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 powered on to the Windows 11 login screen

Microsoft explains how Windows 11's AI agents will get access to your files – but bigger worries remain

By Darren Allan published

Microsoft calms some fears about Windows 11's AI agents, clarifying permissions around file access.

RAM

Fresh RAM woes emerge in the form of a rumor that Samsung has doubled the cost of DDR5

By Darren Allan published

Hopes that steep RAM price rises could plateau are potentially dashed by new rumor of Samsung price hikes.

Windows 11 Linux app

Microsoft is fixing a huge problem with a nifty Windows 11 security feature that polices app installations

By Darren Allan published

Windows 11 has a powerful security feature you may not have heard of – and I'm glad to see Microsoft is fixing its most baffling drawback.

Doom

New DoomScroll website is an 'endless' library of Doom maps you can pick from and play in your browser

By Darren Allan published

I was going to be RPG'ing on my PS5 Pro over the holidays, but now I might play Doom in my browser instead.

Samsung 870 QVO

Looking for a cheap SSD? Don't wait – Samsung could stop producing budget models soon

By Darren Allan published

SSD price rises could hit budget drives hard, so buy now, don't wait – and there's more RAM misery in the cards too.

Angry PC gamer sitting at a gaming desktop PC and losing

Confused about AMD's FSR Redstone update? You're not alone – here's what it all means for PC gamers

By Darren Allan published

Confused about FSR Redstone? I don't blame you – here's the lowdown on all AMD's new game boosting features.

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

Bored with your Windows 11 desktop? Microsoft is offering a free upgrade of handpicked themes from its store

By Darren Allan published

Microsoft wants to make it easy to revamp your Windows 11 desktop by offering free curated themes in its store.

man sleeping underneath his laptop

New Windows 10 update is reportedly causing havoc for some, including breaking a popular customization tool

By Darren Allan published

Microsoft's latest patch breaks stuff – but the surprise is this is Windows 10, not Windows 11.

Phone Link app in Windows 11

Microsoft stops breaking Windows 11 – instead it just made Phone Link even better with Android apps

By Darren Allan published

Like to run Android apps on Windows 11 using Phone Link? A new feature is coming that's sure to please.

Computer memory RAM on motherboard background

High-end DDR5 RAM kits now costing more than an Nvidia RTX 5090 proves we live in the worst timeline

By Darren Allan published

Did you think a high-end RAM kit would ever cost more than an Nvidia RTX 5090? Well, it does, and that's truly scary.

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

Think AI actions in Windows 11 are pointless? Microsoft is letting you banish them from the right-click menu

By Darren Allan published

Windows 11 will soon have tidier right-click menus by allowing AI actions to be fully removed from File Explorer.

AMD Ryzen 5 2500X

The fastest gaming CPU could get a supercharged version soon, as new AMD Ryzen 9850X3D leak pops up

By Darren Allan published

AMD Ryzen 9850X3D leak suggests refresh is imminent, and that'd be good news in more ways than one.

Nvidia GTC 2025 Jensen Huang keynote

'They can build a hospital in a weekend': Nvidia CEO warns about China's big AI advantages — as report reveals it now has 30% of global AI usage

By Darren Allan published

Nvidia's CEO has again warned about China's swift progress and potential to move ahead in the AI race.

Asus Zenbook A14 laptop at Windows login screen

Windows 11 25H2 update is now available for all PCs – here's how to get it

By Darren Allan published

Windows 11 25H2 has the green light for deployment across all eligible PCs (including Windows 10 upgrades).

AOC Agon Pro AG276FK gaming monitor tilted slightly to the side, showing the Windows desktop screen

Windows 11's Run prompt is getting a makeover and a handy extra power – but already there are worries Microsoft will ruin it

By Darren Allan published

An ancient part of Windows 11 is seemingly getting a makeover – but people are scared Microsoft's going to somehow make it sluggish.

A Crucial Pro Overclocking RAM kit

The PC component crisis just got worse, as major RAM maker gives up on consumers and CPU price hikes are rumored

By Darren Allan published

Want more pessimistic predictions of future component pricing? We're not short of those right now, sadly.

Back view of a man using a laptop with Windows 11's Microsoft Store app open

Latest Windows 11 update fixes some nasty bugs – but don't grab it yet (especially if you use dark mode)

By Darren Allan published

New Windows 11 update tackles bugs causing the Start menu and taskbar to fall over.

Young woman using laptop, looking annoyed

New Windows 11 'PC you can talk to' ad pushing Copilot is proving divisive – and I can see it seriously backfiring

By Darren Allan published

Another advert in a series of promos for voice input and Copilot seems an unwise move from Microsoft.

Businessman staring at laptop with frightened face in the dark

Microsoft just broke File Explorer dark mode – some Windows 11 users are seeing jarring white flashes when opening folders

By Darren Allan published

Dark mode goes rogue thanks to new bug in latest preview update which was supposed to improve the feature.

Web

The Wayback Machine recently captured its trillionth web page – here are 5 surprising facts about the 'living history of the internet'

By Darren Allan published

You might be surprised at what the Internet Archive, the non-profit keeper of the Wayback Machine, gets up to.

Shocked woman worker looking at laptop screen

I get why some people are suddenly freaking out about AI agents in Windows 11 – I'm worried, too, but let's not panic just yet

By Darren Allan published

Microsoft cautioning that you need to 'understand the security implications of enabling an AI agent' is unsettling.

girl using laptop hoping for good luck with her fingers crossed

Ex-engineer blasts Microsoft – argues it must fix Windows 11 'until it doesn't suck', never mind about AI

By Darren Allan published

Fed up with Microsoft's big push for AI? Wish it would fix the basic problems with Windows 11 instead? You are very much not alone.

Annoyed Windows 10 user

Windows 11 bug causes password sign-in icon to turn invisible – but don't worry, Microsoft reassures, just keep clicking, and you'll find it

By Darren Allan published

Windows Hello password icon has somehow turned invisible – and if this glitch is odd, Microsoft's advice is even weirder.

Lucia Caminos

GTA 6 leak supposedly from former Rockstar animator gives us fresh morsels of gameplay footage

By Darren Allan published

The leak is broadly believed to be genuine, and hints at two new potential gameplay elements.

Mature man using laptop in a cafe, looking annoyed

Complaints about Windows 11's fix for File Explorer sluggishness are overblown – but they underline a fundamental problem with the OS

By Darren Allan published

Latest flak fired at Windows 11 over performance is a fuss about nothing – but it still shines a light on one of Microsoft's weaknesses.

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