Microsoft is testing a speed-test tool built into the Windows 11 taskbar.
Microsoft mentioned the feature in the release notes for the latest Windows 11 beta (Builds 26100.7918 and 26200.7918). "Open it from the Wi‑Fi or Cellular Quick Settings, or by right-clicking the network icon in the system tray," it says.
In September, a Windows 11 user noticed that the company had quietly added a new option that said "Perform speed test," along with a button called "Test Internet Speed," in the system tray, which is located in the right corner of the taskbar. However, the feature wasn't entirely built-in. It seemed to direct the Windows 11 user to the Bing search engine and its speed-test function, which harnesses Ookla's Speedtest.com.
The release notes for the Windows 11 preview build seem to confirm this. "The speed test opens in the default browser and measures Ethernet, Wi‑Fi, and Cellular connections. This feature helps check network performance and troubleshoot issues," Microsoft says.
So it doesn't appear that Windows 11 will power an entirely new speed-test service when Ookla, Cloudflare, and Fast.com offer their own. Still, the function could be convenient, especially for users unaware of such services.
Although Microsoft announced the built-in speed test function on Tuesday, the company says it's releasing the feature as part of a "gradual rollout" for Windows 11 Insiders , "so features reach devices over time instead of all at once, meaning availability varies by device.​​​​​​​​​​​​​"
Disclosure: Ookla is owned by Ziff Davis, PCMag's parent company.
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