Microsoft Added Internet Speed Test to Windows 11
The integration provides a direct link from the taskbar to browser-based speed testing via the Bing search engine.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Internet
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In late February 2026, Microsoft began distributing a new internet speed test link for Windows 11 users. The tool is accessible by right-clicking the taskbar network icon and redirects to a browser-based test hosted on Bing.
Why it matters
This update streamlines diagnostics by embedding connectivity checks directly into the operating system shell. It signifies a shift toward surface-level visibility for network performance metrics within the standard Windows interface.
The feature integrates Ookla's Speedtest technology, a protocol that measures network latency, download, and upload throughput by sending packets to nearby servers. It operates as a shell-level redirect to the Bing-hosted web interface.
The players
Microsoft
A global technology company that develops the Windows operating system, enterprise software, and the Bing search engine.
Ookla
A network intelligence company known for its Speedtest platform that calculates broadband performance metrics.
The details
Users access the feature by right-clicking the network or Wi-Fi icon located in the bottom-right corner of the taskbar to trigger the context menu. The link redirects to a browser-based test utilizing Ookla, a provider of network testing services that measure packet transmission times between a client and a host server. This implementation simplifies the process by embedding a shortcut within the operating system's primary user interface rather than requiring a dedicated diagnostic application.
Timeline
February 2026: Microsoft began the distribution of the internet speed test feature via Windows Update.
The Tech Race
This integration follows a trend of embedding diagnostic tools directly into the Windows 11 Taskbar interface to minimize user friction. The update expands the utility of the Taskbar by converting a static network status indicator into a functional gateway for diagnostic services.
Windows 11 users can now initiate a connectivity diagnostic without launching a separate web browser or searching for a speed test provider. The feature is available to all users who received the February 2026 update, providing an immediate performance check through their default browser.
The takeaway
The addition of a speed test link reflects a push to centralize network troubleshooting within the Windows 11 taskbar. Users should monitor future Windows Update release notes to see if additional diagnostic shortcuts for Wi-Fi signal strength or latency are integrated in subsequent iterations.
Further reading
For broader coverage of how operating system updates are altering network diagnostics, visit Internet.
Source note: This article includes information reported by PCWorld.
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