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Windows 11 Insider builds are testing a speed-test command in the taskbar’s network controls. It is built into the Windows interface, but it does not measure your connection inside Windows: the command opens Bing’s web-based speed test in your default browser.
What the taskbar speed test does
Microsoft describes the feature as a built-in network speed test. In practice, Windows provides a shortcut to Bing’s speed-test experience: choose the command, and the test runs in a browser rather than in a native Windows dialog. Microsoft’s Build 26120.6760 release notes say the test supports Ethernet, Wi-Fi and cellular connections. Independent reporting says it opens in the default browser, not necessarily Edge. TechSpot’s report describes the browser handoff.
The Bing experience can show download speed, upload speed and latency. Its interface, test method and service dependencies are web-based, so they can change independently of a Windows update. Reports have associated Bing’s test with Ookla’s Speedtest, but that does not establish that Ookla is the permanent backend for every test. Tom’s Hardware reported that the taskbar shortcut linked through Bing to Ookla’s service.
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Where to find it
On a preview build where the feature is enabled, check either of these taskbar locations:
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- Network icon menu: Right-click the network icon in the notification area and look for Perform speed test.
- Quick Settings: Open the taskbar’s Wi-Fi or cellular network panel and look for a speed-test control. The label may differ as Microsoft tests the feature; its September 29 release notes use Perform speed test.
Selecting the command should open Bing’s speed-test page in your default browser. Because this is a web test, a browser launch and access to the relevant online services are required.
Which Insider builds were associated with the feature
The first reported build family dates to September 12, 2025. Microsoft’s explicit description of the taskbar speed test appeared in its September 29, 2025 Beta Channel announcement for Build 26120.6760.
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| Build | Channel and Windows version | What is established |
|---|---|---|
| 26120.6682 | Beta Channel, Windows 11 24H2 | Early build family associated with the feature. Microsoft announcement, September 12, 2025. |
| 26220.6682 | Dev Channel, Windows 11 25H2 | Corresponding Dev build family reported with the feature. Pureinfotech coverage. |
| 26120.6760 | Beta Channel, Windows 11 24H2 | Microsoft explicitly documented taskbar access to a network speed test. Microsoft announcement, September 29, 2025. |
| 26220.6760 | Dev Channel, Windows 11 25H2 | Later preview build family associated with the feature; universal availability within the channel is not established by the cited build references. |
| 26100.7918 / 26200.7918 | Later Insider preview builds reported in 2026 coverage | Later reporting associated the feature with these builds; that does not establish availability in stable Windows 11. PC Gamer coverage. |
Build number alone may not guarantee that the control appears. Microsoft stages some Insider features, and the cited announcements do not establish that the feature is available to every Insider or in every retail Windows 11 installation. The evidence here does not confirm universal stable-channel availability as of August 18, 2026.
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How to run the test
- Check Settings > System > About to confirm your Windows version and OS build, and verify that you are using an eligible Insider preview.
- Click the taskbar network icon. Alternatively, right-click the network icon and look for Perform speed test.
- Open the Wi-Fi or cellular Quick Settings panel if you do not see the option in the context menu.
- Select the speed-test control. Windows should open the default browser and take you to Bing’s test.
- Run the test and note its download, upload and latency results, along with whether the device was using Wi-Fi, Ethernet or cellular.
How to interpret the result
A speed test measures performance between your device and a remote test service at a particular moment. It is not a direct reading of your ISP plan, your Wi-Fi adapter’s maximum link rate, or the speed another app or website will achieve. Results can vary with Wi-Fi interference, distance from the router, device limits, VPN use, background traffic, network congestion and the test server.
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For a more useful comparison, pause large downloads and synchronization, and run several tests at different times. If possible, compare Ethernet with Wi-Fi, test both near the router and in the location where you notice a problem, and check another device. A single low result is not, by itself, proof that your ISP is at fault.
If the option is missing or the test will not load
The speed-test command is absent
First check the build and channel. The device may not be on an associated preview build, the feature may be in a staged rollout, or Microsoft may have changed the experiment. The taskbar layout can also affect where the control appears. Microsoft’s Insider announcements warn that features can roll out gradually; the Build 26120.6682 notes describe this rollout approach.
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The command does nothing or Bing will not open
Check that your default browser opens links normally and that Bing is reachable. A captive-portal sign-in, VPN, DNS issue, proxy, firewall or organization’s web filter may prevent the browser or test page from working. Browser policies can also restrict links launched from system controls.
The internet connection is down
This shortcut is not an offline diagnostic. If the connection is too broken to load the web page, the speed test cannot tell you why. For basic Windows checks, ipconfig /all shows adapter addressing and gateway details, nslookup checks DNS resolution, ping checks reachability and latency, and tracert or pathping can help inspect a route. These tools answer different questions from a browser speed test; iperf3 can measure throughput between controlled endpoints, including on a local network.
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When to use another tool
The taskbar command is convenient for a quick internet check, but it is not a substitute for targeted troubleshooting or a documented performance test. You can use Speedtest by Ookla directly if you prefer its website or an app. For local-network throughput, route investigation, packet loss, or enterprise reporting, use an appropriate diagnostic tool and an approved test procedure. Managed networks may block external test services or unsanctioned bandwidth testing.
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