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

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.

How to download the macOS Tahoe 26 developer beta

By Darren Allan published 9 June 25

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 9 June 25

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.

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 9 June 25

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

By Darren Allan published 6 June 25

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

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 5 June 25

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

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 4 June 25

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

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 4 June 25

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

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

By Darren Allan published 4 June 25

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 3 June 25

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.

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How does antivirus software work?

By Darren Allan last updated 3 June 25

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 3 June 25

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 2 June 25

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

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 2 June 25

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.

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

By Darren Allan published 2 June 25

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

Finally! Android users can now open shared Microsoft Office files without having to sign in

By Darren Allan published 30 May 25

This is an ability that iPhone owners have had for some time now, so Android is playing catch-up here – but it's still a handy quality-of-life upgrade.

Still on Windows 11 23H2 because you’re worried 24H2 is a disaster for PC gaming? Microsoft’s latest update could persuade you to finally upgrade

By Darren Allan published 30 May 25

New Windows 11 update delivers what could be the most important fix in a long time for gamers with Nvidia GPUs.

Microsoft investigates nasty Windows 11 bug that leaves PCs unable to boot – here’s what you need to know

By Darren Allan published 29 May 25

A showstopping recovery error bug is hitting Windows 11 22H2 and 23H2, but Microsoft notes that it isn’t affecting many home users.

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

New update for Windows 11 24H2 is the most feature-packed for some time, delivering some seriously useful additions

By Darren Allan published 29 May 25

We’re getting a towering pile of fresh features, although some of the choicest bits are for Copilot+ PCs only.

Microsoft wants to simplify all Windows updates, and it could make everyone’s life easier

By Darren Allan published 28 May 25

Currently, app updates can be a somewhat messy business, but Microsoft wants to change all that in Windows 11.

Nvidia RTX 5050 GPU spotted in Acer gaming laptops, so it could arrive soon – but I’m becoming more doubtful about a desktop variant

By Darren Allan published 28 May 25

Nvidia’s RTX 5050 could put some serious pep in the step of budget gaming laptops soon – with any luck.

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

Hate Copilot? You might change your mind if this hint that it’ll extend your laptop’s battery life is true

By Darren Allan published 28 May 25

A new rumor has hinted that Windows 11 may eventually use Copilot to help extend your laptop’s battery life.

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