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

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

Windows 11 24H2 update arrives in preview with important fix for blue screen crashes – but I still wouldn’t rush to install this upgrade

By Darren Allan published

I’d advise giving this latest optional update a swerve for now - unless you have a very good reason in wanting to grab it.

The Asus Vivobook S 15 Copilot+ in silver pictured on a wooden desk.

Microsoft finally plays its trump AI card, Recall, in Windows 11 – but for me, it’s completely overshadowed by another new ability for Copilot+ PCs

By Darren Allan published

Recall leaves me cold – it’s AI pepping up the taskbar search box in Windows 11 that I’m really jealous of.

An Nvidia RTX 4090, one of the best Nvidia graphics card picks, against a green techradar background

The best Nvidia graphics card in 2025: top picks from Team Green for gaming, creating, and more

By John Loeffler last updated

Updated All the best Nvidia GPU picks, from the best for 4K gaming down to more affordable budget alternatives.

A PC gamer sitting at a desk wearing a headset with a purple-blue LED glow

Disappointed about those rumors that AMD’s RX 9070 GRE graphics card won’t appear until late 2025? We’ve got some good news for you

By Darren Allan published

We’ve caught sight of AMD’s rumored RX 9070 GRE, stoking the buzz around this GPU possibly being imminent.

Mature man using laptop in a cafe, looking annoyed

Microsoft could be working on the next update for Windows 11 – but 25H2 could end up being a disappointment

By Darren Allan published

New clues suggest Microsoft is already knocking Windows 11 25H2 into shape – but don’t get excited for any major new features.

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

Microsoft Edge browser could put Copilot AI front and center – but that might just be a good thing

By Darren Allan published

Copilot haters who use Edge, be warned: Microsoft might have plans to make the AI the star of its new tab page.

A pier with a boar driving under it in GTA San Andreas

Mystery of the vanishing seaplane: why did Windows 11 24H2 cause the vehicle to disappear from Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas?

By Darren Allan published

Yet more Windows 11 weirdness emerges, as 24H2 update transports a plane from Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas into another galaxy.

Apple iPad Air 2024

Tiny11 strikes again, as bloat-free version of Windows 11 is demonstrated running on Apple’s iPad Air – but don’t try this at home

By Darren Allan published

Forget Doom on a toothbrush, someone’s got Windows 11 running on an iPad Air – and it might be slow as hell, but it works.

Angry man ripping out his hair in front of his laptop

Windows 10 might be on its deathbed, but Microsoft seemingly can’t resist messing with the OS in latest update, breaking part of the Start menu

By Darren Allan published

Microsoft has somehow managed to break part of Windows 10’s Start menu in its latest update, according to reports – what’s going on here?

The Asus Vivobook S 15 Copilot+ in silver pictured on a wooden desk.

Microsoft is working on some seriously exciting Windows 11 improvements – but not everyone will get them

By Darren Allan published

Windows 11 is getting better search, accessibility powers and integration for its ‘reading coach’ – but with AI doing the heavy lifting in some cases, you’ll need a Copilot+ PC.

Windows 10 Fail

Is your Windows 11 PC crashing a lot since the latest update? Microsoft admits bug with blue screen crashes, and has rushed out a fix

By Darren Allan published

More Windows 11 24H2 bug misery? You bet, welcome to random crashes that have prompted Microsoft to deploy an emergency fix.

A young teenager is playing a PC game and celebrating a victory.

I’ve never seen so many bug fixes in an Nvidia GPU driver, as new release offers vital cures for black screen crashes, Windows 11 24H2 glitches and more

By Darren Allan published

Nvidia only talks about fixing black screen woes for RTX 5000 graphics cards, so what about past-gen GPUs? Fortunately, it seems like good news here, too.

An AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT made by Sapphire on a table with its retail packaging

AMD strikes back in May? RX 9060 XT rumored to launch next month to face Nvidia’s RTX 5060 GPU in lower-mid-range shootout

By Darren Allan published

AMD’s RX 9060 XT could arrive in May to face off against Nvidia’s RTX 5060, maybe giving us some great new budget GPU opportunities – in theory.

Person using a laptop.

Windows 11 is about to get a nifty shortcut for copying out all the text from an image

By Darren Allan published

Got an image on your monitor that you want to extract the text from? Windows 11 is about to make that process dead easy.

Nimo N155 Business Gaming Laptop

Couldn’t install Windows 11 24H2 because of your wallpaper? Microsoft has finally lifted blocks on upgrades due to customization apps – with some catches

By Darren Allan published

Never been offered the Windows 11 24H2 upgrade? You might see it now, if the problem was a third-party customization app on your PC.

Young woman using laptop, looking annoyed

Starship blooper: Windows 10 update gets weirdest bug yet

By Darren Allan published

Bugs in the bugs: Windows 10 update plasters ‘error install failure’ message over your screen when the upgrade has actually installed just fine.

Windows fail

Can’t securely login to your PC using facial recognition anymore? New Windows 11 update patch is likely to blame – if you can install the update at all

By Darren Allan published

Windows 11’s new update is breaking facial recognition logins with Windows Hello, and also simply failing to install.

Mature man using laptop in a cafe, looking annoyed

Microsoft warns that anyone who deleted mysterious folder that appeared after latest Windows 11 update must take action to put it back

By Darren Allan published

If you deleted the folder in question, your PC is missing a security fix – here’s what you need to do to resolve the situation.

Find the best Mac antivirus for you. Even your Mac needs an anti-virus software for protection.

Best antivirus software for Mac of 2025: rated and reviewed

By Benedict Collins last updated

macOS We've tested and reviewed all the best antivirus software for Mac, to help you protect your Apple device from malware, such as malicious website injections.

Unhappy

Microsoft’s latest attempt to persuade upgrades to Windows 11 falls spectacularly flat on its face

By Darren Allan published

“You’ve heard the buzz about Windows 11, but is it worth the upgrade?” Microsoft asks. And going by this new article, it isn’t really.

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

Windows 11’s controversial Recall feature could soon arrive for Copilot+ PCs – I just hope Microsoft’s tightening of its privacy is up to scratch

By Darren Allan published

It could be ‘Click to Do or Die’ soon for Microsoft, as Windows 11’s Recall search feature has entered the final stage of testing and should be imminent.

PC gamer looking at PC in anger and disbelief

Is Microsoft getting truly desperate with adverts now? I’m seriously unimpressed with a new ‘suggestion’ to buy Avowed in Windows 10 and Windows 11

By Darren Allan published

Avowed might be good, but I don’t want Windows 10 shoving adverts in my face urging me to buy the game, thanks Microsoft.

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

Windows 11 update reportedly creates a mysterious folder on your system drive, which is certainly confusing – but ultimately harmless

By Darren Allan published

Scratching your head about a mysterious folder that’s appeared on your drive after installing the latest Windows 11 update? Here’s what’s happened.

ASUS ROG Astral LC GeForce RTX 5090 OC Edition liquid cooled graphics card against a blue background

Scared that your high-end Nvidia GPU might experience a cable-melting disaster? Asus has a new power monitoring feature to calm your fears

By Darren Allan published

Asus has a winner with its new Power Detector+ warning, though it only works for some of the company’s GPUs right now.

An Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti

Nvidia RTX 5060 Ti price rumor is what all gamers want to hear – these models may be cheaper than RTX 4060 Ti equivalents, especially the 16GB GPU

By Darren Allan published

Nvidia could price the RTX 5060 Ti graphics cards surprisingly affordably – might this be a move to try and win back favor with disgruntled gamers?

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