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

New concept devices from Qualcomm featuring the Snapdragon X2 Elite and X2 Elite Extreme chips.

Windows 11 looks set for a big update early in 2026, but most people won't get it

By Darren Allan published

A rumor contends that Microsoft is planning a version 26H1 of Windows 11 specifically for Snapdragon X2 Elite laptops.

People using Windows 11 laptops

Windows 11's new Start menu is now available – but I wouldn't rush to get it yet

By Darren Allan published

The redesigned Start menu is exciting, true, but I'd advise you to hold fire for now.

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

Don't worry, Microsoft says – Windows 11 will sort those weird duplicate drivers in your update queue

By Darren Allan published

Do Windows 11 driver updates sometimes confuse or even freak you out? Microsoft assures us the OS can handle driver oddities.

A woman getting frustrated by her laptop

Microsoft sinks to new lows with Bing Wallpaper 'feature' in Windows 11 that'll either confuse or annoy you

By Darren Allan published

The Bing Wallpaper app gets awful new feature – and I fear Windows 11's becoming more about the 'Microsoft experience' than the user experience.

girl using laptop hoping for good luck with her fingers crossed

Windows 11 is getting a new trick to make your PC more reliable – and Microsoft has fixed a security flaw in File Explorer

By Darren Allan published

Microsoft has a new plan to ensure your Windows 11 PC crashes less often: proactive memory diagnostics.

A person putting a MacBook Air M4 in a bag

Never mind Linux – Windows 10's End of Life is driving up Apple Mac sales

By Darren Allan published

Tempting new MacBooks is one reason for Mac sales going up strongly – but Apple can also thank Microsoft.

Windows 11 working on a laptop PC

Windows 95 icons still exist in Windows 11 today as dusty old relics from another time – here's where to find them

By Darren Allan published

Nostalgic for Windows 95? Believe it or not, you can still find icons from the dusty old OS kicking about in Windows 11.

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

Windows 11's new Start menu is almost here – you could get it as soon as next month

By Darren Allan published

Wondering where Windows 11's new Start menu has got to? The good news is that it looks to be imminent.

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

Windows 11 now forcibly updates apps from the Microsoft Store – and not everyone is happy

By Darren Allan published

Don't want forced updates for your Windows 11 apps? Microsoft Store no longer gives you a choice in the matter.

A Snapdragon X Elite reference laptop running Baldur's Gate 3.

It took nearly a year, but Microsoft has finally improved Windows 11 to run more PC games on Arm laptops

By Darren Allan published

Windows 11 update packs a big improvement for gamers running Arm CPUs – but it took a long time to arrive.

A man typing on a Windows 11 laptop

Microsoft rushes out emergency fix for Windows 11 bug that stops PCs recovering from boot failures

By Darren Allan published

Microsoft rushes out yet another emergency fix for broken PC recovery features – I'd recommend you get this patch now.

Mature man using laptop in a cafe, looking annoyed

Microsoft's latest prod to use Copilot AI in the Edge browser is subtle, but still annoying - and I'm getting fed up with this

By Darren Allan published

It's not surprising to see Microsoft promoting Copilot over rival AIs in Edge - but I'm still disappointed by this latest 'nudge'.

Atari Intellivision Sprint console shown with box and game controller overlays

Mattel's Intellivision was my first ever console in 1981 - and I'm so tempted to buy Atari's reboot this holiday season

By Darren Allan published

The Intellivision had a robust library of games - including some surprisingly in-depth strategy affairs - and many of these classics are bundled with the reboot.

Sad business man and laptop

Windows 11 gets improved dark mode – but Microsoft breaks the feature for some unfortunate users

By Darren Allan published

Want dark mode seemingly randomly switching itself on and off? PowerToys has gone badly awry here.

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

Windows 10's demise could be Linux's gain if the flood of defectors is anything to go by

By Darren Allan published

Are droves of Windows 10 users heading to Linux? One distro saw 100,000 downloads in just two days after Microsoft ended support.

Someone working on an Apple MacBook Pro M5

M5 benchmark leak shows Apple's CPU outgunning Qualcomm's powerful Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme

By Darren Allan published

The vanilla M5 is looking like an impressive performer, stoking expectations for the M5 Pro and Max.

A Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 in tent mode open to Microsoft Paint with TechRadar scribbled on a canvas

Windows 11's Paint app could soon create animations for you with AI, and boast a Nano Banana-style 'generative edit'

By Darren Allan published

Windows AI Labs is offering some experimental capabilities for Paint, which look powerful - if rough around the edges.

PC gamer looking confused at monitor

Fright or flight? Windows 11's getting a pile of new features including Gaming Copilot – but is it really ready for take-off?

By Darren Allan published

PC gamers on Windows 11 are getting some new features including an AI helper in the Game Bar.

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

Windows 10's final patch fixes a bewildering number of security flaws – and shows why you need extended updates

By Darren Allan published

170 security flaws being resolved this month underline the danger of running Windows 10 without updates.

Windows 11 Copilot App AI Agents

Microsoft reveals plan to 'make every Windows 11 PC an AI PC' with new voice input, Copilot Vision and supercharged AI powers

By Darren Allan published

Microsoft is serious about you relying on your mouse and keyboard a lot less in the future.

Shocked woman worker looking at laptop screen

Microsoft Defender will still protect Windows 10 PCs now support has ended - but don't make the mistake of relying on antivirus

By Darren Allan published

Think you'll be okay without Windows 10's monthly security updates? Don't fall into the trap of believing Defender will keep you safe.

happy woman using a Windows 10 laptop

Stuck on Windows 10? Tiny11 25H2 is here to answer the prayers of those who can't upgrade to Windows 11

By Darren Allan published

Tiny11 25H2 arrives as a fully up-to-date lightweight version of Windows 11 to tempt those stuck on Windows 10.

A man typing on a Windows 11 laptop

Is Windows 11 about to go all-in with voice commands? Microsoft teases revelation of 'something big' tomorrow

By Darren Allan published

Ready to use your keyboard less in Windows 11? Something big is coming to the OS and it's likely voice input.

An Acer Swift Go 14 laptop keyboard showing the Copilot button

Think Copilot in Windows 11 is useless? This new feature could change your mind

By Darren Allan published

Microsoft has beefed up the Copilot app with an impressive addition that's a substitute for a useful Copilot+ PC feature.

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

How to sign up for free extended updates in Windows 10 to stay safe until October 2026

By Darren Allan published

If you're confused about where to get Microsoft's free offer of extended support, we'll show you exactly how it's done.

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