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

LibreOffice Writer

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

By Darren Allan published

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

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

Motherboard close up on PCIe slots

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MacBook Air 2020

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

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 pink desktop on iMac

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

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

Apple MacBook Air (M1,2020) Rear Lid

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

By Darren Allan published

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

Apple developer beta announcement

How to download the macOS Tahoe 26 developer beta

By Darren Allan published

Installing the developer beta can be a somewhat involved (and costly) process, but we’ll walk you through all the steps required.

Woman using a Windows computer with Microsoft Edge

Even Copilot haters might like Microsoft’s nifty new AI feature for its Edge browser that can help your ailing memory

By Darren Allan published

Can’t find that website you visited the other week and forgot to bookmark? Microsoft Edge is drafting in AI to help you hunt it down.

MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020)

Most Intel MacBook Pro laptops could miss out on macOS 26 according to new rumor – will future updates be Apple silicon only?

By Darren Allan published

We might be looking at entry-level 2020 models with Intel silicon being left out in the cold, and MacBook Pro 2019 laptops, too.

Google Chrome

Google claims Chrome is now faster than ever – but I’m still worried that the browser remains a RAM hog

By Darren Allan published

Google boasts that Chrome is 10% faster than it was last year after under-the-hood tuning.

Person using a laptop in a coffeeshop

Wish your Windows 11 laptop had better battery life? Microsoft is working on a new power-saving trick that could really help

By Darren Allan published

Windows 11 could soon get a smart power-management feature that boosts battery life in certain circumstances.

Render of AMD Ryzen chip

Can’t wait for AMD’s next-gen Ryzen CPUs? Zen 6 sighting hints they could arrive late in 2026, possibly packing a dream gaming chip

By Darren Allan published

What could be the Ryzen 10000 range of desktop processors might be with us sooner than the rumor mill expected.

Unhappy

Fed up with prompts to use Edge? Windows 11 users in Europe won’t get them anymore, but sadly everyone else will

By Darren Allan published

European users will no longer have Edge nagging them to set it as the default browser, or springing up in a Windows search.

Windows 10's grave

Microsoft accused of ‘tech extortion’ over Windows 10 support ending, from campaign urging people to upgrade to Linux

By Darren Allan published

Can’t (or won’t) upgrade to Windows 11? Then switch to Linux instead, KDE campaign urges Windows 10 users.

A selection of Nvidia RTX 5060 Ti graphics cards.

AMD looks like it’s losing the GPU war based on new Steam survey, with Nvidia’s RTX 5060 Ti proving itself to be popular already

By Darren Allan published

The RTX 5060 Ti appears to be more popular than the RX 9070, as Nvidia’s Blackwell GPUs easily outgun AMD RDNA 4 rivals with Steam gamers.

Secure technology. Polygonal wireframe shield with check mark sign on dark blue. Secure service, protect data, cyber shield, antivirus solution, internet safety, firewall system, privacy

How does antivirus software work?

By Darren Allan last updated

Antivirus Antivirus software protects, detects, and removes threats through a combination of methods; but there is more to understanding what it is and how it works.

Acer Aspire 14 AI laptop display showing the Windows 11 login screen

Windows 11 is getting some big upgrades to tackle dreaded boot failures – and help novices set up their new PC

By Darren Allan published

One of the nastiest tech problems of all is when your PC won’t boot up – and Windows 11 could soon help with that.

Microsoft Surface Laptop and Surface Pro devices on a table.

Can’t upgrade your laptop to Windows 11? Asus joins Microsoft’s campaign urging you to buy a new Copilot+ PC, and I’m not sure that’s wise

By Darren Allan published

Buy a new Copilot+ PC, Asus urges us, sweeping some vital issues under the computing carpet.

Person using a laptop.

Microsoft imposes new rules on Windows 11 laptop makers to ensure they don’t cut corners with key features of USB-C ports

By Darren Allan published

Ever felt cheated that your laptop’s USB-C ports weren’t up to scratch? Microsoft’s new rules to ensure consistency with ports are a great idea.

A person at a laptop.

Windows 11’s Notepad app is getting new formatting tricks that are already proving controversial

By Darren Allan published

Notepad keeps getting more features, and Microsoft’s latest move to add lightweight formatting options is divisive, shall we say.

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