fully unrecoverable.

Is a dedicated file shredder necessary?
Yes. Standard deletion methods often just remove pointers to files, while the data remains on the disk until overwritten. A dedicated file shredder thoroughly overwrites the data, ensuring it cannot be recovered.

Advantages of BleachBit as a File Shredder for Windows 11/10:

• It offers different levels of secure deletion, so you can choose how thorough you want to be. For sensitive files, I usually go for the highest level, which overwrites the data multiple times. It’s like making sure the file is gone for good.
• The interface is straightforward. Just right-click the files or folders you want gone, select the shredding option, and boom — they’re wiped out securely. No complicated steps.
• After shredding, recovery tools really struggle to get anything back. I tested it, and the data was pretty much unrecoverable, which is exactly what I need for sensitive stuff.

If you want to wipe the entire drive before donating, consider using DBAN (Darik's Boot and Nuke) or built-in Windows tools like Reset this PC with cleanup options, but note they might not meet the highest security standards for SSDs. For maximum security, combining a full drive wipe with file shredding of remaining sensitive files is ideal.