Darren Allan

Darren is a freelancer writing news and features for TechRadar (and occasionally T3) across a broad range of computing topics including CPUs, GPUs, various other hardware, VPNs, antivirus and more. He has written about tech for the best part of three decades, and writes books in his spare time (his debut novel - 'I Know What You Did Last Supper' - was published by Hachette UK in 2013).

Articles by: Darren Allan

Windows 10 Fail

I have good news and bad news about Windows 11 24H2’s new update: it introduces nifty features and fixes... but also includes another ad

By Darren Allan published

Tired of ads in Windows 11 yet? I know I am, but Microsoft looks to be bringing in yet another, and this time it’s referrals for PC Game Pass.

The Microsoft Edge logo on a black background displayed on a laptop screen.

Microsoft just gave Edge a great new feature to ensure the browser doesn’t slow down the PC, and it’s tempting me to switch from Google Chrome

By Darren Allan published

In the Edge vs Chrome battle, Microsoft just landed a telling blow – a nifty new RAM limiter feature.

An Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 sitting on its retail packaging

Some lucky RTX 5080 buyers may not be so lucky after all, as Nvidia confirms ‘rare’ chip fault also applies to this GPU as well as the RTX 5090 and 5070 Ti

By Darren Allan published

If you’ve bought an RTX 5080, you need to check your GPU specs and see if the count for a certain rendering pipeline is correct.

Angry business man screaming on laptop

Finding Windows 11 sluggish when you’re working with files and folders? You’re not alone – and it’s high time for Microsoft to sort out File Explorer

By Darren Allan published

Some people are complaining that File Explorer is woefully slow, or that it regularly crashes, and Microsoft needs to shape up here.

A laptop with the Windows 11 desktop on screen, glowing, while on a work desk

Microsoft changes Windows 11’s Start menu for the better (gasp) while introducing nifty new file sharing options

By Darren Allan published

Windows 11 appears to be getting a Start menu change that I like (shock, horror).

An RTX 5090 sitting on top of its retail packaging against a green background

Nvidia confirms 'rare issue' with some RTX 5090 and RTX 5070 Ti GPUs – here’s how to check if you’re affected and to get a replacement

By Darren Allan published

The launch of Nvidia's new GPUs has gone badly enough already, but now there's a hardware-level glitch slowing down RTX 5090 and 5070 Ti GPUs.

AMD RX 9070 GPU models

AMD RX 9070 GPU spec and benchmark rumors cast fresh doubt on power usage and performance – but I wouldn’t worry about the latter

By Darren Allan published

Rumors continue to fly about AMD’s RDNA 4 GPUs, and here we’ve got news on power usage, and a somewhat shaky-sounding story with performance.

A woman sitting in a chair looking at a Windows 11 laptop

Windows 11’s screenshot tool is getting a nifty new time-saving ability

By Darren Allan published

Right now, the change for Snipping Tool is just in testing, but it looks slick already, and hopefully it’ll be arriving soon enough.

Nvidia RTX 5070 Founders Edition GPU shown against a green and black backdrop

Rumor suggests Nvidia’s had difficulties to iron out with chips for RTX 5070 and 5060 GPUs, seemingly leading to delays and possibly low stock levels

By Darren Allan published

More chatter from the grapevine indicates that Nvidia RTX 5070 stock will be low initially, and the RTX 5060 won’t be out until April.

Render of AMD Ryzen chip

AMD’s powerful Ryzen 9 9950X3D and 9900X3D CPUs rumored to arrive on March 12 – but gamers will still be better off with the 9800X3D

By Darren Allan published

If you were wondering when the next 3D V-Cache chips might arrive, apparently it’s March 12, with reviews emerging the day before.

Windows 11

Clues in Windows 11 suggest Microsoft has a nifty plan to help you move all your stuff from an old PC to a new computer more easily and conveniently

By Darren Allan published

Worried about how you’ll transfer all your files and settings from your existing PC to a new one? Windows 11 might soon help with a handy ‘Migration’ app.

AMD RX 9070 GPU models

Watch out, Nvidia – AMD’s rumored to have a plan to unleash RX 9070 reviews to run interference with RTX 5070 GPU’s big launch day

By Darren Allan published

More evidence emerges that AMD is planning to use its RX 9070 launch timing to steal thunder from Nvidia’s RTX 5070.

AOC Agon Pro AG276FK gaming monitor tilted slightly to the side, showing the Windows desktop screen

Windows 11 24H2 hasn’t raised the bar for the operating system’s CPU requirements, Microsoft clarifies

By Darren Allan published

Worried you won’t be able to upgrade to Windows 11 24H2 because support for your Intel CPU has been dropped? Don’t be...

A woman sitting in a chair looking at a Windows 11 laptop

Seen those complaints online about having to sign in to your Microsoft account to use Windows 11’s Notepad app? It’s all a load of hot air

By Darren Allan published

Windows 11 users don’t need a Microsoft account to use Notepad after its latest update – but you will need to login to use the app’s new AI feature.

Angry businessman destroying his desk and laptop with a baseball bat

New patch for Windows 11 24H2 reportedly plays havoc with File Explorer, and some folks are claiming it's broken their PC

By Darren Allan published

Is Windows 11’s latest patch one to avoid for now? Reports suggest it’s causing serious problems with some PCs, but if you hold off, you’ll be left without security fixes.

Woman gaming on a computer at home

Microsoft crowbars new ‘recommendations’ for PC Game Pass into Windows 11, so excuse me while I start beating my anti-advert drum (again)

By Darren Allan published

A new advert in a Windows 11 preview build urges you to recruit friends for Game Pass via a free 14-day trial.

The RTX 5090 imprint on the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090

Finally, some good news about Nvidia’s new GPUs: RTX 5090 stock levels rumored to surge in a month or so

By Darren Allan published

Thinking of buying an Nvidia RTX 5090? It might be wise to wait, as stock is rumored to surge soon, so prices should come down.

Using ChatGPT with Siri.

Apple’s big AI upgrade for Siri could be delayed – and if it doesn’t arrive in iOS 18.4, I’m afraid people will start losing patience

By Darren Allan published

Hoping for Siri to get fancy new AI powers in iOS 18.4? Sadly, it’s not looking good, as a rumor suggests Apple could be pushing back the big rollout.

PowerColor Red Devil AMD RX 9070 XT graphics card shown side-on

AMD’s RX 9070 GPUs could go on sale March 6, the day after Nvidia’s RTX 5070 – and I wouldn’t fret about those 900W power supply rumors

By Darren Allan published

It seems that AMD is planning to unleash its RX 9070 graphics cards in a head-to-head battle with Nvidia’s RTX 5070.

A woman sitting in a chair looking at a Windows 11 laptop

Windows 11 fully streamlined in just two clicks? Talon utility promises to rip all the bloatware out of Microsoft’s OS in a hassle-free way

By Darren Allan published

The typical debloating tool can be complex or even arcane to understand and configure, but Talon takes a very different approach.

Acer Nitro V16

Rumor suggests Nvidia’s planned launch timeframe for laptops with RTX 5000 GPUs got pushed back - what does this mean for PC gamers?

By Darren Allan published

Nvidia could’ve delayed the original RTX 5000 laptop launch timeframe, as rumor suggests gaming GPUs are suffering as AI products get prioritized.

AMD RX 9070 GPU models

AMD confirms big reveal for RX 9070 GPUs on February 28, on-sale date is early March – so it looks like a head-to-head clash with Nvidia’s RTX 5070

By Darren Allan published

AMD RX 9070 vs Nvidia RTX 5070 GPU showdown is apparently on, I just hope Team Red doesn't disappoint with pricing.

An Android phone showing a Waze alert on Google Maps

Google Maps is ramping up its Waze-like incident reports – and that could split opinion among users

By Darren Allan published

More incident reports are coming to Google Maps, this time weather-based ones – but some might argue they’re more of a headache than a help.

Nvidia RTX 5070 Founders Edition GPU shown against a green and black backdrop

Nvidia announces RTX 5070 Ti GPU is out on February 20, but RTX 5070 is delayed to March 5 – and I’m far from surprised

By Darren Allan published

Nvidia’s RTX 5070 GPU has been pushed back to early March as predicted – and now, with that confirmed, we can speculate as to why.

Nvidia RTX 5070 Founders Edition GPU shown against a green and black backdrop

Nvidia RTX 5070 and 5060 GPUs rumored to be delayed to March and April respectively, and stock could be every bit as dire as the RTX 5090 and 5080

By Darren Allan published

Nvidia RTX 5070 and 5060 GPUs rumored to “sell out instantly” when they launch, sadly.

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