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

An AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D in a masculine hand

AMD says Ryzen CPU burnouts are a 'complex issue' and blames motherboard makers

By Darren Allan published

AMD has blamed the BIOS settings of motherboard makers for causing Ryzen X3D CPU burnouts – but it's complicated.

Intel Core Ultra processor

Intel is giving PC gamers Battlefield 6 for free with some desktop CPUs to try and stoke sales

By Darren Allan published

I'm not surprised to see Intel's dangling a big carrot to sell its CPUs, as it's struggling in the desktop department.

Skeleton of an office worker waiting for their laptop to boot

Can't sign up for extended Windows 10 support? Don't panic, the rollout is underway - but it's reportedly going 'slowly'

By Darren Allan published

I haven't had the offer of extended Windows 10 support yet - and neither have quite a few others reportedly.

Happy woman

Windows 11 feature to resume Android apps on your PC is finally incoming - and I think this will be a great addition

By Darren Allan published

Windows 11 is getting a nifty ability to let you pick up where you left off with apps on your Android phone.

An AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT on a table

I'm excited for RX 7000 GPU owners, as AMD leak suggests they could get FSR 4 speeding up games

By Darren Allan published

Leaks hints that AMD could bring FSR 4 to older Radeon GPUs - and I really hope this is the plan.

Young woman sitting on the floor with a laptop biting nails, nervous and very anxious

Microsoft turns to AI to improve Edge browser – but after the Recall debacle I'm worried it could be another privacy nightmare

By Darren Allan published

Microsoft Edge could get a new 'Journeys' AI feature that sounds useful, but may worry the privacy-conscious.

happy woman using a Windows 10 laptop

If Windows 12 is anything like this concept, I'd switch from Windows 11 (or 10) in a heartbeat

By Darren Allan published

Hate Windows 11? I'm betting you'll have a change of heart about Windows 12 if the OS turns out like this concept.

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

Not a fan of the Copilot app in Windows 11? You might change your mind, as Microsoft just beefed up its powers

By Darren Allan published

Windows 11's Copilot app is getting a powered-up search function to find the files you need quickly.

Sad business man and laptop

I'm fed up with ads in Windows 11, but Microsoft may introduce yet another one to the Start menu

By Darren Allan published

Will Microsoft ever stop pushing its products via Windows 11's Start menu? It doesn't seem likely.

A man getting angry with his laptop.

Can't reset your Windows 11 or 10 PC? Microsoft rushes out fix after breaking vital recovery features

By Darren Allan published

A bug in the latest updates for Windows 11 and 10 spells trouble for those trying to reset their PC or recover from other glitches.

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

Bug in Windows 11 update reportedly breaks some SSDs - and Microsoft says it's now 'investigating'

By Darren Allan last updated

Updated The latest Windows 11 update could spell trouble for SSDs, but let's not get carried away yet.

Happy woman sitting on a bed with a coffee and a laptop

I was about to upgrade to Windows 11, but I've decided to stick with Windows 10 – here's why

By Darren Allan published

Are you preparing to upgrade to Windows 11? There are reasons you might want to stay on Windows 10 for the time being.

Skeleton of an office worker waiting for their laptop to boot

Windows 11 could finally get a finished dark mode – but I can't believe how long it's taken

By Darren Allan published

Fed up with Windows 11's dark mode remaining unfinished? Here's some good news.

Mac Pro

Apple could be working on its fastest ever Mac if this Mac Pro with M4 Ultra rumor is true

By Darren Allan published

A Mac Pro for 2025? It may arrive with an M4 Ultra CPU, despite what the naysayers think.

Mature man using laptop in a cafe, looking annoyed

Microsoft stuffs more AI into Windows 11 - but the only feature I really want comes with a big catch

By Darren Allan published

Sick of AI in Windows 11? I am too, but there's one feature I want - and the kicker is I'm not going to get it.

Teenage Engineering Computer 2-case

Building a new PC and looking for a good case? You can get one for free – with a couple of catches

By Darren Allan published

There's no such thing as a free lunch - but you can get a new PC case for nothing.

Shocked woman worker looking at laptop screen

Microsoft exec's vision of Windows 12 and beyond could terrify some of you

By Darren Allan published

The 'computer can actually look at your screen and is context aware' - are we heading towards a computing utopia, or a data dystopia?

Sad business man and laptop

Tearing your hair out because you can't sign up for Windows 10 extended updates? New patch fixes annoying bug and makes support to October 2026 available for all

By Darren Allan published

New Windows 10 update brings extended support offer to all PCs – and fixes a bug that was preventing some people from signing up.

blue laptop on table

Epic delivers on promise to fix anti-cheat games so they work on laptops with Snapdragon X CPUs – starting with Fortnite

By Darren Allan published

Laptop gamers, rejoice: One of the biggest reasons to avoid a Copilot+ PC with a Snapdragon X CPU has been banished.

girl using laptop hoping for good luck with her fingers crossed

Latest Windows 11 update packs a great new feature - but I hope I never have to use it

By Darren Allan published

As well as Quick Machine Recovery, the August update delivers an important fix for PC gamers - and more AI tricks.

Windows 10's grave

Microsoft is being sued for killing Windows 10 - here are 5 reasons why the lawsuit could actually force its hand to extend support further

By Darren Allan published

Lawsuit turns up the heat on Microsoft over Windows 10 End of Life - and I think the pressure is really on to find a solution.

Woman disgusted by her laptop

Sorry, Microsoft: your latest attempt to get people to switch over to Edge in Windows 11 is crossing a line

By Darren Allan published

Windows 11 could get another pop-up nagging you to use Edge - and make you wonder exactly what Microsoft is snooping on in the OS.

Up-close MagSafe and ports on 13-inch MacBook Air M4 in Sky Blue

A $599 MacBook could actually be coming – and even as a hardened Windows fan, I'd be tempted to take the plunge

By Darren Allan published

There's more chatter about a cheap MacBook, and rumored $599 price would indeed 'shake up the notebook market' - to put it mildly.

The branding along the top of an AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT

Desperate for a cheap GPU? AMD's RX 7400 just arrived – but I'd forget about that, and start hoping the rumored Intel B380 is real

By Darren Allan published

I wouldn't bet on the new AMD RX 7400 being your budget GPU savior – that might be Intel's B380 instead.

Mature man using laptop in a cafe, looking annoyed

Microsoft reveals a surprising catch to extended support for Windows 10 that's going to seriously annoy some people

By Darren Allan published

Microsoft has been cracking down on local accounts with Windows, and this could be seen as another push in that direction.

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