Windows 11 Insider Preview: One-Click Bing Speed Test and Background AI Tasks

Background​

What the shortcut does — the simple truth​

• The UI element is a shortcut; it does not run a native, in‑OS speed measurement engine.
• When you select the action, Windows opens your default browser and navigates to Bing’s online speed test widget where you can run a download/upload/latency measurement.

Where you’ll find it in Windows 11​

In the system tray (right‑click)​

In the Wi‑Fi quick settings flyout​

Why Microsoft likely implemented it this way​

• Web tools are easier to update independently from Windows servicing cycles, so fixes and adjustments roll out faster.
• Leveraging an existing web widget (Bing’s speed test) avoids duplicating global testing infrastructure and server networks.
• A web approach keeps the OS footprint small and reduces additional security and maintenance overhead for Microsoft.

Measurement accuracy: browser widget vs native testing​

What a web speed test measures​

• Download throughput
• Upload throughput
• Round‑trip latency (ping)

Which backends power these results?​

Why results can differ between tests​

• Server selection: different speed‑test providers pick different test servers (closer servers often show higher speeds).
• Browser network stack: tests running in a browser are constrained by the browser’s own networking behavior and any extensions, proxies, or VPNs.
• Local interference: other devices or background apps consuming bandwidth during a test will lower measured throughput.
• Measurement methodology: parallel connections, test duration, and chunk sizes affect reported speeds.

Privacy and telemetry: what to expect​

• Your public IP address (required to route traffic and pick test servers).
• Client headers (user agent, possibly browser locale).
• Test measurement traffic (download/upload packets) that reveals throughput characteristics.

Enterprise and IT implications​

• Pros:
• Faster first‑contact troubleshooting: support staff can ask a user to click the taskbar shortcut and run a known test without walking them through a website.
• Standardized baseline: if the IT team endorses a specific web tool (for example, an internal portal or a chosen provider), the built‑in shortcut could be used as a consistent first step.
• Cons:
• Lack of control: the shortcut is tied to a web provider (Bing) and doesn’t allow choosing a corporate test server or private measurement nodes.
• Not reliable in captive portal or DNS failure scenarios: if the network problem prevents the browser from loading the web tool, the shortcut is useless.
• Auditability: for formal SLA checks or disputes with ISPs you’ll often need router logs or ISP‑provided tests rather than a quick web widget screenshot.

Alternatives and advanced options​

• Fast.com (Netflix) — simple, streaming‑focused, runs immediately on the page and can show upload and latency details after the initial download test. Good for streaming‑quality checks.
• Speedtest by Ookla (web and official CLI) — widely used, offers server selection and an official Speedtest CLI for scripted or automated tests. The CLI is available for Windows and is appropriate for repeatable, logged measurements.
• TestMy.net and other independent testers — useful for cross‑checking results from different measurement methodologies.
• Local/lan testing with iperf or LAN speed tools — for true local network performance testing (router ↔ PC) use iperf or dedicated LAN benchmarking tools to isolate Wi‑Fi issues from ISP links.
• Router diagnostics or ISP portals — many ISPs provide their own speed checks which test to the ISP network edge and may carry more weight in service disputes.

How to use the new Windows 11 shortcut (quick guide)​

• Click the network (Wi‑Fi / Ethernet) icon in the taskbar.
• Either:
• Right‑click the network icon and select Perform speed test, or
• Open the Wi‑Fi quick settings and click the Test internet speed button in the panel.
• Your default browser opens to Bing’s speed‑test widget.
• Click Start (or the test runs automatically depending on the widget) and wait for download/upload/latency results.
• Repeat the test a few times and compare with an alternate provider if needed.

Practical tips for better tests​

• Close background apps that might consume bandwidth (cloud backups, streaming, Windows Update).
• If possible, connect the test device to the router by Ethernet to isolate Wi‑Fi variability.
• Run three tests over five minutes and use the median value rather than a single reading.
• If you suspect ISP throttling or inconsistent performance, run tests to different provider endpoints (Ookla, Fast.com, ISP meter) and capture timestamps and screenshots for evidence.

A developer / power‑user view: command line and automation​

• Speedtest CLI (Ookla) — official command‑line client that can be scripted and scheduled on Windows via Task Scheduler. Use it for periodic logging and to select specific test servers for fairness between measurements.

• Download the official CLI from the vendor.
• Run speedtest.exe --accept-license --format json > speed-results.json
• Parse or upload the JSON to a monitoring system.

Strengths of the new taskbar shortcut​

• Convenience: Quick access from a familiar place — the network icon — lowers friction for the average user.
• Discoverability: Placing the control where users already check connection status makes it likely to be used when a connection appears slow.
• Consistency: Routing users to Bing’s widget standardizes the initial troubleshooting flow for many users.

Risks and limitations​

• Not a native diagnostic: Because the test runs in a browser, it cannot help if the problem stops web pages from loading in the first place.
• Measurement variability: Browser‑based widgets and different backend servers mean results are useful for quick checks but not authoritative proof in disputes.
• Provider lock‑in (perception): Tying the shortcut to a single web provider may feel like product steering; users and admins may prefer choice of provider.
• Privacy assumptions: Users should assume normal web telemetry applies; any deeper data sharing or telemetry beyond web hits should be verified with official Microsoft documentation.

What’s next — and what remains unverified​

Bottom line​

Background​

What Microsoft has added in Insider builds​

Where you’ll find the shortcut​

• A “Perform speed test” entry appears in the right‑click context menu for the network/system tray icon.
• A separate “Test internet speed” button appears in the bottom‑right corner of the Wi‑Fi quick settings flyout.

Which Insider builds contain it​

How the test actually works — technical flow​

• The user clicks the system tray network icon (or right‑clicks it).
• The user selects Perform speed test (or clicks the quick‑settings button).
• Windows launches the default browser and opens the Bing speed‑test page.
• The web widget runs the measurement and displays download, upload, and latency results.

Why Microsoft likely implemented it this way​

• Low engineering overhead: By funneling users to a web widget, Microsoft avoids shipping and maintaining a local measurement engine, global server selection, and the backend infrastructure required for reliable worldwide tests.
• Faster iteration: Web tools can be updated outside the Windows servicing cadence, enabling rapid fixes and feature parity across platforms.
• Consistent UX: The same Bing‑hosted test can be surfaced from multiple Microsoft touchpoints (Taskbar, Edge, Bing search), ensuring a consistent one‑click experience.

What this change means for average users​

• It reduces friction when verifying if a problem is the local machine or the upstream internet connection.
• It standardizes a quick measurement flow so non‑technical users don’t have to remember specific websites.
• It integrates with habits: the speed test is now accessible in the same place users look for signal strength and adapter selection.

Critical analysis — strengths and practical drawbacks​

Strengths​

• Discoverability: The system tray placement is smart. When a connection falters, most users already open the network menu; surfacing a test there increases usage and helps non‑technical users gather objective data.
• Maintainability: A web‑backed widget avoids duplicating server infrastructure. Microsoft can update or patch the test independently of Windows updates.
• Cross‑product parity: The same Bing speed‑test experience is reachable from Edge and Bing, promoting consistency across Microsoft’s ecosystem.

Drawbacks and limitations​

• Not a native diagnostic: Because it opens a browser, it won’t help in situations where HTTP/S is broken but lower‑level connectivity exists (for example, if DNS is poisoned or a captive portal blocks the test).
• Measurement variability: Browser‑based tests introduce additional variability — browser extensions, caching, tab throttling, and sandboxing can all slightly skew results compared to a native client.
• Single‑provider funneling: Early builds appear to link to the Bing/Edge widget with no immediate UI option to pick an alternative provider (Speedtest.net, Fast.com, ISP tools). That decision could frustrate users who prefer a different measurement engine.

Accuracy, backends, and the role of Ookla​

• The test will generally provide results comparable to other Speedtest instances, but running inside a browser means additional processing layers may affect timing and throughput measurements.
• For reliable, repeatable testing across networks — required when logging performance for ISPs, SLAs, or lab work — a native client (or a controlled tool such as iperf3 or a dedicated Speedtest client) still produces more consistent results.

Privacy, telemetry, and enterprise concerns​

• Which servers collect the test data?
• Is the test associated with a Microsoft account or device telemetry?
• Does the call reveal client identifiers, IP location, or other metadata to third parties?

Practical guidance — when to rely on the taskbar shortcut and when to use other tools​

• You need a quick, informal check of download/upload or latency.
• You are troubleshooting an immediate connectivity complaint and want a fast number to share with support.
• You prefer the convenience of a one‑click flow and don’t require audited results.

• You need reproducible, auditable measurements (use a native Speedtest client, iperf3, or M‑Lab tools).
• The network prevents normal HTTP/S access (use lower‑level diagnostics like ping, traceroute, or NIC‑level logs).
• You need to test under controlled conditions (specific server, protocol, packet sizes, or parallel streams).

• Run a browser‑based test (taskbar → Bing widget) for a quick baseline.
• Run iperf3 against a known, trusted server to measure raw TCP/UDP throughput under controlled conditions.
• If latency or packet loss is suspected, run repeated pings and traceroutes; capture packet traces with Wireshark if necessary.

Enterprise deployment and management considerations​

• The shortcut is a UI convenience and does not modify network stacks or drivers.
• Group Policy and MDM controls may eventually include toggles to hide or disable the speed‑test entry; early Insider builds don’t show a built‑in administrative switch yet.
• If privacy or telemetry is a concern, standard perimeter controls (blocking the specific Bing tools URL or applying web filtering policies) will prevent the shortcut from successfully loading the web widget.
• When testing at scale, prefer controlled tools (iperf3 servers hosted in the corporate cloud) rather than consumer speed tests.

UX questions Microsoft should address before shipping​

• Will admins be able to disable or redirect the shortcut to an internal speed‑test service?
• Will Microsoft document the telemetry and any associated third‑party data handling?
• Can users choose or configure the test provider (e.g., prefer Fast.com or an ISP tool)?
• Will there be an offline fallback diagnostic path when HTTP is blocked?

Alternatives worth knowing​

• Speedtest by Ookla (native or web): Widely used, reliable, and provides downloadable clients for repeatable tests.
• Fast.com (Netflix): Extremely simple, minimal UI, ideal for quick download checks.
• iperf3: The go‑to tool for controlled measurements in lab and enterprise environments.
• M‑Lab (Measurement Lab): Designed for network researchers and large‑scale measurement with an emphasis on open data.
• Built‑in Windows diagnostics: For device‑level troubleshooting, Windows’ network diagnostic tools and Event Viewer can reveal local issues beyond raw throughput numbers.

User tips and best practices​

• Treat single speed‑test results as indicative, not definitive: run multiple consecutive tests at different times of day for a fuller picture.
• Disable aggressive browser extensions and background downloads during tests to reduce noise.
• When comparing results, use the same test endpoint and client to keep measurements consistent.
• For persistent problems, collect multiple data points (speed tests, ping/traceroute, packet captures) before contacting your ISP or support team.

Final assessment​

Quick reference: what to expect right now​

• Feature: Perform speed test shortcut in the Windows 11 system tray and Wi‑Fi quick settings.
• Behavior: Opens the default browser to the Bing speed‑test widget. Test runs in the browser.
• Insider availability: Observed in Dev/Beta channel builds 26220.6682 and 26120.6682 (KB5065782) distributed to Windows Insiders.
• Backend: The Bing/Edge widget delegates measurement work to established speed‑test infrastructure (notably Ookla’s Speedtest engine).

Background / Overview​

What Microsoft added in Insider builds​

Where you’ll see the new control​

• Right‑click the network (Wi‑Fi / Ethernet) icon in the notification area; a new Perform speed test entry is present in the context menu.
• Left‑click the network icon to open the Wi‑Fi quick settings flyout; a Test internet speed button sits near other quick actions (Wi‑Fi refresh, airplane mode, etc..

Which Insider builds (reported)​

How the feature actually behaves (technical flow)​

• User invokes the control — either by right‑clicking the network icon and selecting Perform speed test, or by clicking the Test internet speed button in the Wi‑Fi quick settings.
• Windows launches the machine’s default browser and navigates to Bing’s Speed Test page (Bing Tools → Speedtest).
• The speed test UI runs in the browser; the user clicks Start to measure download, upload, and latency. Results are displayed in the web UI.

Backend, accuracy, and what actually measures your traffic​

• Browser‑based tests and native client tests often produce different values because of how browsers manage TCP stacks, prefetching, parallelism and HTTP overhead.
• Server selection, connection concurrency, and test duration can differ between providers and between web‑embedded widgets and native clients.
• For contractual or SLA disputes you need reproducible, auditable measurements — which browser‑based tests are less likely to provide by default.

Privacy, telemetry, and security considerations​

• Telemetry and logs are controlled by the web service (Bing) and are subject to Microsoft’s server‑side policies; browsing context (cookies, extensions, enterprise filters) may affect the test’s behavior and the data collected.
• Enterprises with strict data‑handling requirements should be cautious: running the test sends IPs and timing data to external servers controlled by the provider, which may be routed outside corporate monitoring unless proxied.
• The shortcut requires a working HTTP path; in scenarios where the network is down at the HTTP layer (DNS failures, captive portal), the shortcut is effectively unusable as a diagnostic.

Strengths — why this makes sense for most users​

• Immediate discoverability: Placing the launcher in the exact UI users check when connectivity feels off reduces friction and time to diagnosis.
• Low maintenance: By linking to a centrally maintained web tool, Microsoft avoids building and operating a global measurement backend inside Windows, accelerating rollout while minimizing OS complexity.
• Consistent UX: Users get the same test interface across devices and platforms (via Bing/Edge), which simplifies support workflows for home users and help desks.

Limitations and risks — why this is not a replacement for native diagnostics​

• Not auditable or reproducible by default: Browser tests can vary across browsers, system load, and background processes. For ISP disputes or compliance testing, native clients (Speedtest desktop/CLI, iperf3) with server selection and logging are preferable.
• Provider lock and choice: Today the shortcut funnels to Bing’s tool. There is no user‑facing provider selection (e.g., Fast.com, a specific ISP test, or a private internal endpoint). Single‑provider reliance can be problematic for organizations that prefer vendor neutrality.
• Telemetry and data controls: Because the measurement runs on an external web service, organizations that require on‑premises telemetry will find this approach incompatible unless they deploy their own internal tools or intercept the web traffic via an enterprise proxy.
• Dependence on browser and HTTP: Unlike a native diagnostic, the shortcut cannot operate if the browser or web stack is impaired — one of the very scenarios where native tests would be useful.

Enterprise and IT pro implications​

• Use Taskbar → Bing speed test for quick triage and user reassurance.
• For reproducible tests or evidence gathering, run:
• Speedtest CLI (Ookla) with a named server and recorded timestamps, or
• iperf3 between controlled endpoints, and
• netsh / ipconfig / traceroute logs for local diagnostics.
• Decide whether to allow the Bing endpoint in managed networks or to block it if corporate policy forbids external telemetry.
• Update helpdesk scripts to capture the test URL, timestamp, browser used, and any VPN/proxy context, to avoid ambiguous evidence in support escalations.

Alternatives and best practices​

• Native clients: Use the official Speedtest desktop client or CLI for server‑selectable, scriptable, and logged tests.
• iperf3: Best for controlled, point‑to‑point performance measurements inside trusted networks.
• PowerShell tools: Test‑NetConnection and other built‑in cmdlets provide programmatic reachability and basic latency checks without external web traffic.
• Multiple provider corroboration: When accuracy matters, run tests against two independent providers and compare results. Browser tools are convenient but should be corroborated for mission‑critical use.

What Microsoft could do to make this feature enterprise‑ready​

• Add a selectable default provider or an enterprise policy to point the test to internal endpoints.
• Allow exportable logs (CSV/JSON) that include server IDs, test timestamps, and raw throughput for auditability.
• Provide explicit documentation of backend providers, server selection logic, and any telemetry collected when the test runs.
• Offer an offline micro‑benchmark mode that can run minimal, local throughput checks independent of external HTTP access.

How to use it today — quick how‑to​

• Right‑click the network icon in the Taskbar and select Perform speed test, or left‑click the network icon and tap Test internet speed in the Wi‑Fi quick settings.
• Your default browser opens and navigates to Bing’s Speed Test page; click Start to run the measurement.
• Record the timestamp, browser used, and whether a VPN or proxy was active if you need to reuse the result for support or escalation.

Critical analysis — weighing convenience against control​

Flags and unverifiable claims​

• Multiple community reports and press outlets indicate the Bing widget surfaces Speedtest/Ookla infrastructure for measurements; however, Microsoft has not published an authoritative technical statement that definitively confirms the provider in the Taskbar flow. That claim should be treated as plausible but not fully verified.
• Build numbers and exact wording observed in Insider captures are accurate to community reports, but Insider features can be changed, hidden, or removed server‑side prior to public release. Any single build identifier is therefore provisional.

Conclusion​

Background​

What insiders and reporters have found​

Where the control appears​

• Right‑click the network icon in the system tray and look for a Perform speed test entry in the context menu.
• Left‑click the network icon to open Wi‑Fi Quick Settings (the compact flyout) and look for a Test internet speed / speedometer button near the Wi‑Fi refresh and other quick actions.

What the control actually does​

• Selecting the control opens your machine’s default browser and navigates to Bing’s speed‑test widget.
• The test runs in the browser UI and measures download, upload, and latency (ping) using the web widget’s measurement engine; users start the test manually from the web page.

Why Microsoft likely chose a web‑backed launcher​

• Maintainability: Web tools can be updated independently of OS servicing cycles, avoiding frequent Windows updates for small measurement tweaks.
• Reusability: Microsoft already maintains a speed‑test widget in Bing and exposes it through Edge; funneling users to that same endpoint reduces duplication of effort.
• Speed to ship: A shortcut requires only a small UI change inside Windows and can be server‑side gated for Insiders; Microsoft can iterate quickly based on feedback.

Accuracy, reproducibility, and limitations​

• Browser variability: Different browsers and browser versions implement networking stacks differently, which can affect test throughput and latency. Running the test in Edge vs. Chrome vs. Firefox may produce different results.
• Server selection and routing: Web widgets typically choose a nearby public test server automatically. That server selection, routing, and load conditions can change between tests — producing variance that matters for forensic comparisons.
• Lack of exportable metadata: A simple web UI seldom exposes server IDs, raw measurement samples, or a timestamped log suitable for audit trails. Without that metadata, it’s hard to prove a test to a third party. Multiple outlets recommend using dedicated clients (Ookla Speedtest desktop, Speedtest CLI, or iperf3) when provenance matters.
• Dependency on a working browser path: If network issues prevent the browser from loading external pages (captive portals, DNS failures, corporate blocklists), the taskbar shortcut cannot run — precisely the situation when a local diagnostic might be most useful.

Enterprise, privacy, and manageability considerations​

• Telemetry and logging: The test’s network traffic and any telemetry are governed by Bing/Edge web policies, not Windows telemetry channels. Microsoft has not (so far) published a dedicated feature brief detailing what the Bing widget logs when launched via the taskbar shortcut. That gap is significant for privacy‑sensitive or regulated deployments and should be explicitly addressed by Microsoft before organizations adopt the feature as a supported diagnostic tool. Flag: telemetry specifics remain partially unverifiable.
• Policy enforcement: Managed devices can block access to the external widget via normal web filters, proxy rules, or endpoint policies. IT can also prevent Insider builds from being installed on managed estate, which will limit exposure to preview features. Administrators should assess whether to allow the web test, block it, or provide a sanctioned internal testing endpoint.
• Data residency and third‑party exposure: Running tests against public test servers implies external network endpoints are involved; sensitive metadata (IP addresses, timestamps, potential query strings) may cross borders or be retained by third parties. For regulated industries, use on‑premise tools instead.

How to use the taskbar speed test (Insider preview guidance)​

• Click the network icon in the taskbar (system tray).
• Either right‑click the network icon and select Perform speed test, or open the Wi‑Fi Quick Settings and click the Test internet speed button.
• Your default browser opens a new tab with Bing’s speed‑test widget; click Start to run the measurement.

• The test will measure download, upload, and ping as a standard web‑based speed test does.
• If the page fails to load, local diagnostics (netsh wlan show wlanreport, ipconfig /all, ping, tracert) are still the proper next steps.

Alternatives for power users and IT pros​

• Speedtest (Ookla) desktop client or CLI — supports manual server selection, API access, and more consistent measurements across runs.
• iperf3 — ideal for controlled, point‑to‑point throughput tests inside managed networks.
• Netsh / netsh wlan show wlanreport — useful for local wireless diagnostics and event logs.

UX and product design: small change, outsized daily value​

Verification, caveats, and what remains provisional​

• Multiple independent outlets and community captures corroborate the presence of the shortcut in recent Insider builds and the fact that it opens Bing’s web widget.
• Reported build numbers associated with the sightings include 26220.6682 (Dev lineage) and 26120.6682 (Beta lineage), surfaced in mid‑September Insider previews; treat these numbers as provisional because features in Insider channels can be toggled server‑side or adjusted before public release. Flag: build‑level evidence is community reported and subject to change.
• The claim that the Bing widget delegates to Ookla/Speedtest infrastructure is widely reported by independent tech outlets, but Microsoft has not released a dedicated technical brief specifying backend providers for the taskbar‑initiated flow; until Microsoft confirms, that integration should be considered likely but not fully verified. Flag: backend provider specifics are not fully confirmed by Microsoft.

Practical recommendations​

• Home users: use the new taskbar control as a quick sanity check when an app feels slow or you suspect ISP issues. It is fast and discoverable.
• Power users and IT pros: continue to rely on dedicated clients and controlled test endpoints for reproducible measurements, and document internal procedures (server IDs, timestamps, logs) for support escalations.
• Administrators: evaluate Insider ring policies and web filtering/proxy rules to control whether this web‑backed tool is allowed in managed environments. Prepare guidance for support staff about the difference between quick web tests and audited diagnostics.

What to watch next​

• Add provider selection or an option to run a native micro‑benchmark inside Windows (less likely in the short term).
• Publish a feature brief clarifying telemetry collected when the taskbar control opens Bing’s widget (recommended and necessary for enterprise adoption).
• Change the UX placement, verbage, or rollout strategy between Insider and general availability — features visible to Insiders are often iterated on before public release.

Conclusion​

Background / Overview​

What exactly Microsoft shipped into Insider builds​

Where you’ll find the new control​

• Right‑click the network icon (Wi‑Fi or Ethernet) in the taskbar’s notification area and look for Perform speed test in the context menu.
• Left‑click the network icon to open the Wi‑Fi quick settings flyout; a Test internet speed or similar button appears near other quick actions (Wi‑Fi refresh, airplane mode).

What happens when you click it​

• Windows opens the machine’s default browser and navigates to the Bing speed‑test widget. The test itself runs in the browser UI; you click Start to measure download, upload and latency. The taskbar control acts as a launcher — not a local measurement engine.

Which Insider builds have the button (observed)​

Why Microsoft took this approach — the engineering tradeoffs​

• Update agility: Web tools can be updated independently from OS servicing cycles, so fixes and UI changes roll out faster than Windows updates.
• Reuse of infrastructure: Bing’s tools already include a speed test experience that delegates to established backends (notably Speedtest by Ookla). Reusing that avoids building and maintaining global measurement servers inside Windows.
• Smaller OS footprint: Delegating the heavy lifting to the web reduces local code, maintenance and security surface area inside Windows.

What this means for accuracy, reproducibility and enterprise use​

Browser vs native clients — measurable differences​

• network stack and TCP tuning used by the browser,
• thread scheduling and resource contention,
• browser extensions or security settings that alter network behavior,
• default parallelism and connection management implemented by the browser.

Backend server selection matters​

Telemetry and privacy considerations​

How to try it today (Insider checklist)​

• Enroll the test device in the Windows Insider Program and choose the Dev or Beta channel as appropriate. Confirm you have the latest Insider preview updates and the toggle for “get the latest features” switched on.
• Confirm you’re on one of the preview build families that have shown the control (examples reported include 26220.6682 for Dev and 26120.6682 lineage for Beta). Feature availability may vary; the Insider blog and Windows Update will show which build you have installed.
• Click (or right‑click) the network icon in the taskbar. Look for Perform speed test in the context menu, or Test internet speed inside the Wi‑Fi quick settings.
• Your default browser opens to Bing’s speed‑test widget — click Start to run the test. Repeat the test multiple times and compare with other tools if you need verification.

Practical testing tips — get better, more reliable results​

• Prefer wired (Ethernet) for accuracy. Wi‑Fi variability — signal, interference and roaming — will skew results. Use Ethernet if you want to measure ISP performance rather than Wi‑Fi.
• Kill or pause bandwidth consumers. Stop cloud backups, streaming, large downloads and video conferencing before testing. Close background browser tabs and apps that may consume the link.
• Repeat the test and use the median. Run 3–5 tests over a short window and use the median throughput to reduce outlier influence.
• Test from multiple providers/clients. Cross‑check Bing’s test with Ookla’s Speedtest (web or app), Fast.com and an iperf3 test to isolate variables.
• Record evidence for disputes. If measuring for an ISP complaint, capture timestamps, server IDs, and screenshots; prefer CLI clients that produce JSON logs for forensic purposes.

Better alternatives when you need repeatability or automation​

• Speedtest CLI (Ookla): Official command‑line client; supports server selection, JSON output and scripting. Good for scheduled logging via Task Scheduler or monitoring systems.
• iperf3: For LAN or router ↔ PC throughput testing, iperf3 runs on two endpoints and measures raw TCP/UDP throughput without public test servers in between — ideal to isolate Wi‑Fi or local network problems.
• Official Speedtest apps: Speedtest by Ookla has a Windows app available from the Microsoft Store that runs inside Windows and can show results and notifications without switching to a browser.
• ISP portals and router diagnostics: Some ISPs provide hosted diagnostic pages or router‑side tests that measure to the provider’s edge nodes and can be more relevant in a service‑level discussion.

• Install the official Speedtest CLI for Windows.
• Create a scheduled task to run speedtest.exe --accept-license --format json --server <server_id> and redirect output to a dated JSON file.
• Store logs centrally or upload to your monitoring solution for trend analysis and SLA verification.

Strengths: why the taskbar shortcut is useful​

• Immediate discoverability: Placing a speed test where users already look when connectivity seems off removes friction; many non‑technical users will now find a speed check with one click.
• Reduced support friction: Help desks and support staff can instruct users to click the same taskbar control to gather a quick snapshot before escalating.
• Low maintenance for Microsoft: The web‑backed model lets Microsoft adjust server endpoints and UI without shipping OS updates. That reduces maintenance overhead while delivering a consistent consumer experience.

Risks and limitations — what to watch out for​

• Not a native diagnostic: If the network problem prevents the browser from loading pages, the taskbar button will not help. It requires a functioning HTTP/HTTPS path to the test service.
• Browser‑dependent variability: Results will vary across browsers and system loads; comparisons between browser tests and native clients may not be apples‑to‑apples.
• Perception of vendor steering: Routing users to Bing’s tool may be perceived as favoritism or product steering; enterprises might prefer neutrality and the ability to pick their own test backends.
• Telemetry and auditability: Web providers may log tests; without exportable raw metadata (server IDs, timestamps, connection tuples), the test lacks audit trails needed in some professional contexts.

What Microsoft could (and should) add​

• Add an in‑OS native test mode or an option to run the test via a local built‑in tool that can export JSON/CSV logs. This would remove browser variability and allow offline microbenchmarks.
• Provide provider choice and server selection or at least document the backend(s) used by the Bing tool and how servers are chosen.
• Implement exportable logs (server IDs, latency samples, timestamps, thread counts) for reproducibility and dispute resolution.
• Offer an MDM/GPO policy to control or deny the feature for managed devices, and an auditable telemetry opt‑out for enterprise environments.

How to interpret numbers you see in the Bing test​

• Download / Upload (Mbps): Peak throughput measured during the test window. Single runs may reflect transient conditions; prefer medians or time‑series for conclusions.
• Latency (ms): Round‑trip time to the selected server. High ping with low throughput can point to different issues (routing vs saturated link).
• Server selection: Results depend heavily on which test server was used; closer, less loaded servers usually show better throughput and lower latency. Verify server ID when comparing tests.

Verdict — a welcome convenience, not a replacement for professional diagnostics​

Quick reference — what to do right now​

• If you’re curious, join the Windows Insider Program and check whether your device received build 26220.6682 (Dev) or the appropriate Beta lineage build.
• Use the taskbar control for fast checks; treat it as a sanity check, not a formal measurement.
• For disputes or enterprise monitoring, use Speedtest CLI, iperf3 or vendor‑backed portal tests that provide auditable logs.

Background​

What changed in the taskbar and quick settings​

Where you’ll see the new control​

• The right‑click context menu on the network icon in the system tray — alongside options such as Network troubleshooter and Network settings.
• Inside the Wi‑Fi quick‑settings flyout (left‑click the network icon) as a small Test internet speed button near the Wi‑Fi refresh and quick actions.

How it behaves when you click​

Technical implications and verification​

Is the test “native” to Windows 11?​

Which Insider builds include the control?​

Which web service runs the test?​

Why Microsoft likely chose a web‑backed approach​

• Update the test and server logic independently of OS servicing cycles.
• Reuse one test endpoint across multiple products (Bing, Edge, system UI) for consistent results.
• Avoid duplicating engineering effort when reliable third‑party test engines already exist.

Benefits for everyday users​

• Immediate discoverability: the test is now where most users go when they notice connectivity issues, reducing the need to remember specific websites.
• Low friction: one or two clicks launches a test in the browser, no app install required.
• Consistency: using Bing’s tool (which historically integrates established backends) means users will generally get reliable baseline numbers comparable to other common web tests.

Limitations and operational risks​

• Dependence on the browser: if the default browser is misconfigured, blocked by policy, or affected by extensions, the shortcut may fail or produce misleading results.
• Reliance on HTTP access: diagnostic value collapses if the network error itself blocks HTTP(S) — a captive portal, DNS failure, or proxy misconfiguration can stop the test from even loading.
• Telemetry and privacy: launching a web test sends metadata to the test provider (server selection, client IP ranges, potentially ISP tags); organizations with strict egress controls will need to evaluate whether this fits policy.
• Regional availability and blocks: a web service can be geo‑restricted or subject to ISP/authority blocks, making the shortcut unusable in some regions.
• Perception vs. precision: browser‑based tests and native measurement engines may select different test servers or concurrency models, producing results that diverge from what an in‑appliance or managed test would show.

Practical guidance: how to use the shortcut responsibly​

• If you see the option: right‑click the network/system‑tray icon and select Perform speed test, or open the Wi‑Fi quick‑settings flyout and click Test internet speed.
• Confirm the browser that opens is truly your default browser and that its privacy settings and extensions won’t interfere with test accuracy.
• Run multiple tests (3–5) over a period of minutes to average out short‑term variance.
• If you need higher‑precision or persistent measurement (for example, to dispute an ISP SLA), follow up with a native Speedtest app or a managed monitoring service that supports scheduled tests and server selection.
• If the shortcut fails to load, try manually navigating to another website to confirm general HTTP access before assuming the issue is the upstream link.

What this means for power users, IT admins and enthusiasts​

• Policy controls: ensure group policy and firewall rules account for the new outbound behavior if your environment blocks or filters web testing tools.
• Visibility and trust: consider whether remote help‑desk procedures should instruct users to use a web test or a managed internal test host to maintain consistent server choice.
• Communication: update documentation and user KBs to explain what the shortcut does and how to interpret results, especially when diagnostic workflows expect different metrics from internal monitoring.

Rollout prospects and what to watch​

• Microsoft keeps the web‑backed shortcut as a low‑maintenance convenience and ships it broadly.
• Feedback from enterprise customers or privacy advocates prompts a toggle or policy setting to disable/redirect the shortcut.
• Microsoft later implements a native in‑OS measurement engine for environments that need offline diagnostics or telemetry‑free results.

Verification notes and disputed points​

• Multiple independent outlets and Insider captures confirm the shortcut’s presence and behavior (opening the Bing speed‑test page). Major reporters include Windows Central, Tom’s Hardware and TechSpot, among others. Those sources corroborate the basic flow and UI placements.
• Build numbers and channel coverage vary slightly across reports. Some writeups cite specific preview build numbers (e.g., 26220.6682 and 26120.6682/K B5065782) while community posts mention Canary/Dev/Beta collectively. Treat build numbers as approximate markers of the Insider timeframe; exact distribution will depend on Microsoft’s internal merges and the date you check. This is an area where the public information is changing quickly and should be re‑verified if you rely on a particular build ID.
• Mezha.Media and other outlets reported the same behavioral detail and noted the browser redirection to Bing; however, Mezha also listed Canary explicitly. The broader reporting pattern tends to emphasize Dev and Beta builds, with Canary sometimes included by region or test cohort. Because channel coverage can be inconsistent between outlets and test machines, lab verification is recommended before citing channel scope definitively. Flag: Canary inclusion is plausible but not uniformly reported; consider it unverified until Microsoft publishes the rollout channels.
• The historic connection between Bing’s speed‑test widget and Speedtest by Ookla has been documented previously, and Bing’s tools page currently hosts a speed‑test page. That corroboration supports the assertion that users may be routed to an Ookla‑backed test via Bing’s UI — but the exact provider for a given Bing test instance can be updated by Microsoft. Flag: provider mappings are subject to change and should be re‑checked if your workflow depends on a specific backend.

Security and privacy checklist for administrators​

• Audit outbound rules and proxies to ensure the Bing speed‑test endpoint is allowed only if you accept external test telemetry.
• Consider a controlled internal test host for managed diagnostics if you must avoid third‑party endpoints.
• Educate help‑desk staff on interpreting web test results and on differences between browser‑launched tests and managed monitoring.
• If you permit the shortcut for users, document the expected browser behavior and any extensions that should be disabled temporarily (ad‑blockers, privacy extensions) to avoid skewed results.

The UX tradeoff: convenience vs control​

Conclusion​

Background​

What has been found in Insider builds​

Where the UI appears​

• Right‑click the network (system tray) icon and look for Perform speed test in the context menu.
• Left‑click the network icon to open the Wi‑Fi Quick Settings flyout; a Test internet speed button sits near the Wi‑Fi refresh and other quick actions.

How the control behaves​

• Windows opens the system’s default browser.
• The browser navigates to Bing’s speed‑test widget.
• The user manually starts the test from the web UI and sees download/upload/latency results.

Why Microsoft likely implemented it this way​

Practical engineering tradeoffs​

• Low maintenance: A web endpoint can be updated independently of OS servicing cycles. Microsoft can iterate the test UI and backend without shipping a cumulative update.
• Reusability: The same Bing/Edge tool can be reused across products and surfaces. That reduces duplicated engineering work.
• Global infrastructure avoidance: Running accurate speed tests requires geographic server selection, hosting test endpoints worldwide, and maintaining measurement logic. Delegating this to a web service (and to a third‑party engine like Ookla) avoids building and operating that global stack inside Windows.

UX benefits​

What this is not: limitations and practical implications​

Not a native diagnostic engine​

Accuracy and reproducibility concerns​

• Browser variability: Different browsers and extensions can affect how web‑based tests behave, introducing variability not present in native clients.
• Server selection: Web widgets commonly delegate server selection to the measurement backend. Power users and IT pros often need control over which test server is used and the ability to record server IDs and timestamps for disputes with ISPs. The current launcher does not expose that level of control.
• Telemetry and privacy: Running a speed test via Bing surfaces metadata to Microsoft and the chosen backend. Organizations with stringent privacy or telemetry rules will want clarity on what is sent and how it can be disabled or controlled centrally. This behavior is not yet documented in preview materials.

Enterprise management & auditing​

Verification and provenance of the claims​

Critical analysis: strengths, risks, and unanswered questions​

Strengths​

• Discoverability: The Taskbar is the natural place to check connectivity. The placement reduces support friction and helps less technical users get objective numbers quickly.
• Speed to ship and iterate: Web‑backed tools allow rapid UI/backend changes without OS patches. Microsoft can update server endpoints or measurement heuristics server‑side.
• Consistent user journey: By funneling users to Bing, Microsoft keeps the same diagnostic UI across search, Edge, and now system shortcuts, which lowers cognitive load for users who have seen the Bing speed test before.

Risks and downsides​

• Perception of vendor lock‑in / promotion: Routing a core troubleshooting action to Bing inside the OS can be perceived as product promotion rather than a neutral diagnostic capability. Some commentary already frames the control as a subtle way to surface Bing. That perception matters for user trust.
• Limited value for professionals: Without exportable logs, server selection, or offline micro‑benchmarks, the shortcut is useless for forensic analysis, SLA disputes, or regulated environments.
• Security and privacy tradeoffs: A web test exposes metadata to Microsoft and the backend provider. Organizations will want precise documentation of what data is collected and whether the feature can be disabled via group policy or MDM. That documentation does not yet appear in preview release notes.

Unanswered questions Microsoft should clarify​

• Will IT admins be able to disable or replace the shortcut via policy?
• Will Microsoft offer an official native speed‑test client or an exportable diagnostic mode for enterprise telemetry and auditing?
• Which backend providers are used in all regions, and how is server selection performed (e.g., proximity, latency, custom peering)?

Practical guidance for users and IT professionals​

For casual users​

• Use the Taskbar shortcut for a fast sanity check: it tells you whether download and upload throughput look roughly in line with expectations. For most home troubleshooting, that is sufficient.

For power users and IT pros​

• Treat the Taskbar launcher as a convenience, not definitive evidence.
• For reproducible or auditable testing, run dedicated clients:
• Speedtest by Ookla desktop app (or the web UI with explicit server selection).
• iperf3 for controlled throughput testing between endpoints you manage.
• Router‑level diagnostics and SNMP/counters for sustained throughput measurements.
• When preparing evidence for an ISP, capture timestamps, server IDs, test tool versions, and raw logs. The Taskbar test lacks those export features.

For system administrators​

• Monitor Insider release notes and Microsoft Docs for policy controls. At preview stage, feature flags for OS UI elements are often implemented server‑side; Microsoft typically adds policies later if an enterprise need exists. Assume you will want the ability to block or audit this feature across managed devices.

Alternatives and complementary tools​

• Speedtest (Ookla) — The de facto public measurement engine with apps and web UI; allows server selection and historical results.
• Fast.com — Lightweight, simple, consumer‑oriented by Netflix; good for quick checks but lacks export/audit features.
• iperf3 — Command‑line, server/client model ideal for controlled lab and enterprise environments.
• Router/ISP diagnostic pages — Useful for measuring link speed and session errors from the network edge.
• Third‑party taskbar meters (NetSpeedMonitor, TrafficMonitor) — Provide continuous throughput display rather than ad hoc tests.

How this fits into Microsoft’s broader strategy​

Recommended improvements Microsoft should consider​

• Add an option for a native mode that runs a local micro‑benchmark and records server ID, timestamp, and interface metadata for export. This would bridge the gap between convenience and auditability.
• Provide explicit group policy and MDM controls to disable or redirect the Taskbar launcher to an internal corporate tool.
• Surface a simple “what’s collected” panel showing telemetry and data shared with Bing/third‑party providers before the test runs. Transparency reduces privacy concerns and builds trust.
• Offer provider selection or an enterprise backend endpoint option for organizations that operate their own test servers. This would make the feature genuinely useful in managed networks.

What to watch next​

• Whether Microsoft ships the feature widely or changes its behavior based on Insider feedback. Features in Dev/ Beta channels can be tweaked, rolled back, or enhanced before reaching general availability.
• Documentation from Microsoft clarifying telemetry and administrative controls. Until Microsoft publishes these details, evaluate the Taskbar control as a consumer convenience only.
• Any move from Microsoft to add native measurement capabilities or a local diagnostic mode that complements the web widget. That would be the logical evolution if enterprise demand is high.

Conclusion​

Background​

Why this matters now​

What Microsoft has published​

What the new taskbar speed test actually does​

Two places you’ll see it​

• Right‑click the network (system tray) icon: a new Perform speed test (or similarly labeled) entry appears in the context menu.
• Inside the Wi‑Fi quick settings flyout: a small Test internet speed button sits near the refresh/quick‑action area.

How it runs​

• Selecting the taskbar action does not start a native, in‑OS measurement engine. Instead, Windows opens your system’s default browser and navigates to Bing’s internet speed test page, where the usual download, upload, and ping measurements are available. In other words, the taskbar control is a launcher for a web‑hosted speed test rather than an internal diagnostic tool.

Likely backend and implementation tradeoffs​

Strengths: what this brings to Windows users​

• Instant discoverability: A speed check is now one or two clicks away from the exact UI where people already go to inspect networks. That reduces support friction for front‑line troubleshooting.
• Low maintenance for Microsoft: By funneling to a web tool (Bing), Microsoft can update UI and measurement logic without pushing OS cumulative updates.
• Consistent consumer experience: The Bing widget is already accessible via search and Edge sidebar shortcuts; the taskbar launcher reuses a familiar experience that many users already recognize.

Limits and risks: why this is not a substitute for professional diagnostics​

Browser dependence​

Measurement variability​

• Browser stacks introduce variability (different networking stacks, extensions, or proxy settings can affect throughput).
• Server selection matters: test results depend heavily on which server the widget chooses; different servers yield different latencies and throughput.
• VPNs, corporate proxies, content filtering, or QoS rules can skew browser results compared with a native CLI client or iperf3 test. Independent comparisons have shown small but meaningful differences between embedded browser tests and native Speedtest clients. For reproducible, auditable testing (ISP disputes, SLA verification), use dedicated clients or controlled endpoints.

Telemetry and data egress​

Enterprise control and policy​

• Test the behavior in pilot rings.
• Update help‑desk scripts and documentation.
• If necessary, implement network‑level blocking or create an internal support tool that supplants the browser‑based test.

Practical guidance: how to use the shortcut and when to use alternatives​

Quick checklist for casual use​

• Click the Wi‑Fi/network icon in the taskbar.
• Choose Perform speed test or press the small Test internet speed button in the flyout.
• Your default browser opens to Bing’s speed test; click Start to run the test and view Download, Upload, and Ping results.

When you should rely on other tools​

• Supplier disputes or SLA claims: use vendor clients (Speedtest CLI), iperf3, or ISP‑provided test pages that produce server IDs, timestamps, and logs.
• Controlled internal measurements: use iperf3 with a known endpoint inside your test network to measure raw throughput without external variables.
• Audit/logging requirements: use CLI utilities that can output CSV/JSON logs for archiving and evidence.

• Speedtest by Ookla (desktop app or CLI) for reproducible server selection.
• Fast.com for a very simple downstream‑only check.
• iperf3 for point‑to‑point controlled testing.

Security, privacy, and admin considerations​

What IT admins should review now​

• Egress rules: Ensure firewalls, proxies, and endpoint protections either allow the Bing speed‑test endpoints (if you accept external telemetry) or block them if internal policy forbids such tests.
• Help‑desk processes: Update troubleshooting guides to explain the shortcut and to instruct users on when to escalate to CLI/native tests.
• Group policy / MDM: Monitor Microsoft’s enterprise documentation and the Insider release notes for any forthcoming management controls; pilot the update in a controlled ring before broad deployment.

Privacy checklist​

• Assume the test exchanges metadata with the server operator (ISP detection, test server ID, IP address).
• If privacy tools or extensions are in use, advise users to disable them temporarily for the test to avoid false negatives.
• For privacy‑sensitive environments, prefer internal measurement tools that don’t send data to third‑party endpoints.

What Microsoft could do next (reasonable improvements to watch for)​

• Provider choice: Allow users or admins to select preferred speed‑test providers (Bing, Ookla, Fast.com, ISP page).
• Exportable logs: Offer an option to export test metadata (server ID, timestamp, RTT, throughput) as CSV/JSON for audits.
• Local microbenchmarks: Add an optional native microbenchmark that runs in the OS for offline or captive‑portal scenarios.
• Management controls: Expose Group Policy/MDM options to enable/disable the taskbar control and to whitelist/blacklist outgoing test endpoints.

Cross‑checking the key claims (verification)​

• The taskbar speed‑test shortcut has been observed in Insider preview builds and reported by mainstream outlets; community evidence ties it to build families 26220.6682 (Dev) and 26120.* Beta lineage, which were released to Insiders in mid‑September 2025. Microsoft’s Insider blog confirms the Dev channel checkpoint (Build 26220.6682, KB5065782) and the enablement package model used for rolling features.
• The shortcut opens Bing’s speed test in the default browser rather than running a native OS test. This behavior is corroborated by multiple independent outlets and by the Bing Tools speedtest page itself.
• Reporting that Bing’s embedded speed test uses Speedtest by Ookla as its backend is widely documented and has been in place since Microsoft integrated Ookla’s test into Bing in prior years; however, the exact provider and mapping for every region can change, and Microsoft hasn’t made a binding public guarantee that the taskbar‑launched test will always use the same backend. Treat the Ookla link as well documented but subject to change.

Bottom line​

Background / Overview​

Where you’ll actually find the button​

• Right‑click the network icon in the taskbar notification area (system tray) and look for a Perform speed test entry in the context menu.
• Left‑click the network icon to open the Wi‑Fi quick‑settings flyout; a Test internet speed or similar button sits near the Wi‑Fi refresh and other quick actions.

How the shortcut works — step‑by‑step​

• Click or right‑click the network icon in the taskbar.
• Select Perform speed test from the context menu or tap the Test internet speed tile in the Wi‑Fi flyout.
• Windows opens the default web browser and loads Bing’s Speed Test page.
• Click Start in the Bing widget to run download, upload and latency measurements.
• Review the results and, if necessary, re‑run or cross‑check with another test provider.

What the test measures (and what it doesn’t)​

• The Bing speed‑test widget presents the standard trio of measurements:
• Download throughput (Mbps)
• Upload throughput (Mbps)
• Round‑trip latency / ping (ms)
  These are the values most people associate with “speed tests.”
• The widget — as integrated across Microsoft properties — generally delegates the heavy lifting to an established measurement engine (reports indicate it uses Speedtest by Ookla under the hood in many places). That means the UI you see is Bing’s, but the backend measurement infrastructure is a familiar third‑party engine.
• What it does not provide:
• Native, OS‑level measurement hooks or offline diagnostics that run regardless of browser connectivity.
• Exportable, auditable logs tied to a Windows diagnostic timeline (for example, event log entries or centrally collected telemetry scoped for enterprise reporting).
• Built‑in selection of private or corporate test servers (the web widget selects public measurement servers).

Why Microsoft likely chose a web‑backed approach​

• Faster updates: Web tools can be improved independently of OS release cycles, enabling quicker fixes and UI changes.
• Reuse of existing investments: Bing and Edge already surface a speed‑test widget, so Windows can funnel users to an existing endpoint rather than rebuilding server selection logic.
• Lower OS complexity: No need to embed measurement servers, scheduling, or extra maintenance burden in Windows itself.

Accuracy and reproducibility: what to expect​

• Browser behavior, extensions, proxy settings, and caching can influence results. Running the same test in different browsers can yield slightly different numbers.
• A single test snapshot can be affected by background traffic (cloud backups, updates, streaming), Wi‑Fi variability, and transient network congestion. For more reliable results, follow testing best practices (below).
• For contractual or SLA disputes, courts and ISPs often prefer hosted logs or tests executed from provider‑approved endpoints. The Bing widget’s browser results are convenient but may not carry the same weight as formal ISP measurements or router logs.

Practical tips to get reliable readings​

• Close bandwidth‑hungry apps (cloud sync, streaming, large downloads) before testing.
• Prefer a wired (Ethernet) connection when testing to eliminate Wi‑Fi variability.
• Run multiple tests and use the median value rather than a single reading. Three runs over five minutes is typically a good baseline.
• If you need to capture evidence, take screenshots with timestamps and test from multiple providers (Bing/Ookla, Fast.com, ISP portal).
• For reproducibility and scheduled monitoring, use an official CLI (Speedtest CLI by Ookla) or an internal monitoring tool rather than the browser widget.

Alternatives for power users and IT admins​

• Speedtest CLI (Ookla): Scriptable, selectable test servers, JSON output for logging. Ideal for scheduled, auditable tests.
• iperf3: Peer‑to‑peer LAN or WAN measurements between controlled endpoints to isolate Wi‑Fi or router issues. Use this when you need raw throughput between two machines on the same network.
• Router / ISP portal tests: Many ISPs expose edge tests that measure to the provider’s network edge and are useful for formal disputes.
• PowerShell Test‑NetConnection: Good for scripted connectivity checks (ping, TCP port reachability) but not a full throughput tool.

Enterprise, privacy, and manageability implications​

• Provider choice and corporate policy: The current shortcut funnels users to Bing. Enterprises that require internal test endpoints or want to avoid external testing should plan to continue using managed tools or request MDM/Group Policy controls if Microsoft exposes them in the future.
• Telemetry and privacy: Because the test runs in a browser against web servers, normal web telemetry applies. Microsoft has not published a dedicated privacy FAQ for this specific Taskbar launcher, so administrators should assume standard web request metadata (IP, headers) will be visible to the test endpoint and validate any broader telemetry expectations with official documentation. Flag: any deeper claims about telemetry retention or sharing remain unverified until Microsoft publishes explicit guidance.
• Captive portals and offline scenarios: The launcher is useless if the network prevents the browser from loading the page. For networks with captive portals or strict DNS filters, embedded or local diagnostics remain necessary.

UX and accessibility analysis — why discovery matters​

How to try it today (insider checklist)​

• Join the Windows Insider Program and enable the Dev or Beta channel if you want early access; the Taskbar shortcut has been reported in recent Insider preview builds. Be aware builds are experimental and may change.
• Confirm your device received the relevant preview update (community reporting has tied the button to mid‑September Insider flights). Treat reported build numbers as provisional; Insider features can be toggled server‑side.
• Use the Taskbar flow to launch the test and then cross‑check with another provider for confirmation.

Risks, unanswered questions and what to watch for​

• Will Microsoft add enterprise controls (MDM/Group Policy) to block or redirect the shortcut? Administrators will want the ability to force a corporate test endpoint or disable external launches. This remains an open request until Microsoft documents such controls.
• Will Microsoft publish a privacy/telemetry FAQ for the shortcut? Users deserve clarity on what is logged by Bing’s widget and how long that data is retained. This has not been verified in official documentation yet.
• Will the taskbar launcher evolve into a native, exportable diagnostic with local measurement options? Community feedback will determine whether Microsoft keeps this as a simple web launcher or invests in a more robust in‑OS measurement capability.

Conclusion — small idea, outsized daily value​

Background / Overview​

What Microsoft added (what you actually see)​

UI placement and discoverability​

• Right‑click the network (Wi‑Fi / Ethernet) icon in the taskbar’s notification area. You may see a Perform speed test entry in the context menu.
• Left‑click the same network icon to open the Wi‑Fi quick settings flyout; a Test internet speed button may be visible near other quick actions (Wi‑Fi refresh, airplane mode, etc..

What the buttons do​

• Click the network icon or right‑click it.
• Select Perform speed test or press the quick‑settings Test internet speed button.
• Windows launches the default browser and opens Bing’s Speed Test page.
• The speed test runs inside the browser tab; you click Start to initiate download/upload/latency measurements.

Technical anatomy: why this is a web shortcut, not a native test​

• Fast iteration: web tools can be updated independently of Windows servicing cycles.
• Lower OS footprint: no need to ship and maintain local measurement servers, selection logic, or a measurement service.
• Consistent UX: the same Bing widget can be surfaced from multiple Microsoft touchpoints.

Cross‑checking the claims (verification)​

• The taskbar shortcut exists in Insider builds and appears in the right‑click menu and the Wi‑Fi flyout: verified by Insider build notes and multiple independent press captures.
• Selecting the control opens Bing’s speed‑test page in the default browser: corroborated by hands‑on reports and screenshots from preview testers.
• The Bing widget delegates measurement to an established third‑party engine (historically Ookla): supported by independent technical write‑ups and prior Bing/Edge integrations. This claim is well‑attested but can be considered provisional in the sense that provider mappings may change; treat backend specifics as subject to confirmation.

Strengths: why this is a useful addition​

• Discoverability and convenience. Many users don’t know which website to visit for a speed test. Putting a one‑click launcher in the network menu reduces friction for everyday triage.
• Consistency with Microsoft’s direction. Microsoft has been moving lighter‑weight diagnostics and consumer utilities to web‑backed tools; this fits that pattern and lets the company iterate without shipping OS updates.
• Low maintenance overhead. Delegating measurements to an existing web tool avoids shipping and maintaining global test servers or test server selection logic in the OS.
• Good for frontline support. Helpdesk agents can standardize on a single, easily reachable test path when guiding callers through connectivity checks.

Limitations and risks — what power users and IT should know​

• Not auditable or reproducible for disputes. Browser‑based tests often lack exportable, signed logs and server selection control, making them unsuitable for contractual or SLA disputes. Use dedicated CLI/native tools like Speedtest CLI, iperf3, or vendor portals when you need auditable evidence.
• Browser, extension and environment variability. Test results can vary with the browser chosen as default, active extensions, parallel downloads, and system resource contention. That introduces measurement noise.
• Dependency on web connectivity. If the computer’s HTTP path is broken, the shortcut cannot perform a test — the test’s operational envelope is limited to situations where the browser can reach Bing’s tools page.
• Telemetry and privacy considerations. Because the test is web‑hosted, the backend provider may collect metadata (IP, timestamps, server IDs). Microsoft has not published granular telemetry details for the shortcut flow in the Insider notes; organizations should treat telemetry implications as provisional pending official documentation.
• Provider lock‑in (single provider exposure). The button currently points to Bing’s test; there is no UI to choose a different provider (Fast.com, Ookla direct, TestMy.net). That reduces choice for users who prefer alternate meters.

Practical guidance: how to treat and use the new shortcut​

• For everyday checks: use the taskbar shortcut as a fast sanity check when an app seems slow or buffering. It’s the quickest way for a non‑technical user to get a ballpark of download/upload and latency.
• For troubleshooting and escalation:
• Reproduce the test at different times of day and collect multiple samples.
• Cross‑check with a native client (Speedtest CLI) or iperf3 to confirm results.
• Capture supporting diagnostics — ipconfig /all, netsh wlan show wlanreport, ping/tracert — before contacting an ISP.
• For enterprise / managed devices: pilot the change in a controlled ring and update internal troubleshooting guides to specify which test is considered “authoritative” for support workflows. Consider blocking or restricting the feature if your security policy forbids automatic web launches from system UI.

A short comparison: taskbar shortcut vs common alternatives​

• Taskbar shortcut (Bing web widget)
• Pros: immediate, discoverable, no install, browser‑agnostic.
• Cons: not auditable, browser variability, dependent on web connectivity.
• Speedtest CLI (Ookla) / Speedtest desktop app
• Pros: selectable server, CLI automation, logs, reproducible for reports.
• Cons: needs installation, slightly higher user skill requirement.
• Fast.com (Netflix)
• Pros: minimal UI, one‑click, reliable for download throughput.
• Cons: limited metrics (upload/latency are secondary), limited server control.
• iperf3 (native)
• Pros: fully controlled endpoint testing, ideal for internal network validation.
• Cons: requires a reachable iperf server, more technical to configure.

Enterprise considerations and suggested Microsoft improvements​

• Provider choice — allow admins/users to choose the default speed‑test provider or point the launcher to an internal, corporate test endpoint.
• Exportable logs — add an option to save raw measurements (CSV/JSON) with server IDs and timestamps for auditing.
• Administrative controls — Group Policy/MDM controls to enable/disable the launcher and to centrally specify the target test endpoint.
• Telemetry transparency — publish documentation detailing what telemetry is collected when users invoke the test.

What to expect next​

• Keep it as a web shortcut and leave the behavior largely unchanged.
• Add management options, provider selection, or a native micro‑benchmark mode in later flights.
• Remove or reword the control based on Insider feedback.

Final assessment​

Background​

What Microsoft is shipping in Insider builds (what you’ll see)​

• A new Perform speed test entry in the network/system tray context menu.
• A Speed test button in the Wi‑Fi quick settings panel (the panel that opens from the network icon on the taskbar).
• When invoked, the control opens your default browser and navigates to Bing’s speed‑test page to conduct the measurement. The result display and the measurement logic are delivered from the web widget.

How the flow behaves (step‑by‑step)​

• Left‑click the network icon on the taskbar to open the Quick Settings panel or right‑click the system tray network icon to open the context menu.
• Click the Speed test button or select Perform speed test from the context menu.
• Your default browser launches and loads Bing’s speed‑test interface; you then start the test from within the browser tab or sidebar.

Why Microsoft chose a web‑backed approach​

• A web‑hosted test requires no OS servicing to update server lists, measurement logic, or UI, allowing the provider to evolve the test independently of Windows update cycles.
• It significantly reduces engineering and infrastructure costs: accurate speed testing needs geographically distributed servers and continuous maintenance to avoid biases and stale server mappings.
• Embedding a web widget lets Microsoft reuse existing tools already integrated in Bing and Edge, accelerating rollout while delivering a familiar interface to many users.

Who powers the test? The engine behind Bing’s speed test​

What this means for speedtest sites and the ecosystem​

• The taskbar button opens one specific web test (Bing’s); there’s no user‑selectable provider option exposed in the UI, so power users and professionals who prefer other test backends will still use dedicated sites or apps.
• Dedicated speed‑test sites and tools offer features Microsoft’s quick path does not: server selection, testing schedules, historical logging, exportable results, API access, and deeper diagnostic metrics (packet capture, jitter analysis, multi‑stream testing).
• Enterprises and network engineers typically rely on instrumented, repeatable tests (including M‑Lab, Ookla, Fast.com, local loopback tests) to diagnose complex problems; a single web widget won’t replace that workflow.

Accuracy, methodology and limitations​

• Browser overhead and background activity can influence results; other apps consuming bandwidth will reduce available throughput for the test.
• Tests measure the path between your device and the chosen test server at that moment — they do not represent sustained throughput across all routes.
• If the browser cannot load the web widget because of DNS failure, captive portals (hotel/Wi‑Fi logins), or severe HTTP stack problems, the shortcut will not help because the flow requires an operational HTTP channel.

Privacy, telemetry and compliance concerns​

• The test exposes your public IP address and routes test traffic to remote servers run by the test provider; metadata about tests (timestamp, geographic region, server used) may be logged by the provider.
• Organizations with strict data handling policies or network measurement restrictions need to evaluate whether sending measurement traffic (and correlated telemetry) to third‑party servers complies with policy.
• The web flow could circumvent or complicate internal monitoring: if endpoint tests are required to run against corporate measurement endpoints, a browser‑backed external test will not substitute.

Deployment and rollout expectations​

• The feature could appear as reported, launching Bing’s web speed test from the taskbar.
• Microsoft could expand the flow (for example, offering multiple provider options or integrating more diagnostic telemetry) before public release.
• The company could also delay or remove the change based on user feedback gathered during the Insider cycle.

User impact: who benefits and who should be cautious​

• Home users and helpdesk staff who need a fast, visual way to confirm whether an internet connection is working and roughly how fast it is.
• Non‑technical users who find the current process (open browser → search for “speed test” → pick a site) awkward or confusing.

• IT administrators, security teams, and compliance officers in organizations that require internal control over network measurement traffic.
• Users who require high‑precision, reproducible throughput measurements for troubleshooting, SLA verification, or forensic work.
• Anyone who doesn’t want their public IP and test metadata reaching third‑party servers by default during a routine check.

Alternatives and complementary tools​

• Speedtest by Ookla (web and dedicated clients) — broad server network, configurable settings, exportable results.
• Fast.com (Netflix) — simple, minimalist measurement focused on download throughput, useful for media streaming checks.
• M‑Lab (Measurement Lab) — open, research‑grade measurements used in academic and regulatory contexts.
• ISP‑provided speed meters — some ISPs host their own endpoints to measure performance to the ISP’s infrastructure.
• Local CLI tools and packet captures (iperf, tcpdump) — for in‑depth diagnostics and reproducible testing in lab conditions.

Developer and power‑user recommendations​

• Treat the Windows 11 speed‑test launcher as a first‑look diagnostic: use it to quickly rule out total outages and get a baseline number.
• For reproducible results and troubleshooting, use a dedicated test client (Ookla, iperf, or an enterprise measurement tool) and document test times, server choices, and network conditions.
• If you manage devices at scale, inform users about what the taskbar control does and whether it is permitted under corporate policy; consider firewall or proxy rules if you need to restrict outbound test traffic.
• Monitor the Insider feedback channels — the feature is still in preview and may gain options or settings before public release.

Microsoft’s responsibilities and open questions​

• Will the final implementation provide an option to pick a preferred speed‑test provider or to disable the quick‑launch entirely?
• How will Microsoft document the privacy and telemetry implications of running the test from the taskbar?
• Will enterprises be able to centrally manage or disable the shortcut through Group Policy or Intune?
• If Microsoft continues to route the shortcut to Bing’s web widget, will it document the measurement backend and server selection behavior so users can interpret results correctly?

Practical walkthrough: test it responsibly (quick checklist)​

• Confirm you are comfortable with the browser opening and performing an external network test (IP exposure).
• Close bandwidth‑intensive apps (downloads, cloud sync) for a cleaner measurement.
• Right‑click the network icon or open Quick Settings and select Perform speed test.
• When the browser opens, start the test and note download, upload, and latency.
• If you need repeatable results, record the test server, time, and device state and run multiple trials.

Critical analysis — strengths and risks​

• Reduced friction: Putting a speed‑test entry where users already diagnose network problems improves discoverability and usability.
• Low maintenance: Delegating to a web widget avoids OS bloat and lets Microsoft leverage continuously updated web infrastructure.
• User empowerment: Non‑technical users get an accessible way to validate ISP speeds before escalating to support.

• Not truly native: Because it launches the browser and relies on web infrastructure, it lacks the deep diagnostic capabilities and offline robustness of a native tool.
• Privacy and enterprise compliance: Third‑party server interactions could conflict with organizational policies or produce unwanted telemetry.
• Single‑provider push: If the UI tightly couples to Bing’s test without an option to choose providers, users may feel their choice is constrained and may distrust single‑vendor defaults.

Final verdict​

Background​

How the feature works — step by step​

• Right‑click the network icon in the taskbar notification area (system tray) and look for a “Perform speed test” option.
• Alternatively, left‑click the network icon to open the Wi‑Fi quick settings flyout and select the speed‑test control that appears alongside refresh and other quick actions.
• The shortcut launches the system’s default browser and navigates to Bing’s speed‑test widget.
• The user clicks Start inside the widget; the web page runs a download/upload/latency measurement against a remote test server and displays results.

• The OS itself does not perform any packet‑level throughput testing. The action is a web launcher.
• The test result is produced by the web widget and whatever server/backend it uses (commonly an industry test engine such as Ookla’s infrastructure).
• The experience is identical to performing a manual search for “speed test” and clicking the Bing tool.

Why this matters: convenience, discoverability, and UX​

• Instant access: One or two clicks from the taskbar starts the full test flow, reducing friction for non‑technical users.
• Consistent experience: The same web widget is available whether launched manually or via the taskbar shortcut.
• Low maintenance: Because it links to a web tool, Microsoft can update the test experience without shipping OS updates.

Accuracy and technical limitations​

• Browsers operate under different network stacks and constraints (TCP congestion control settings, parallel connection behavior, buffering, and HTTP protocol choices) compared with dedicated native apps.
• Some browsers limit the number of parallel connections or alter connection algorithms for performance and battery life; that can affect peak throughput measurements.
• The test uses selected test servers; geographic proximity, peering paths, and transient congestion all influence results.
• Web tests are typically run over HTTPS HTTP(S) or WebSockets and often rely on more conservative TCP tuning compared with native UDP‑based testing that can saturate a line faster.
• Browser extensions, antivirus, VPNs, and OS power‑saving features can interfere with or throttle throughput during the test.

• Browser‑run tests may under‑report the maximum achievable throughput on very fast connections or in environments where the browser is throttling parallel fetches.
• Variability across browsers and client setups can produce different numbers for the same physical line; a difference of 10–20% between tools is common, and higher discrepancies are possible.
• For precise network troubleshooting — packet loss, jitter, or TCP handshake anomalies — browser speed tests are only a first step, not a replacement for deeper diagnostics (iperf, traceroute, packet captures).

Privacy and telemetry considerations​

• When the default browser opens to Bing’s speed test, the test exchange will share IP address, user agent, and other standard HTTP metadata with the test server and with Bing’s telemetry systems.
• If the browser is signed into a Microsoft account or synchronizing data, there may be additional context sent or logged by the browser or Bing.
• Any backend provider used by the test widget (including commercial test networks) will collect test metrics for its own analytics unless explicitly stated otherwise.

• The test flow may include cookies or tracking pixels embedded in the test page; these are normal for web tools but are materially different from a purely offline OS diagnostic.
• The choice of default browser becomes a privacy vector: launching the test in Edge vs. a third‑party browser may change what is logged or linked to a user profile.
• Enterprises and privacy‑conscious users should treat the taskbar shortcut as a link to an external web service rather than as a purely on‑device diagnostic.

Accessibility, internationalization, and discoverability nuances​

• The new menu entry and quick settings tile must be properly labeled for screen readers and keyboard navigation to be fully accessible.
• The resulting browser page should honor accessibility standards (text‑to‑speech, high contrast, and keyboard focus) — these are properties of the web widget more than the Windows launcher.

• Test server selection and language of the web page should adapt to locale to give meaningful results and instruction to non‑English speakers.
• Users in regions with limited CDN coverage may see reduced accuracy; documentation or in‑UI notes could help set expectations.

• Right‑clicking the network icon is a common action for power users; many casual users only ever left‑click. Including the tile inside the quick settings flyout improves discovery for both user groups.
• A tooltip or small in‑UI hint the first time the feature is available would encourage adoption without cluttering the UI.

Alternatives for power users and IT professionals​

• Native speed‑test apps (official Speedtest by Ookla desktop application) — these can use optimized protocols and have richer server selection.
• Command‑line tools:
• iperf3 — a cross‑platform tool for throughput testing that can be run against a dedicated iperf server; ideal for repeatable, high‑fidelity tests.
• Test‑NetConnection (PowerShell) — useful for latency and port checks but not a substitute for throughput benchmarking.
• curl/wget combined with timing scripts — lightweight checks to remote endpoints for simple throughput sanity checks.
• Router/firmware tests — some routers expose built‑in diagnostic tools that run tests from the router’s perspective, which can be more representative of WAN capacity.
• Enterprise network monitoring — RUM, SNMP, and flow monitoring provides continuous, long‑term insights rather than single‑point tests.

Enterprise and IT management implications​

• Enterprises can block web services at the network perimeter if organizational policy forbids external test traffic.
• Group Policy or MDM controls might be used to hide the context menu option for managed machines if desired; administrators should verify whether the control can be suppressed or configured centrally.
• Relying on a web widget for diagnostic workflows is not appropriate in controlled environments where test traffic must traverse specific monitoring systems or where external endpoints are disallowed.

Security considerations​

• Phishing/URL redirection risk: the context menu must open the intended URL; otherwise a malicious extension or system compromise could redirect to unsafe pages. The OS should assert a trustable launch pattern (e.g., a known, canonical Bing URL).
• Extension interference: browser extensions could alter test behavior or redirect traffic, leading to incorrect results or interception of test metadata.
• Local network effects: low‑quality Wi‑Fi, captive portals, or middleboxes could distort results; detecting and communicating these conditions helps avoid misinterpretation.

Why Microsoft chose a web‑backed approach (likely reasons)​

• Engineering cost and maintenance: a web tool is faster to update and iterate without OS releases.
• Centralized backend: using a single web‑hosted backend allows Microsoft to control test server selection and analytics centrally.
• Cross‑platform parity: a web widget behaves similarly across devices and browsers, reducing fragmentation.
• Legal and licensing: integrating third‑party engines natively may involve licensing complexities; linking to existing web integrations can be simpler.

What this is not (and what users should not expect)​

• It is not a native network diagnostics engine that runs entirely on the device.
• It does not replace packet captures, jitter analysis, or deep routing diagnostics.
• It does not guarantee measurement parity with other test clients; differences are expected.
• It will not necessarily help diagnose intermittent packet loss or application‑level failures.

Potential improvements Microsoft could make​

• Add a native, optional measurement mode that runs a lightweight throughput test inside the OS for quick hover‑state readings.
• Surface quick metrics on hover (current negotiated link speed vs. measured internet throughput) so users get immediate context without a full test.
• Provide a diagnostic mode that runs multiple quick tests to detect variability, packet loss, or jitter.
• Allow IT admins to configure the launcher behavior (default URL, whether to allow Bing or an internal enterprise test server).
• Make the quick action choices explicit: “Open web speed test” vs “Run advanced diagnostics” so users understand the difference.

Risks and downsides​

• Misleading expectations: users may assume the OS is measuring line quality when in fact a browser widget is doing the work, leading to misplaced trust.
• False negatives/positives: web tests can be influenced by browser behavior, leading to inconclusive results that frustrate users.
• Privacy confusion: users may not realize that running a speed test launches a web service that collects IP and test data.
• Fragmentation: different users will get different results depending on browser, extensions, and system configuration, complicating basic support interactions.

Timeline and rollout expectations​

• Preview → wider Insider rings → public release. Historically, features observed in Dev/Beta flights can take months to reach general availability, and some never do.
• Microsoft can remove, modify, or replace the control before public release.
• Even after public release, server‑side behavior (the Bing widget) can be updated independently of the OS.

Practical recommendations for Windows users​

• For a quick check: use the new taskbar shortcut when it appears — it’s the fastest way to get a ballpark reading.
• For verification: run the browser test a few times at different times of day, and cross‑check with a native client (Ookla desktop app or iperf) if precise numbers matter.
• For privacy‑minded users: be aware that the test launches a web service that will see your IP and browser metadata; consider using a privacy‑focused browser or clearing cookies if concerned.
• For IT pros: treat the result as a first‑step; follow up with directed tests and packet captures where necessary.

Final analysis: small change, symbolic significance​

Background​

Why this matters: quick checks vs deep diagnostics​

• The test requires a working browser and a functional HTTP path to the web tool (so it won’t help when a captive portal or severe DNS problem prevents web pages loading).
• Results reflect the web test’s backend behavior (server selection, measurement method, number of test streams), not a Windows‑owned measurement methodology.
• There’s no built‑in historical logging, scheduled testing, or the low‑level diagnostics network engineers rely on.

What the taskbar test actually does​

Where you’ll find it in preview builds​

• Right‑click the network/system tray icon and look for a Perform speed test entry in the context menu.
• Left‑click the network icon to open the Wi‑Fi quick settings flyout; the speed test appears there as a small button next to refresh and quick actions.

What happens when you run it​

• Windows opens your default browser.
• The browser navigates to Bing’s internet speed test widget.
• You click Start (the widget runs the test) and the page reports:
• Download speed
• Upload speed
• Latency (ping)
• The results display in the browser UI; there’s no in‑OS pop‑up or notification that captures or stores the numbers within Windows.

How to try it (Insider builds): step‑by‑step​

• Join the Windows Insider Program (if you’re not already a member). Use your Microsoft account and choose an Insider channel.
• On a Windows 11 PC, go to Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program and pick an Insider channel (Canary, Dev, or Beta).
• Update to the latest preview build that includes the test (Insider updates vary; you’ll see the new UI in builds that expose the network control).
• Once updated:
• Right‑click the network icon in the taskbar and select Perform speed test — or
• Left‑click the network icon, open Wi‑Fi quick settings, and click the Test internet speed button.
• The default browser opens to Bing’s speed test. Click Start to run the measurement.

• Insider channel builds can be unstable. Back up critical data and expect occasional regressions.
• Microsoft’s rollout strategy varies; not every Insider may see the control immediately even if they’re on a channel where it’s being tested.

How accurate will the results be?​

• Server selection and distance: Results depend on which test server your browser connects to; the closer and less loaded the server, the higher your throughput will appear.
• Browser and OS overhead: Browser throttling, extensions, or background downloads on your machine can affect throughput during the test.
• Single vs multi‑stream testing: Some services use multiple parallel streams to saturate modern connections; others don’t. This affects the reported peak throughput.
• VPNs and NATs: If you’re using a VPN, corporate proxy, or NAT that shapes traffic, tests will show throughput to the VPN gateway or exit node, not your ISP’s raw line speed.
• Transient congestion: A single test gives a snapshot. For reliable conclusions you need multiple runs at different times and under different loads.

Practical comparison: taskbar shortcut vs dedicated apps​

• Taskbar shortcut to Bing
• Pros: Fast, discoverable, no need to remember a URL.
• Cons: Browser dependent, no in‑OS history, no server control, no scheduled tests.
• Speedtest by Ookla (app or website)
• Pros: Mature backend, server selection, history, exportable results, dedicated Windows Store app offers notifications and an in‑app experience.
• Cons: Still web‑backed for the website; app may be subject to platform policies.
• Fast.com (Netflix)
• Pros: Simple, minimal UI focused on download throughput.
• Cons: No advanced metrics, limited controls.
• TestMy.net and other independent tools
• Pros: Alternative measurement methods (single stream vs multi stream), sometimes more conservative results.
• Cons: Different methodology — not directly comparable to every other test.
• Local measurements (iperf3, PowerShell)
• Pros: Full control (server/client), repeatable laboratory‑grade tests, measured between local endpoints or a trusted remote test server.
• Cons: Requires setup: an iperf3 server or a public test server, and some networking knowledge.

For power users: local and scripted tests that go beyond the taskbar​

• PowerShell (built‑in)
• Test-NetConnection: ping/port/traceroute diagnostics and basic latency checks.
• Get-NetAdapterStatistics: quick counters for interface errors and traffic.
• These are helpful for scripted checks and can be integrated into scheduled maintenance.
• iperf3 (third‑party)
• Run an iperf3 server on a trusted endpoint and use a client locally to measure multi‑stream throughput, jitter, and loss.
• Best for lab‑grade comparisons and when you control both endpoints.
• CLI scripting with scheduled runs
• Schedule repeated tests during different times of day and log results to CSV for trend analysis.
• Useful for verifying ISP SLAs or diagnosing intermittent performance issues.

Privacy and telemetry considerations​

• The web tool typically collects anonymized connection details and may log test times, ISP information, and the IP address the test originates from.
• If the web widget delegates to a third party (such as Speedtest by Ookla), data handling is subject to that provider’s logging and privacy policy.
• Tests run while signed into browser accounts, or while using a corporate network, may leave logs associated with those environments.
• The taskbar shortcut itself likely sends no telemetry beyond the fact that the control was invoked, but the test page will establish network connections and exchange test data.

UX critique: elegant shortcut, minimal execution​

• Visibility: the button is in the network flyout where people expect quick diagnostics.
• Low friction: a couple of clicks takes you to a test, lowering the barrier for less technical users.
• Reuses a trusted web tool: using Bing’s widget leverages an existing UI that many people already know.

• Browser dependency: opening a browser tab is heavier than returning a quick readout inside the OS.
• No in‑OS results: there’s no immediate native notification or persistent log displayed in Windows.
• Lack of provider choice: the UI routes users to Bing’s test; there’s no option to pick a different test engine or a local test server from within the menu.
• Not helpful for severe outages: if the browser can’t reach the web test, the button is effectively useless.

Security and enterprise implications​

• Managed browsers with strict policies might block the Bing widget or route traffic through proxies, producing misleading results.
• Corporate VPNs or split tunneling will change the “view” of the internet and confound comparisons to ISP line speed.
• For auditability and SLA compliance, organizations should adopt scheduled, logged tests between controlled endpoints and avoid single ad‑hoc browser runs.

Recommendations for users​

• Casual users: the taskbar shortcut is a helpful, low‑effort way to see if your connection is broadly healthy. Use it to confirm basic download/upload and ping numbers.
• Power users: don’t rely on a single browser test. Use Speedtest apps (which provide history and server selection), Fast.com for simple throughput checks, or iperf3/Test‑NetConnection for controlled measurements.
• Troubleshooting intermittent problems: run tests at different times and from multiple devices on the same network. Compare wired vs Wi‑Fi results and check for local noise (background updates, cloud syncs, P2P apps).
• Privacy‑conscious users: if you don’t want test metadata shared with web providers, run local tests to a server you control.

What Microsoft could (and should) do next​

• Add a small, built‑in quick result panel so the taskbar action displays download/upload/ping inside Windows without opening a browser.
• Offer a provider selector in network settings enabling users to pick from Bing, Ookla, Fast.com, or enterprise‑managed test endpoints.
• Integrate lightweight history logging (locally stored and exportable) so users can see trends over time.
• Expose an API or PowerShell cmdlets that trigger tests against specified endpoints for scripted diagnostics.
• Provide an offline diagnostic mode that runs local network tests (ping, traceroute, LAN throughput) even if web access is unavailable.

Caveats and what remains unverified​

• Microsoft has not published an official timeline for public rollout of this taskbar shortcut to all Windows 11 users. The control is present in preview builds we’ve seen, but broad availability and final behavior are subject to change.
• Whether Microsoft will eventually replace the browser‑opening flow with a native in‑OS measurement engine remains unannounced. Any speculation about future product direction should be treated as provisional.
• Implementation details such as the precise telemetry emitted when the control is used, and whether the action will preferentially open Edge or use the user’s default browser, may change prior to public release.

Conclusion​

Background​

What Microsoft added (Overview)​

Where the control appears​

• Right‑click the network (Wi‑Fi/Ethernet) icon in the system tray and look for Perform speed test.
• Left‑click the network icon to open the Wi‑Fi quick settings flyout and find a Test internet speed button near other quick actions.

What the button actually does​

• It launches your default web browser.
• The browser navigates to the Bing speed‑test widget.
• The widget runs the speed test (download, upload, latency) and displays results inside the browser tab.

Why Microsoft shipped a web‑backed launcher (and not a native tool)​

• Update agility: Web services can be modified and improved without shipping OS updates, enabling faster iteration and bug fixes.
• Infrastructure reuse: Bing’s speed‑test widget already exists and delegates measurement to established backends, so Microsoft avoids the cost of building and managing a global measurement server network inside Windows. Multiple reports indicate Bing’s web‑hosted speed test delegates to the widely used Speedtest (Ookla) infrastructure behind the scenes.
• Smaller OS footprint: No new native services, daemons, or telemetry pipelines needed in the OS itself — the heavy lifting happens on the web.

Technical behaviour and measurement fidelity​

What the test reports​

• Download throughput (Mbps)
• Upload throughput (Mbps)
• Latency / ping (ms)

Which backend powers the measurement​

Sources of variability and why results may differ​

• Browser stack and networking stack differences across browsers and extensions.
• Server selection (geographic distance and server load).
• Local device load, background transfers, and Wi‑Fi vs. wired connectivity.
• VPNs, proxies, or captive portals that alter the path to the test server.
• Transient ISP congestion and peering issues.

Insider builds and rollout expectations​

Privacy, telemetry and enterprise control — what to watch for​

• Telemetry and data collection: The web widget will necessarily communicate with third‑party or Microsoft‑operated servers to run tests. Administrators should expect IP addresses, timestamps, and performance metrics to be visible to the test backend. Until Microsoft publishes precise telemetry documentation, treat collection and retention policies as unknown and plan accordingly.
• Default browser behavior: The control uses the system default browser — not necessarily Edge — which means browser extensions (ad blockers, privacy tools) could alter the test or its UI. Administrators and help‑desk staff should be aware that results may vary by browser environment.
• Network egress rules: Organizations that restrict outbound traffic will need to identify and permit the relevant Bing/test endpoints if they want this flow to function. Conversely, some orgs may prefer to block it entirely and provide an internal testing endpoint.
• Policy controls: As of the current Insider evidence there’s no published Group Policy or MDM setting specific to the Taskbar speed‑test launcher. Enterprises should watch for the addition of explicit Group Policy/MDM controls and accompanying privacy/telemetry docs before enabling the feature broadly in managed environments.

Practical guidance — how to use the feature (for home users and support)​

• Click the network icon in your Taskbar (system tray).
• Choose Perform speed test from the right‑click context menu, or open the Wi‑Fi quick settings and click Test internet speed.
• Your default browser opens to Bing’s speed test; click Start to run the measurement.

• Quick sanity checks when streaming stalls, games lag, or downloads crawl.
• Front‑line help‑desk triage to gather a baseline number from a non‑technical user.
• A fast way to decide whether to escalate to deeper diagnostics.

• SLA or contractual disputes with your ISP. Use controlled, repeatable tests (Speedtest CLI, iperf3) and collect server IDs and timestamps for evidence.

• Use a wired connection for baseline tests when possible.
• Close background downloaders and pause cloud sync apps.
• Run multiple tests at different times to account for transient congestion.
• Temporarily disable browser extensions that might alter requests.

Comparison: Taskbar/Bing test vs dedicated tools​

• Speedtest by Ookla (web or native client): Widely used, supports server selection and CLI for auditability. Good for contractual evidence.
• Fast.com (Netflix): Minimal UI focused on download throughput; simple and fast.
• Speedtest CLI, iperf3, router logs: Best for reproducible, auditable testing and internal network troubleshooting.

Security and operational considerations​

• The Taskbar shortcut requires a functional browser and a working HTTP path to the test endpoint. If the problem prevents web pages from loading (DNS failures, captive portal, or severe routing issues), the shortcut won’t help. Prepare alternate offline diagnostics for such cases.
• Because the test is browser‑hosted, local privacy tools might block scripts or requests and skew results. Help‑desk scripts should educate users about temporarily toggling such tools when running the test for troubleshooting.
• Administrators who need internal telemetry or wish to avoid third‑party egress should deploy or recommend internal test endpoints (iperf servers) and update triage documentation accordingly.

Risks, limitations and open questions​

• Reproducibility: Browser tests lack the deterministic behaviors and logging of dedicated CLI tools; results should be corroborated.
• Provider transparency: The exact backend used by Bing’s widget can change; Microsoft has not documented a binding provider contract for the test. That makes long‑term reproducibility or comparisons more complex.
• Telemetry and privacy: The amount and retention of data collected by the web widget are not yet publicly documented; enterprises must assume standard network logs may be seen by the test backend until Microsoft clarifies.
• Enterprise policy: There is no confirmed Group Policy or MDM control in the public Insider notes for toggling the Taskbar launcher; managed environments may need explicit controls before approving the feature.

Recommendations for Microsoft (what would make this feature enterprise‑ready and power‑user friendly)​

• Add an explicit Group Policy / MDM setting that allows administrators to disable or require approval for the Taskbar speed‑test launcher.
• Provide provider transparency and an option for organizations to select an internal test backend (or opt out entirely).
• Offer exportable logs (CSV/JSON) from the web widget that include test server IDs, timestamps, and raw throughput figures for auditability.
• Consider a lightweight native diagnostic mode that can run micro‑benchmarks locally and optionally post anonymized summaries to Microsoft for quality telemetry without exposing raw IPs to third parties.
• Publish a clear privacy and telemetry statement that spells out what is collected, how long it’s stored, and under what legal jurisdiction test servers operate.

How this fits into Microsoft’s broader strategy​

Final verdict​

Background​

What Microsoft is testing: feature overview​

• As a new entry in the right‑click context menu for the network icon in the system tray (the taskbar’s network indicator).
• As a dedicated button in the Wi‑Fi quick settings flyout — the panel that appears when clicking the network, audio, or battery icons on the taskbar.

• Target Insider builds: 26220.6682 (Dev) and 26120.6682 (Beta).
• Update KB checkpoint referenced: KB5065782.
• Discovery method: Screenshots posted by an Insider on social platforms and hands‑on reporting from community press.

How the new speed test works (practical walkthrough)​

• Locate the network icon in the taskbar’s system tray.
• Right‑click the icon to reveal the context menu. A new “Run speed test” (or similarly labeled) entry appears.
• Alternatively, click the network indicator to open the Wi‑Fi quick settings panel and tap the speed test button there.
• The action launches the default browser and navigates to Bing’s network speed test page, which performs the diagnostics and returns metrics.

Why this matters: convenience vs. native integration​

• Benefits:
• Faster diagnostics for non‑technical users.
• Reduced need to install a third‑party app just to validate ISP claims.
• Centralizes a common troubleshooting step into Windows’ system UI.
• Limitations:
• The tool is not truly native: it requires web connectivity and a browser session to run.
• Reliance on Bing’s web page means the experience may vary with browser, Bing region, and ongoing web‑service changes.
• Enterprises with locked‑down browsers or restricted internet access may not benefit.

Technical and privacy implications​

• Browser mediation. Because the speed test opens a web page, browser state and extensions can influence the test. Ad blockers, privacy extensions, or corporate browser policies may block elements of the test or alter routing, producing inconsistent results.
• External servers and measurement endpoints. A web‑hosted speed test uses remote endpoints to exchange test traffic. Which servers are selected, the geographic proximity of those servers, and routing choices all affect reported speeds. When a desktop OS delegates the selection to a web provider, users lose visibility into endpoint choice.
• Backend providers. Historical reporting shows that search providers and browsers sometimes use third‑party backends for their “speed test” features. That means data about test timing, IP, and measured throughput may be processed by more than one company. Public reporting suggests Bing’s speed test has, in the past, used recognized third‑party engines; however, Microsoft has not published a specific technical specification for the version surfaced via the new Windows shortcut — this remains a claim that is consistent with previous behavior but not independently verified by Microsoft for these builds.
• Telemetry and logging. Running a web‑based speed test will generate server logs on the host site (Bing) and may create additional network telemetry visible to ISPs, CDNs, and intermediary services. Corporate or privacy‑conscious users should be aware that a “one‑click” test is not purely local.

Comparison: web shortcut vs. native testing tools​

• Built‑in Windows utilities:
• ping, tracert, iperf (when installed), and PowerShell cmdlets for low‑level diagnostics.
• Web‑based public testers:
• Speedtest.net (Ookla), Fast.com (Netflix), and other browser‑accessible tools.
• Dedicated desktop clients:
• Native apps provided by testing vendors, which can sometimes circumvent browser limitations and support advanced features such as server selection, multi‑threaded testing, and scheduling.

Broader UI changes visible in the same builds​

• Mobile devices consolidated view: The Bluetooth & devices settings page exposes a new Mobile devices section that lists paired phones in a single place and provides direct toggles for common phone‑linked features, replacing a multi‑window “manage devices” workflow.
• Privacy & security redesign: Pages within Settings are receiving clearer headings and descriptive text to make privacy controls easier to find and understand.
• AI background tasks page: An experimental page to manage background AI processes is present, although it’s presently unstable and prone to crashes in the preview builds. Microsoft appears to be experimenting with granularity around AI workloads.
• Drag Tray enhancements: The Drag Tray (used for quick file sharing) shows signs of expanded capability, including additional actions like moving files between folders.

Accessibility and enterprise considerations​

• Group Policy and management. Organizations that lock down browser usage or restrict outbound web traffic may find the taskbar shortcut ineffective. Administrators should assess whether the UI will create support tickets when the browser‑launched test fails due to network policy.
• Telemetry and compliance. A browser‑based test generates logs that may be captured by corporate proxies and monitoring tools. Administrators concerned about data movement should treat the feature like any other web resource.
• Deployment uncertainty. Insider features are experimental. Organizations should not assume this shortcut will be present in stable releases or that its implementation will remain browser‑based.

Risks, criticisms, and available mitigations​

• Perception of promotion. Because the click leads to Bing, some perceive the move as promotional rather than a true functional upgrade to Windows.
• Potential for inconsistent measurements. Browser interference or extension conflicts can produce noisy data.
• Dependence on third‑party backends. If Bing’s test uses an external vendor’s backend, any change on that vendor’s side could alter behavior or availability.

• Continue using dedicated native tools when precise benchmarking is required (for example, iperf for controlled environment tests).
• If privacy or enterprise policy restricts web calls, document and communicate the expected behavior of the shortcut to help desk and desktop support teams.
• For personal use, disable problematic browser extensions before running a quick test to avoid skewed results.
• If the shortcut is unwanted and becomes part of a stable release, expect to find administrative controls (Group Policy or Settings toggles) added in later releases; Insiders often surface a new control after user feedback.

What this does — and doesn’t — fix for everyday users​

• Native measurement that bypasses the browser and its extensions.
• Advanced options like selecting a specific test server or scheduling tests.
• Guaranteed uniformity across different managed or restricted environments.

Practical recommendations for Windows users​

• For quick checks: Use the new taskbar shortcut (when available in your build) for a quick sanity check of latency and throughput.
• For reproducible results: Prefer a native client or command‑line tool that lets you control server endpoints and test parameters.
• For privacy‑minded users: Be aware that opening the test launches a web session; read the test page’s privacy policy if concerned about server logging.
• For IT admins: Document the behavior and include it in first‑line support scripts; advise users that a one‑click test may not be available behind some corporate proxies.

The disclosure gap and unverifiable elements​

• Microsoft has not published a formal technical whitepaper stating whether the Bing test in these preview builds uses a particular third‑party backend or a proprietary engine.
• Reported connections to recognized speed‑test backends are plausible and consistent with historical integrations, but they are not explicitly documented by Microsoft for this change.

How this fits into Microsoft’s broader Windows 11 strategy​

Final assessment: small change, outsized implications​

Conclusion​