Articles by 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

Confused by a mysterious update that's suddenly appeared on your Windows 10 PC? Don't panic – here's what you need to know

By Darren Allan published 2 July 25

Microsoft is stealthily installing a mysterious update on Windows 10 PCs: here's what it does, and why you need to start thinking about your next move.

Mature man using laptop in a cafe, looking annoyed

Microsoft just gave the Windows 11 Notepad app a controversial feature that people are either loving or hating

By Darren Allan published 2 July 25

Is Notepad becoming WordPad now? Microsoft's new formatting features for Windows 11's text editor are proving to be highly divisive.

Frustrated unhappy laptop user girl touching head at work table with computer

'It's obvious that users are frustrated': consumer rights group accuses Microsoft of not providing a 'viable solution' for Windows 10 users who can't upgrade to Windows 11

By Darren Allan published 1 July 25

A recent lifeline for those who are stuck on Windows 10 is welcome, but still not enough – and Microsoft should be looking at doing more.

No, Windows 11 PCs aren't 'up to 2.3x faster' than Windows 10 devices, as Microsoft suggests – here's why that's an outlandish claim

By Darren Allan published 1 July 25

Microsoft is pushing Windows 11 upgrades increasingly hard, but misleading marketing is not going to help its cause in the end.

Upset PC gamer with head in hands by his PC

I don't generally recommend downloading Windows 11's preview updates, but some gamers may want to chance Microsoft's latest effort

By Darren Allan published 30 June 25

Some PC gamers may want to take a chance on a new optional update for Windows 11 as it fixes a nasty black screen bug.

A young woman is working on a laptop in a relaxed office space.

Microsoft confirms Windows 11 25H2, and in some ways, I'm glad we're not getting a major update like Windows 12 this year

By Darren Allan published 30 June 25

Forget Windows 12, Microsoft's confirmed Windows 11 25H2 - and this year's update might disappoint in some ways, but there's good news too.

Angry PC gamer sitting at a gaming desktop PC and losing

Steam's new in-game overlay offers some useful upgrades - and I'm particularly happy about one that exposes a controversial AI trick

By Darren Allan published 19 June 25

Hate 'fake frames' - and games that may enable them without your knowledge? Valve has the answer to the hidden use of frame generation, and more besides.

Nvidia could have a new take on its fastest GPU that will reportedly pack a 'surprise' – but I wouldn't get your hopes up

By Darren Allan published 19 June 25

Nvidia's rumored new RTX 5090 model could surprise us – but if that shock is a cheaper price for the GPU, I'd still prepare for disappointment.

Windows 11 user has 30 years of 'irreplaceable photos and work' locked away in OneDrive - and Microsoft's silence is deafening

By Darren Allan published 18 June 25

Three decades of personal data lost due to a badly planned transfer process that relied on Microsoft's OneDrive.

Windows 11’s new Start menu falls short in one key area – and it’s making people angry

By Darren Allan published 18 June 25

Windows 11’s new Start menu misses a trick (or two) with customization, but I’m hoping Microsoft will change its tune here.

A Microsoft Surface Laptop being shown at Microsoft's Copilot Plus PC Showcase

Microsoft has made it harder to log in to Windows 11 using your face - and that’s good and bad news

By Darren Allan published 17 June 25

Wondering why your Windows 11 face login doesn’t work sometimes? It’s because of Microsoft’s recent push for ‘enhanced security’.

Windows 11’s new update is reportedly proving a nightmare to install for some, but I’m hardly surprised given its messy rollout

By Darren Allan published 17 June 25

Windows 11’s new update looks like a double dose of trouble with reports of nasty bugs and serious problems installing the upgrade.

‘You did say how much you loved Vista’ – Microsoft’s most hated operating system pops up in Windows 11’s weirdest glitch ever

By Darren Allan published 16 June 25

Microsoft confirms bug with Windows 11 playing Vista startup sound by accident, but there’s more to this than meets the ear.

Windows 11's hidden PC migration feature proves Microsoft isn't messing around when it comes to killing off Windows 10

By Darren Allan published 16 June 25

Windows 10 is set to get a new way of easily transferring all your data to a brand-new PC, and I’m in two minds about this feature.

LibreOffice maker urges Windows 10 users to defect in viral ‘Go Linux, not Windows 11’ campaign

By Darren Allan published 13 June 25

Microsoft is under fire again for steep Windows 11 spec requirements, as the maker of LibreOffice urges Windows 10 users to switch to Linux.

The Asus Dual OC RTX 5060 inside a PC case.

Nvidia RTX 5050 again rumored to pack slower VRAM than other Blackwell GPUs, but don’t write off this budget graphics card yet

By Darren Allan published 13 June 25

Nvidia RTX 5050 VRAM rumor adds to the general gloom around the budget GPU, but honestly, I’d ignore the doomsayers.

PCIe 7.0 has been announced, offering superfast speeds for the components inside your PC – but don’t get excited just yet

By Darren Allan published 12 June 25

Even though PCIe 6.0 still hasn’t arrived, PCIe 7.0 has just been announced – and work has begun on PCIe 8.0. Confused? We’ll explain it all.

Apple's new dedicated gaming app on macOS Tahoe

Microsoft makes fun of macOS Tahoe’s Liquid Glass redesign for ripping off Windows Vista – but Apple could have the last laugh

By Darren Allan published 12 June 25

Watch out, Apple: Microsoft wakes up and joins the Liquid Glass fun-poking party, being six millionth in line to point out that Windows Vista got there first.

gamer putting headphones on and getting ready to stream

Microsoft explains game-crashing bug in latest Windows 11 update, says it ‘likely didn’t’ affect many people

By Darren Allan published 12 June 25

Confused about what’s going on with the latest Windows 11 update? You aren’t alone...

Skeleton of an office worker waiting for their laptop to boot

Windows 10 might be at death’s door, but Microsoft hasn’t finished trying to force Bing and Edge on its users

By Darren Allan published 11 June 25

New Windows 10 update, same old tricks, as Bing stealthily injects itself into the taskbar’s calendar panel.

A frustrated looking girl playing a video game

Microsoft takes unusual step of delaying a Windows 11 update, leaving some PC gamers still waiting for crucial fixes for 24H2

By Darren Allan published 11 June 25

A compatibility bug was found in the new Windows 11 update after it was released, so Microsoft hit pause, leaving some users decidedly confused.

Young woman use cellphone sit at table in kitchen

Windows 11 is getting a nifty trick for quickly mirroring your Android phone right from the Start menu

By Darren Allan published 10 June 25

Microsoft is taking a step forward with the Start menu, adding a useful twist to the Phone Link panel.

It’s official: your Intel Mac won’t get macOS 27, with macOS Tahoe 26 marking the end of an era

By Darren Allan published 10 June 25

WWDC 2025 Got a Mac with an Intel CPU? Even if you’re fortunate enough to have support for macOS Tahoe 26, you’ll be out of luck with macOS 27.

macOS Tahoe 26 is official: here’s everything we know about the release date, compatibility and all the new features

By Darren Allan last updated 9 June 25

Updated Apple has revealed macOS Tahoe at WWDC 25 and we've got the lowdown on all the major new features.

Does your Mac support macOS Tahoe 26? Here’s the full list of compatible MacBooks and Macs

By Darren Allan published 9 June 25

WWDC 2025 Are you able to upgrade to macOS 26? These are all the Macs and MacBooks that are compatible.

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