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

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.

16-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro chip in a studio being used

Don’t want to pay full price for a cutting-edge MacBook Pro or Mac mini? Apple’s now selling M4 refurbs that are more affordable, but still have a year’s warranty

By Darren Allan published

Apple’s now selling refurbished MacBook Pro and Mac mini M4 devices with up to 15% off asking prices.

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

Windows 11 is set to offer the option nobody was crying out for – having Copilot automatically load in the background when the PC boots

By Darren Allan published

Want the Copilot app to automatically load on startup? What do you mean, no? Well, Microsoft is giving Windows 11 users this option.

Woman gaming on a computer at home

Microsoft finally fixes some of Windows 11’s most annoying problems with new patch

By Darren Allan published

Windows 11 update packs a raft of important fixes for nasty audio bugs and an Auto HDR glitch that has been seriously frustrating for gamers.

MSI RTX 5070 Ti Gaming Trio OC Side Angle

Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti early pricing rumors are making me fear the worst for the cost of this mid-range GPU

By Darren Allan published

There are already ominous rumblings that Nvidia’s RTX 5070 Ti GPU isn’t coming to the rescue of PC gamers, as early price rumors are a definite worry.

Google Pixel 8a

Biggest Google Pixel 9a leak so far reveals colors and seems to confirm the death of the camera bar

By Darren Allan published

Not keen on the rumored redesign for the camera of the Pixel 9a? Bad news: another leak appears to confirm the bar is being ditched.

Render of a new RTX 4000 Max-Q gaming laptop.

Keen to buy a new gaming laptop with an RTX 5000 GPU? Save the date: Nvidia’s announced pre-orders open on February 25

By Darren Allan published

Can’t buy an RTX 5080 or 5090 GPU? At least you’ll soon be able to pre-order a gaming laptop with one inside.

Woman using a Windows computer with Microsoft Edge

Microsoft gets rid of ‘Edge uninstall’ advice page after facing criticism over it having nothing to do with removing the app, and just promoting the browser instead

By Darren Allan published

Microsoft has made good headway with improving Edge in recent times, but it needs to stop with the promotional activity, particularly the weirder stuff.

MSI RTX 5070 Ti Gaming Trio OC Front-on

MSI mistakenly fires up a ‘countdown’ to Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti GPU release that suggests February 20 launch rumors could be true

By Darren Allan published

Can’t wait for Nvidia’s next Blackwell graphics card? The RTX 5070 Ti could be here soon, but worryingly, there’s still no chatter about the RTX 5070.

Copilot keyboard button

Microsoft could give Windows 11 PCs a new option for the Copilot key – but don't get too excited just yet

By Darren Allan published

You can already remap the Copilot key to launch a limited selection of apps, but a new option could soon be on the table.

Zotac Gaming RTX 5090 Graphics Card

Zotac has a plan to keep RTX 5090 and 5080 GPUs away from the clutches of scalpers – and it sounds like it might be working

By Darren Allan published

Sheriff Zotac is in town, and the no-good price gougers are scattering from the saloon.

An Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 on a table with its retail packaging

Ignore that Nvidia RTX 5060 rumor claiming 16GB VRAM – it’s fake, and I’m still worried about how the purported 8GB GPU will perform

By Darren Allan published

RTX 5060 rumor of 16GB of video RAM was based on a faked video, sadly – the grapevine insists the GPU will stick with just 8GB.

Paid antivirus vs free antivirus

Paid antivirus vs free antivirus: which should you get?

By Darren Allan last updated

Antivirus We examine the factors that determine whether you’d be better off with a paid or free antivirus app.

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

Are you unable to get security updates for Windows 11 24H2? Here’s the likely reason why, and the fix to get your PC safe and secure again

By Darren Allan published

If you installed Windows 11 24H2 late last year, using media, then you’ll need to know about a potentially nasty bug.

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