Windows 11 Taskbar Speed Test Launcher: Browser Based, Not Native

Microsoft is quietly rolling a convenient — if subtle — diagnostic into Windows 11: a one‑click network speed test surfaced in Release Preview builds that lets users launch an internet speed check directly from the taskbar’s network menu, and the same update also brings camera pan/tilt controls, Emoji 16 additions, a full‑page Widgets settings panel, and support for .webp desktop backgrounds.

Background​

Microsoft’s incremental approach to Windows 11 development has made the Insider channels the primary place to spot small but broadly useful features before they reach the general population. The network speed test appeared in Release Preview builds tied to KB5077241 (builds in the 26100 and 26200 families), and the official release notes describe it as a taskbar‑level affordance reachable from the Wi‑Fi/Cellular quick settings or by right‑clicking the network icon in the system tray. The test launches in the default browser and is intended to measure Ethernet, Wi‑Fi, and cellular connections.
This addition is small on the surface but emblematic of a larger pattern: Microsoft is increasingly shipping lightweight, web‑backed utilities and short diagnostic workflows that live at the OS surface while relying on browser or cloud services to perform the heavy lifting. That design choice speeds deployment and centralizes updates to the measurement logic, but it creates tradeoffs for accuracy, enterprise control, and privacy that deserve careful consideration.

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What Microsoft shipped (quick summary)​

• New Perform speed test / Test internet speed shortcut accessible from the taskbar network icon and Wi‑Fi quick settings. The action opens a browser‑based speed test that measures download, upload, and latency for Ethernet, Wi‑Fi, and cellular connections.
• Basic pan and tilt (PTZ) camera controls surfaced in Settings for cameras that expose those capabilities. Microsoft’s notes do not list supported models.
• Emoji 16.0 glyphs (a curated subset) added to the emoji panel.
• Widget settings now open in a full‑page Widgets app experience rather than a dialog.
• Ability to set .webp images as the desktop background.

These changes were packaged in the Release Preview servicing wave described under KB5077241 and have been observed in the builds tied to Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2. Availability is being handled via Controlled Feature Rollout (CFR), so not every device that installs the update will immediately see the features.

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The taskbar speed test: what it is, and what it isn’t​

What users will see​

When the feature is present, the network icon’s context menu (right‑click) and the Wi‑Fi quick settings (left‑click network indicator) show a new entry labeled something like Perform speed test or Test internet speed. Selecting it launches your default browser and loads a web‑hosted speed‑test widget — in current preview flights that widget is surfaced via Bing’s speed test UI. The test reports familiar metrics (download, upload, ping) and attempts to detect whether the connection is Ethernet, Wi‑Fi, or cellular.

Browser‑launched, not native​

Crucially, the taskbar entry functions as a launcher to a web service rather than a local Windows diagnostic engine. That distinction matters operationally:

• The measurement executes within the browser context, so browser extensions, proxies, cached resources, or privacy settings can affect results.
• The underlying test backend and methodology are those used by the web tool (Bing’s speed test, which itself can use third‑party backends), not a Microsoft‑owned native measurement stack in the OS.
• Because the logic runs on a web page, Microsoft (or the web provider) can update the measurement algorithm without shipping an OS patch.

This design gives Microsoft agility and a low‑touch UX surface, but it also means the taskbar shortcut is not a replacement for dedicated, controlled measurements you’d run for engineering or SLA validation.

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Why Microsoft likely chose a browser‑first approach​

• Faster iteration — Updating measurement backends, adding servers or changing methodology can happen server‑side without an OS update.
• Reduced OS maintenance — No new privileged service or driver is required, simplifying testing and compatibility across millions of hardware combinations.
• Single‑source UX — Driving users to a web widget centralizes the look and feel of diagnostics across devices and versions.

However, those benefits come with meaningful tradeoffs. Because the test runs in the browser, results are not insulated from user‑level variability (extensions, proxies, strict privacy settings) and the service dependency is external to usual OS telemetry channels. That duality—rapid updates vs. operational opacity—will shape how the tool is received by both consumers and IT pros.

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Accuracy and diagnostic value: when the built‑in check works, and when it doesn’t​

Good for quick sanity checks​

For everyday users and helpdesk triage, the taskbar shortcut delivers immediate value. A one‑click test that reports download, upload and ping eliminates the need to remember or install a third‑party site or app. It’s a convenient first step when a video buffers, a game lags, or a VoIP call stutters. The discoverability — placed where people already look for connectivity — is the primary UX win.

Not a substitute for controlled measurements​

Network engineers and support teams often need repeatable, controlled tests that use specified endpoints, reserved bandwidth, and native measurement stacks (for example, iperf3 against a lab server, or Ookla tests run with consistent browser profiles). The browser‑based test is subject to:

• Browser-level interference (extensions, caching, privacy mode)
• Local network conditions (Wi‑Fi vs Ethernet, NAT, ISP peering)
• Contention from other apps on the machine during the test

For formal verification of ISP SLAs, capacity planning, or debugging complex routing/peering problems, the taskbar test should be one data point among many.

Reproducibility concerns​

Because the UI simply opens a web widget, differing browser choices or default browser settings across devices can yield divergent experiences. Enterprises that require consistent testing should standardize on a recommended procedure (for example: run the test in a clean browser profile, or use CLI/native tools for repeated measurements).

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Privacy, telemetry, and enterprise governance​

The shortcut’s browser‑based nature raises two sets of questions: where the test communicates, and how telemetry is collected.

• The web widget necessarily communicates with external servers to perform throughput measurements. That introduces dependencies on the web provider’s privacy policy and backend infrastructure.
• Because the measurement occurs in the browser, the browser’s own privacy protections (or lack thereof) influence what data is sent and how cookies or identifiers are handled.
• Enterprises and managed devices will want clarity on whether the test or its results are recorded by Microsoft or the ISP, and whether admins can disable the shortcut via Group Policy or MDM.

Microsoft’s release notes for the preview wave make the method explicit (browser launch) but do not change the broader expectation: organizations that manage privacy and telemetry centrally should treat the taskbar entry like any other web‑launched diagnostic and plan accordingly. Controlled Feature Rollout (CFR) can gate availability, and IT administrators will likely want group policies or MDM controls to hide or disable the shortcut on managed endpoints until corporate policies are updated.

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Enterprise implications and recommended admin actions​

IT teams should take a pragmatic, staged approach:

• Inventory and policy review. Check whether devices in your estate are eligible for the Release Preview wave and whether Controlled Feature Rollout might surface the test unexpectedly.
• Decide default behavior. If the organization treats all external web services as sensitive, consider proactively disabling the feature for managed devices until policy and user guidance is prepared.
• Update helpdesk runbooks. Add the taskbar speed test as a first‑line diagnostic step, while documenting its browser‑launched limitations and when to escalate to iperf3 or dedicated network tests.
• Standardize measurement tools for SLAs. For contractual verification and capacity planning, continue using controlled endpoints and native tools; the taskbar test is a convenience, not a compliance instrument.
• Communicate to users. Publish a short explainer for end users describing what the test does, why results may vary, and how to interpret basic outcomes.

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Camera pan/tilt controls: practical value and limits​

A companion change in the same Release Preview update surfaces basic pan and tilt controls in Settings for cameras that expose PTZ (pan/tilt/zoom) capabilities. In short: Windows will now surface vendor‑exposed PTZ controls centrally under Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Cameras > [your camera] > Basic settings, when the camera driver exposes standard PTZ controls. This reduces the need for proprietary vendor utilities for minor framing adjustments.
Important caveats:

• Microsoft’s notes do not enumerate supported camera models; availability depends on camera drivers and whether the device exposes PTZ controls via recognized APIs. Enterprises and users should test their hardware before counting on the feature.
• The Settings UI exposes basic pan and tilt adjustments; advanced PTZ functionality (presets, zoom smoothing, wide‑angle corrections) will likely remain in vendor applications or camera control suites.

From a management perspective, surfacing PTZ controls is useful for hybrid work setups (quickly framing a webcam on a meeting laptop), but IT teams relying on advanced camera automation should not expect parity with dedicated camera control solutions.

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Emoji, Widgets, .webp support — small refinements with real UX impact​

KB5077241 also includes a handful of user‑visible niceties:

• Emoji 16.0 (curated subset): Microsoft opted for a conservative inclusion strategy, adding a single pick from each major emoji category rather than shipping the entire Unicode 16 set at once. That reduces font, picker, and cross‑platform compatibility risk while still refreshing the emoji palette.
• Widgets full‑page settings: Widget settings now open as a full‑page experience inside the Widgets app rather than a modal dialog, improving discoverability and making it easier to configure widget content and layout.
• .webp desktop background support: The update adds OS support for setting .webp images as wallpapers from Settings or File Explorer, expanding the set of modern image formats users can use for personalization.ragmatic changes that improve day‑to‑day UX without introducing major compatibility shifts.

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Deployment timing and Controlled Feature Rollout​

Microsoft published the Release Preview notes for the relevant builds and tied the changes to KB5077241 and specific build numbers in the 26100/26200 families. Insiders and Release Preview participants began seeing the features in mid‑February previews; public deployment is staged and may roll out to stable channels over subsequent weeks. Several third‑party tracker sites and coverage outlets observed Microsoft using CFR to gate availability by region, hardware, and account configuration. That means even after the update is installed, the new taskbar entries might remain hidden until Microsoft turns the CFR flag on for a given device.
For readers who want to try the feature now:

• Enroll a test device in the Windows Insider Program (Release Preview channel) or ensure Release Preview servicing is available.
• Update Windows and confirm you received the KB5077241 preview build.
• If the test doesn’t appear immediately, remember this is subject to Controlled Feature Rollout and may be gated.

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Risks, tradeoffs, and unanswered questions​

Every UX convenience carries tradeoffs. The taskbar speed test is useful, but it raises several considerations that Windows users and IT teams should weigh.

• Measurement fidelity. A browser‑launched tool is convenient but less controlled than native test engines. For formal diagnostics or contractual measurements, this tool is insufficient alone.
• Telemet ry and privacy. Because the test contacts external servers, organizations with strict egress policies or privacy rules will need to consider whether to block or permit the test’s endpoints. Microsoft’s preview documentation describes the browser launch but does not map the exact endpoints or telemetry collection practices in detail. Treat the web widget as an external service for policy purposes.
• Single‑vendor web dependency. Using Bing’s web widget (or its backend partners) centralizes the testing experience but couples the OS-level afforda. That increases resilience (easy updates) but creates a single point of failure if the web service changes or experiences outages.
• Enterprise control. It remains unclear, as of the preview notes, which Group Policy or MDM controls Microsoft intends to expose for disabling the shortcut across a fleet. IT teams should expect to block or manage the feature via device configuration if needed, but should validate the exact policy names once Microsoft publishes them broadly.
• Hardware support ambiguity for PTZ. Microsoft did not publish a compatibility list for cameras that will support the pan/tilt controls. Administrators must test cameras individually to verify behavior.

Where the release notes are intentionally brief, I flag claims that cannot yet be verified — notably the exact list of camera models that will be supported and the detailed telemetry/endpoints used by the web widget — as items that require follow‑up when Microsoft expands its documentation or publishes an enterprise guidance article.

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How to use the new speed test wisely (practical guide)​

• Treat it as a first‑line check. When a user complains about slow video or game latency, ask them to run the taskbar test for a quick sanity check.
• If results are surprisingly low, repeat the test:
• Close other bandwidth‑heavy apps.
• Reboot the router and device, or test again on a different network interface (Ethernet vs Wi‑Fi).
• For repeatable troubleshooting, add a standardized native test (iperf3 or controlled Ookla runs) to your runbook with a known test endpoint.
• Document the test method. Because results depend on the browser and network conditions, record the browser used and whether the test ran in an incognito session or with extensions disabled.
• For privacy‑sensitive environments, disable or block the web widget until you can vet the service endpoints and update Acceptable Use documentation.

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Final analysis: practical feature, strategic signal​

On balance, Microsoft’s addition of a taskbar speed test is a welcome, practical convenience for everyday Windows users and helpdesk technicians. It reduces friction for routine connectivity checks and matches a long‑standing user expectation: simple diagnostics where you already look for connectivity.
At a strategic level, however, the design choice to implement the flow as a browser‑launched web widget rather than a native OS measurement is the more important story. It signals Microsoft’s continued tilt toward web‑backed micro‑experiences at the OS surface — a pattern that accelerates iteration and lowers OS surface area, but that also places more of Windows’ diagnostic trust model into the cloud and browser environment. That has implications for reproducibility, enterprise governance, and privacy that organizations should plan around.
For most consumers, this is an uncontroversial quality‑of‑life improvement. For IT teams and power users, it’s a convenience to add to the toolbox — useful for initial triage, but not a replacement for controlled, native measurements when exacting accuracy or compliance is required.

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Microsoft’s official Release Preview notes and multiple independent reports document the feature’s mechanics and the broader set of UX refinements included in KB5077241. Early adopters can try the capability in Release Preview builds, but widespread availability will be governed by Microsoft’s staged rollout policies and may take several weeks to reach general release.
Conclusion: a tidy, discoverable convenience with pragmatic limits — and a useful signal about how future Windows niceties are likely to arrive: small, web‑backed, and instantly observable in the places users already expect them.

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Source: 디지털투데이 Microsoft adds network speed test feature to Windows 11

Microsoft’s next Windows 11 feature drop is small in surface area but broad in practical impact: Insiders in the Release Preview channel are now seeing a taskbar‑accessible network speed test and a raft of quality‑of‑life improvements — from in‑box Sysmon to native WebP wallpapers and new emoji — that signal Microsoft’s continued move toward web‑backed utilities and tighter integration between Settings and device hardware. ://www.theverge.com/tech/880756/windows-11-speed-test-build-in-update-preview)

Background​

Microsoft shipped Release Preview builds 26100.7918 (24H2) and 26200.7918 (25H2) as part of a preview servicing wave (packaged under KB5077241) and began surfacing a number of small but visible changes to Insiders. These changes are being delivered in a controlled feature rollout model: the binary update is distributed through the Release Preview channel, while individual features can be turned on server‑side and staged by region, hardware, and account. That means having the build installed does not guarantee every feature will immediately appear on every device.
The tone of this drop is conservative and pragmatic. Instead of shipping a large new application or rewriting core subsystems, Microsoft is surfacing shortcuts, expanding optional system features, and finishing long‑teased compatibility items. For IT teams and power users this matters: small UX changes can alter support flows, telemetry touchpoints, and the expectations of nontechnical users who will now find quick troubleshooting tools where they expect connectivity to be shown — in the Taskbar.

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What’s new — quick overview​

• Taskbar network speed test: Right‑click the network icon or use the Wi‑Fi quick settings to launch a one‑click speed test. The control opens the default browser and runs Bing’s speed‑test widget (which itself uses an established measurement backend).
• Sysmon (System Monitor) packaged as an optional inbox feature: Administrators can enable Sysmon from Settings or via DISM / PowerShell; it is disabled by default. This puts a production‑supported Sysmon into Windows as an optional feature.
• Emoji 16.0: A curated subset of Unicode Emoji 16.0 has been rolled into Windows 11’s emoji panel, with some rendering caveats across apps.
• Native WebP wallpapers: WebP files can now be chosen as desktop backgrounds without pre‑conversion.
• Camera pan & tilt controls: Where hardware supports it, Settings now exposes pan and tilt controls for compatible webcams.
• Expanded Extract All behavior / archive support: File Explorer’s extraction path has been extended in Insider builds to better handle common archive formats (.7z, .rar, and others) in non‑encrypted scenarios. Expect limitations for password‑protected containers.
• Widget settings now open full‑screen: Widgets configuration moves from a modal dialog to a full‑screen view to improve discoverability and consistency.
• Enterprise and performance improvements: Faster temporary‑file searches in Storage settings, improvements in Windows Update responsiveness, and expanded automatic recovery options for user settings and apps. These are primarily polish and scenario optimizations for managed devices.

Each of the items above is small on its own; taken together they reflect Microsoft’s iterative approach to Windows as a continuously evolving service rather than a monolithic every‑few‑years release.

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The Taskbar speed test: convenience vs. expectations​

How it works​

The new Taskbar entry appears in two places: a right‑click context menu for the network system‑tray icon (“Perform speed test”) and a dedicated control in the Wi‑Fi quick settings (“Test internet speed”). Activating the control launches your default browser and opens Bing’s built‑in speed‑test widget, which measures download throughput, upload throughput, and latency. In practice, the user flow is:

• Right‑click the network icon or open Quick Settings.
• Select the test option shown in the menu.
• The default browser opens and the Bing speed widget runs the measurement.

Why Microsoft chose a browser‑launched test​

It’s a pragmatic engineering choice. Launching a browser‑hosted widget avoids the need for Microsoft to maintain a global test network, accelerate native measurement engines, and handle a wide variety of pathologies (VPNs, captive portals, proxy servers, and enterprise network topologies). It also allows Microsoft to push updates to the measurement UI and backend without a full OS servicing cycle.

Benefits​

• Immediate discoverability: The speed test is surfaced where users already look for connectivity status. That makes it an effective first‑step troubleshooting tool for helpdesks and nontechnical users.
• Low engineering overhead: Because the test runs in the browser, Microsoft avoids maintaining measurement servers or a native client.
• Consistency with Microsoft’s web‑first tooling: Many lightweight diagnostics in Windows increasingly rely on web widgets and Bing integrations to stay updated and consistent across platforms.

Limitations and caveats​

• It’s a launcher, not a native engine. The measurement happens inside the browser environment, so extensions, cached content, browser proxies, or privacy settings can influence results. It is not suitable as a repeatable, auditable measurement for enterprise benchmarking.
• Privacy and telemetry questions. Because the test hits an external web service (and Bing may route to backend providers), organizations should be aware of any policy implications for queries leaving their networks. The test’s backend (currently surfaced through Bing/Ookla relationships) may collect diagnostic metadata in line with those services’ policies.
• Staged availability. The feature is gated and will roll out unevenly; expect it to appear first for Insiders and broader audiences through staged updates.

Practical guidance​

• For quick consumer sanity checks or first‑level support, the Taskbar test is excellent.
• For reproducible diagnostics, use dedicated tools: Speedtest CLI, iperf3 against a local server, or your ISP’s measurement tools.
• If your organization requires a native, internal measurement, consider documenting a validated toolchain and advising users to prefer that for formal troubleshooting.

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Sysmon becomes an inbox optional feature — what changes for IT​

What Sysmon is and why it matters​

Sysmon (System Monitor) is a widely used Windows Sysinternals tool that extends event logging to include detailed process creation, network connection, driver load, and file hashing events. Security teams frequently use Sysmon with curated configuration files to gain forensic‑grade telemetry from endpoints.
Microsoft is now packaging Sysmon as an inbox optional feature that can be enabled via Settings → System → Optional features, or through command‑line provisioning (for example: Dism /Online /Enable‑Feature /FeatureName:Sysmon). Importantly, the inbox version is disabled by default and must be explicitly turned on by administrators.

Upsides​

• Official support and servicing: Shipping Sysmon as an optional inbox feature means Microsoft can service it via Windows Update and ensure compatibility with platform changes. That reduces the fragmentation and version drift that came when Sysmon was only available as a separate utility.
• Easier deployment at scale: Admins can enable Sysmon through enterprise management tools and group policies without requiring third‑party installers. This streamlines onboarding for detection engineering teams.
• Better baseline security telemetry: Organizations that want richer endpoint logs can adopt Sysmon more broadly without relying on external installation packages.

Risks and operational considerations​

• Configuration matters. Sysmon’s telemetry volume can be significant if enabled with verbose rules. Organizations must design and test Sysmon configurations (for example, using community standard templates such as SwiftOnSecurity’s) to avoid overwhelming SIEM ingestion pipelines.
• Disk and telemetry cost. Extended event logging increases storage and network ingestion volumes. Ensure retention and cost planning are understood before broad enablement.
• Change control. Although easier to enable, turning Sysmon on by default across a fleet without staged testing risks unexpected side effects. Administrators should pilot, tune, and document the rollout.

How to enable (example)​

• GUI: Settings → System → Optional features → More Windows features → check “Sysmon” (if present).
• DISM (admin): Dism /Online /Enable‑Feature /FeatureName:Sysmon
• PowerShell (admin): Enable‑WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Sysmon

Because availability may be gated by CFR, the feature might not appear even on devices with the preview build installed. Confirm presence via the optional features UI and the Windows Insider release notes for your branch.

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Other polish: emoji, WebP wallpapers, camera controls, and archives​

Emoji 16.0 — small but visible​

Microsoft is rolling a curated subset of Emoji 16.0 into the OS emoji panel. Expect glyphs such as Face with Bags Under Eyes, Fingerprint, and Harp to appear in apps that render the updated glyph set. However, rendering is inconsistent across applications and websites while adoption completes: some apps will show the new emoji, others may show a replacement glyph or a missing‑glyph box until they adopt the updated system fonts or emoji rendering path. Treat this as a staged experience rather than a simultaneous ecosystem upgrade.

WebP as a native wallpaper format​

Windows 11 now allows WebP images to be chosen directly as desktop backgrounds through Settings → Personalization → Background. This ends the need to convert WebP files to JPG/PNG before using them as wallpapers and reduces friction for designers and wallpaper‑curators who rely on smaller, higher‑quality images. WebP support in the wallpaper path was visible in recent Insider builds.

Pan & tilt webcam controls in Settings​

For webcams that expose PTZ (pan‑tilt‑zoom) capabilities through standard vendor drivers, Settings now surfaces pan and tilt controls under Devices & drivers → Cameras → Basic settings. This brings a native method to reposition hardware without vendor apps. The feature depends entirely on whether the camera and driver expose the PTZ interface; most built‑in laptop cameras and cheap USB webcams will not show controls.

Extract all: wider archive support, with caveats​

Windows has been iteratively improving File Explorer’s archive support. Recent Insider builds extend Explorer’s handling so that the Extract all flow can operate on additional archive types such as .7z and .rar for non‑encrypted archives. This makes casual extraction easier without third‑party utilities, but there are important caveats: encrypted or password‑protected archives will typically fail in the Extract All wizard, and performance for very large containers may be slower than dedicated archive tools. If you rely on advanced features (multi‑part archives, encryption support, or consistent command‑line integration), 7‑Zip or WinRAR remain the recommended tools.

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Enterprise implications and recommended changes to support processes​

Microsoft’s steady stream of small changes means enterprise support teams must adapt differently than during large version upgrades. Here are practical actions for IT and security teams to consider now:

• Update runbooks for end users: Add the Taskbar speed test to basic troubleshooting guides for helpdesk staff, but also note its browser‑based limitations and recommend authoritative diagnostics where necessary.
• Pilot Sysmon with realistic logging levels: Treat Sysmon as a powerful but noisy telemetry source. Run at least a 30–90 day pilot, simulate normal business activity, and measure ingestion costs before wider enablement.
• Privacy review for browser‑backed tools: Ensure legal and securiick diagnostics send data externally, and document acceptable use policies for environments that block outbound traffic or restrict third‑party interactions.
• Hardware compatibility inventory: For features that depend on vendor drivers (camera pan/tilt, WebP wallpaper behavior tied to codec availability), validate representative device models before updating large fleets.
• Update user education and knowledge base articles: Small UX changes — like Widgets moving to full screen or WebP wallpaper support — will generate routine end‑user questions. Short help articles and annotated screenshots reduce ticket volume.

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Risks, gaps, and things Microsoft should clarify​

• Measurement provenance and auditability. By routing the speed test through the browser, Microsoft increases convenience but reduces the auditability of results. Enterprises that require reproducible metrics should continue to rely on controlled measurement arrangements. This design choice trades native control for operational simplicity.
• Telemetry and third‑party backends. The speed test leverages web backends (including Ookla via Bing). Microsoft should publish clear documentation about what data is sent during the test and whether any device identifiers are included. Enterprises need that level of transparency for compliance reviews.
• Staged rollouts complicate documentation. CFRs mean feature availability is inconsistent across otherwise identical devices. Microsoft should make availability flags more discoverable in release notes or provide a programmatic method for enterprises to query feature gating.
• Archive extraction edge cases. While broader archive support is useful for consumers, enterprise file intake processes that rely on predictable handling of encrypted or multi‑part archives will still need third‑party tools. Microsoft should clarify limitations in the Extract All workflow for password‑protected and multipart archives.

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What to expect next​

This release is illustrative of Microsoft’s incremental strategy: ship the plumbing, gate the experience, watch behavior, and then iterate. Expect more small UX rollouts that surface web‑powered tools in system places (Taskbar, Quick Settings, Widgets) and additional optional inbox features tuned for enterprise use. Insiders will see more feature‑gated experiments before broad production enablement, and Microsoft is likely to continue relying on the browser as a rapid delivery mechanism for lightweight diagnostics.
For users, that means more convenience in everyday tasks; for administrators, it means careful validation before enabling new telemetry or logging features at scale. If you manage Windows fleets, now is a good time to revise test plans, update helpdesk scripts to include the new Taskbar flows, and begin pilot deployments for in‑box Sysmon with tuned configurations.

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Practical checklist for power users and admins​

• If you see the Taskbar test: try it once to familiarize yourself, but don’t use it for SLA‑grade diagnostics.
• If you manage devices and want Sysmon: stage a pilot, tune rules, and validate ingestion/retention costs.
• If you rely on archive workflows: test the Extract All behavior on representative files (including password‑protected and multipart archives) before removing third‑party utilities.
• For camera features: confirm driver support and vendor documentation before training users to rely on Settings controls.

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Final assessment​

This feature drop is a textbook example of modern OS product management: prioritize discoverability and low‑friction solutions while deferring heavy engineering work to web services where it reduces cost and complexity. The Taskbar speed test is a convenience win for most users and helpdesks, but it does not replace rigorous diagnostic tooling. Packaging Sysmon as an optional inbox feature is the most consequential change here for defenders — it modernizes deployment and support — but it requires careful operational playbooks to avoid data deluge.
Overall, the update reflects Microsoft’s steady march toward a Windows that is more modular, web‑aware, and administratively flexible. The changes are unlikely to produce headline disruption, but they will change small daily behaviors for millions of users — which, in aggregate, is exactly the point.

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Conclude by remembering that these features are rolling out to Insiders first and will appear more broadly on a staged timeline. If a feature isn’t visible immediately after installing the preview build, it may still be gated by Microsoft’s rollout controls. Keep test devices on the Insider Release Preview channel and consult your management tooling for staged enablement if you need early access.

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Source: Notebookcheck Upcoming Windows 11 update to come with new and useful features

Microsoft has quietly added a one‑click network speed test to the Windows 11 taskbar, surfacing a convenient "Perform speed test" option in the network system tray and Wi‑Fi quick settings that launches a browser‑based measurement without requiring users to remember a web address or install third‑party software.

Background​

Microsoft delivered the new taskbar option as part of the Release Preview wave packaged in update KB5077241, which increments Windows 11 to Builds 26100.7918 (24H2) and 26200.7918 (25H2). The change is being staged with a gradual rollout to Windows Insiders and, later, to mainstream devices. In the same servicing package Microsoft also included a handful of visible user‑facing improvements — support for a small set of Emoji 16.0 glyphs, pan and tilt camera controls, WebP desktop wallpaper support, and broader delivery of the "first sign‑in restore" in Windows Backup for enterprise scenarios — plus several engineering and security features aimed at IT pros, most notably native Sysmon functionality and Quick Machine Recovery behavior changes for some Windows Pro devices.
The taskbar speed test is intentionally small in scope: when you select it from the network icon or the Wi‑Fi quick settings, Windows opens the test in your default browser and measures latency, download, and upload speeds for Ethernet, Wi‑Fi, or cellular links. The test surface shown to users is the Bing web widget that Microsoft already provides on the web; under the hood that widget has historically relied on Speedtest by Ookla infrastructure for its actual throughput probes. The result is a highly discoverable, low‑effort check for casual troubleshooting — but not a fully native, OS‑level diagnostics engine.

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What exactly changed in KB5077241​

The visible items for everyday users​

• Taskbar speed test: A new "Perform speed test" entry appears in the network icon's right‑click menu and as a "Test internet speed" button in the Wi‑Fi/Cellular Quick Settings flyout. Choosing either item launches a browser and runs the web‑based speed test.
• Emoji 16.0: A small, curated set of Emoji 16.0 glyphs was added to the emoji panel — representative additions across major categories rather than a full emoji rollout.
• Camera pan & tilt controls: For supported cameras, Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Cameras now exposes pan and tilt controls in the "Basic settings" section.
• WebP desktop backgrounds: You can now set .webp images as desktop wallpapers directly through Settings or by right‑clicking an image in File Explorer.
• First sign‑in restore expansion: The first sign‑in restore experience in Windows Backup has been extended to Microsoft Entra hybrid‑joined devices, Cloud PCs, and multi‑user environments, smoothing out user setup and device refresh scenarios.

The enterprise and security items​

• Native Sysmon functionality: Windows now exposes Sysmon‑style event capture natively. The feature is disabled by default and must be enabled through Settings > System > Optional features > More Windows features, or by using DISM. After enabling the optional feature you run the Sysmon installer command to complete configuration. The native variant writes events to the Windows Event Log, enabling existing SIEM and threat‑monitoring tools to consume them without installing the external Sysmon binary.
• Quick Machine Recovery (QMR): QMR now automatically activates on Windows 11 Pro devices that are not domain‑joined or enrolled in enterprise endpoint management, giving those systems the same automatic recovery protections historically assigned to Windows Home. Domain‑joined and enterprise managed devices keep the QMR behavior off by default unless explicitly enabled.

Quality‑of‑life and reliability fixes​

• Display and resume performance improvements for heavily loaded systems.
• Nearby Sharing reliability improvements for large files.
• File Explorer and taskbar behavior fixes, including better handling of uncombined taskbar windows.
• Various Storage, Printing, and Windows Update responsiveness fixes.

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Why Microsoft chose a browser‑backed test (practical reasoning)​

Building and operating a global, accurate speed‑test infrastructure is expensive and complex. Server selection, cross‑regional peering, repeatable measurements and ongoing maintenance are nontrivial problems. By reusing a web‑hosted widget that already integrates existing speed‑testing infrastructure, Microsoft sidesteps much of that operational burden and retains the flexibility to update the measurement UI independently of OS servicing.
Advantages of the browser‑backed approach:

• Minimal OS footprint: no extra native measurement engine, drivers, or periodic OS patches tied to network testing.
• Central update path: Microsoft can iterate the web experience and measurement logic without touching the Windows servicing pipeline.
• Familiar measurement engine: surfacing a widely used engine via Bing means results are broadly comparable to popular consumer tests most users already know.

Trade‑offs and constraints:

• Not a native diagnostic: Because the test runs in a browser, it does not integrate with Windows' diagnostic event logs or provide native Device Health records that administrators can collect centrally.
• Measurement variability: Browser overhead, extensions, background processes, captive portals, and corporate web filtering can all affect test results.
• Telemetry and third‑party exposure: Results and metadata traverse web services outside of a pure local context; organizations with strict data governance need to account for this.

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What this means for regular users​

For the average Windows 11 user the taskbar speed test will be a welcome convenience. If you experience slowness during a videoconference, a quick right‑click on the network icon and a browser pop will give you immediate visibility into whether latency or bandwidth is the primary culprit. It removes friction for casual troubleshooting and eliminates a step for less technical users who previously had to remember which speed‑test website to visit.
Practical tips for consumers:

• Use the taskbar speed test for quick spot checks to confirm whether a slow activity is likely a network problem.
• When possible, close heavy background apps and pause large file transfers to reduce measurement noise.
• If you need repeatable, auditable results (for example, to prove to your ISP), use a dedicated client or command‑line tool instead of a single browser run.

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What this means for IT and enterprise teams​

From an IT management perspective, treat the new taskbar option as a user convenience, not a sanctioned diagnostics workflow.
Key enterprise considerations:

• No Windows‑side audit trail: The test doesn't emit an event to the channelized Windows diagnostic logs in a way that an MDM or SIEM can ingest by default. For repeatable troubleshooting, administrators should rely on managed diagnostics tools (e.g., iperf3, Speedtest CLI, or enterprise monitoring agents) that can run scheduled, server‑controlled measurements.
• Policy and filtering implications: Corporate network policies that restrict access to Bing or block certain external domains may prevent the taskbar test from running or distort results. Similarly, captive portals and proxy authentication will interrupt or invalidate measurements.
• Telemetry/privacy: The test interacts with web services; depending on configuration, that may expose metadata to Microsoft or the test provider. IT teams with rigorous data handling requirements should document the behavior and provide alternative, local performance tools for staff.
• User education: Add a short entry to internal KBs that explains the test as a browser‑opened convenience, shows how to run enterprise‑approved native diagnostics, and clarifies what artifacts (if any) should be collected for support tickets.

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How accurate is the test? Measuring fidelity and trustworthiness​

The visible UI measures the three standard metrics consumers expect: download throughput, upload throughput, and round‑trip latency (ping). The actual accuracy of those numbers, however, depends on a handful of environmental and methodological factors:

• Backend test server: The web widget selects a measurement server based on geolocation and provider availability. Historically, that Bing widget has relied on Speedtest by Ookla infrastructure for its probes; if that pattern continues, the numbers will behave similarly to Speedtest.net in many regions. However, Microsoft or the web provider could change backends or server selection rules over time, which would alter comparability.
• Browser vs. native client: Browser‑based tests can be throttled by sandboxing and single‑process constraints or skewed by other active network connections on the machine. Native clients often run optimized streams and can be configured for repeated runs and logging.
• Single‑run variability: All single‑run speed tests are snapshots. Network congestion, ISP shaping, Wi‑Fi contention, and last‑mile problems can dramatically alter results from one test to the next.

For users and administrators who need defensible, repeatable measurements:

• Use tools that allow you to specify the target server, number of streams, and scheduling (e.g., Speedtest CLI, iperf3, or managed NMS solutions).
• Document test conditions (time of day, active apps, network topology) when filing reports or escalating to your ISP.
• Avoid relying on a single browser run as proof of a consistent outage.

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Native Sysmon: a significant change with caveats​

The inclusion of Sysmon functionality natively in Windows is arguably the most consequential addition in KB5077241 for security teams. Sysmon (System Monitor) has been a staple of advanced endpoint logging for years, normally shipped as a separate Sysinternals binary that security operators install and configure.
What the native export provides:

• Integrated event delivery: Native Sysmon writes events to the Windows Event Log, making ingestion seamless for SIEMs and EDR systems without additional file‑based adapters.
• Standard configuration: Administrators can still use Sysmon configuration files to tune event capture, filter noise, and direct the level of telemetry needed for detection.

Important constraints and implementation notes:

• Disabled by default: Microsoft ships the capability but leaves it off unless explicitly enabled. This avoids surprise telemetry on devices that are not managed for advanced monitoring.
• Requires explicit enablement: Admins enable the feature via Optional Features or DISM, then complete installation using the Sysmon command. If a site already uses the external Sysmon binary, they must uninstall it before turning on the native feature to avoid conflicts.
• Policy and configuration management: Organizations must plan how they will push Sysmon configuration, manage updates, and reconcile differences between the native feature and the external binary historically used in their environment.

Security teams should test the native Sysmon in lab environments to validate parity with existing configurations before enabling it widely. It has great potential to simplify management for many shops, but proper change control is essential.

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Privacy and policy concerns around the taskbar speed test​

Because the new taskbar option launches a web‑hosted test, it inherits web privacy and telemetry characteristics:

• Third‑party data exchange: Running the test may exchange connection metadata and measurement data with web services. Organizations with strict privacy controls should evaluate whether this exposure is acceptable.
• Cookie and session context: If users are signed into browsers with corporate or personal accounts, the session context may be present during the test. Privacy‑conscious testing should be performed in a private browsing session or with a cleared profile.
• Blocking and filters: Some corporate networks block analytics or CDN domains for privacy or security reasons. Such blocks may break the test or route it through alternate endpoints, producing inaccurate results.

Recommendation for admins and privacy teams:

• Document the expected flow and data exposures.
• Add guidance to internal support articles: run the test in Incognito/Private mode when sharing results externally, and prefer managed, server‑controlled diagnostics for regulated scenarios.

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UX critique: convenience versus depth​

The taskbar speed test is a textbook tradeoff between convenience and capability.
Strengths:

• Discoverability: Placing the control where users already look for network state is smart UX.
• Low friction: One click and a browser gives immediate feedback for nontechnical users.
• Consistency: Reusing a web widget ensures consistency across devices and easier iteration.

Weaknesses:

• Not truly “built‑in”: Marketing language that calls the feature “built‑in” can be misleading; it launches a web test rather than performing the measurement locally.
• Limited diagnostics: Advanced diagnostics — packet captures, sustained server tests, or OS‑level telemetry correlation — require other tools.
• Potential dependency on third parties: If Microsoft or the web partner changes backend behavior, test results and characteristics can change without an OS patch.

Overall, the UX choice makes sense for the majority of end users: it removes friction for the most common need (a quick check). But power users and IT pros will quickly view it as a convenience overlay rather than a tool to replace existing workflows.

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How to use the taskbar test responsibly (recommended workflow)​

• For a quick check: right‑click the network icon or open Wi‑Fi quick settings and choose the new test option to get immediate latency and throughput numbers.
• If you plan to share results with support or ISPs, run the test in a private browser session and include contextual information (time, ISP, wired/wireless, sample throughput average across multiple runs).
• For repeatable diagnostics, use dedicated tools and document server targets and the number of parallel streams.
• If your device is managed by MDM or group policy, check whether access to the Bing widget is allowed or if the test will be blocked by internal filtering.
• For high‑security environments, avoid the web test and rely on internally managed measurement infrastructure.

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Broader implications and what to watch for next​

• Expect Microsoft to continue surfacing web‑hosted convenience tools in system UI where the engineering cost of native support outweighs benefits. The taskbar speed test is likely the first of several such integrations.
• Watch for enterprise guidance from Microsoft about the native Sysmon and any centralized management features that follow. The native Sysmon model could eventually simplify configuration for managed fleets if Microsoft provides Group Policy/Intune controls for pushing Sysmon configs.
• Keep an eye on telemetry and privacy documentation; enterprises will want explicit statements about which data elements are exchanged during the web speed test and whether they are persisted.
• Finally, monitor user feedback during the gradual rollout. If users and admins push back on the "link rather than tool" model, Microsoft may iterate the experience — either by adding optional native telemetry hooks or clarifying messaging in Settings.

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Conclusion​

The new taskbar speed test is a small but telling change in Windows 11: it prioritizes discoverability and convenience by surfacing a browser‑based test where users expect to check connectivity. For everyday users this is a net positive — a quicker way to answer the question "is my internet the problem?" — but for IT professionals and power users it offers only a first step. The inclusion of native Sysmon and expanded recovery features in the same release signals a dual focus from Microsoft: delivering consumer conveniences while incrementally improving enterprise manageability and security. Organizations should treat the taskbar test as a helpful shim, not a replacement for established diagnostics and monitoring workflows, and plan to evaluate native Sysmon carefully before enabling it broadly.

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Source: TechRepublic Microsoft Adds Built-in Network Speed Test to Windows 11 Taskbar