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

Woman using a Windows computer with Microsoft Edge

Don’t panic – Microsoft’s Edge browser isn’t about to subject you to a flood of unblocked adverts (not yet, anyway)

By Darren Allan published

Some folks seem to believe that the end is nigh for uBlock Origin – and maybe other popular extensions for Edge – but it very much isn’t (yet).

Young woman using laptop, looking annoyed

Microsoft’s latest bit of nagging in Windows 11 might come from a good place, but it’s seriously annoying some people

By Darren Allan published

New piece of stealth advertising in Windows 11 is a warning to back up your PC – and while that’s good advice, not everyone needs prodding to use OneDrive.

A man at a desk using a laptop and holding his hands up, while having a confused look on his face

Windows 11 24H2 bug is confusing people by displaying half the interface in one language, and the remainder in another

By Darren Allan published

I’ve seen some weird bugs in Windows 11, but a glitch that mixes up two languages in the operating system’s menus takes the cake.

AMD RX 9070 GPU models

Evidence mounts that RX 9070 XT GPU could equal Nvidia RTX 4080’s performance – I just hope AMD doesn’t mess up pricing

By Darren Allan published

Purported RX 9070 XT benchmark shows it edging out Nvidia’s RTX 4080 while keeping impressively cool, suggesting AMD’s got a real winner of a GPU.

An Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti

Nvidia RTX 5060 Ti GPU with 16GB rumored for March launch, followed by 8GB flavor in April – but where does that leave the vanilla RTX 5060?

By Darren Allan published

Nvidia could potentially be forced to don its flame-retardant suit for rumored April launch of 8GB version of RTX 5060 Ti.

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.

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