Microsoft is quietly working to enhance user experience in Windows 11 with a new built-in network speed test feature. This addition, discovered in recent Insider Dev and Beta preview builds, is designed to provide users with a quick and convenient way to check their network upload and download speeds. The feature, although not officially announced yet, is strategically integrated into the Taskbar's system tray.
Upon right-clicking the network icon in the system tray, users will notice a new context-menu option that enables the network speed test. Additionally, the speed test can be initiated via a button found in the Wi-Fi quick settings. Both these options are crafted to offer a seamless user experience and the test results are displayed effortlessly in the user’s default web browser.
Addressing User Needs
This feature aims to eliminate the need for third-party websites or applications for basic network performance checks, making diagnostics more accessible and user-friendly. Many Windows users frequently turn to external tools to gauge their network's performance. By embedding this function directly within the operating system, Microsoft is taking a significant step towards providing essential tools that enhance productivity and solve common user concerns.
Windows Insider Program participants are currently the first to experience this new feature. Feedback from these users will likely refine the speed test's functionality before its broader rollout. When fully implemented, this tool will underscore Microsoft’s commitment to delivering user-friendly solutions that blend seamlessly into the Windows 11 ecosystem.
Moreover, the speed test feature is expected to complement other upcoming enhancements in Windows 11, focused on streamlining user interaction and boosting performance. By offering a diagnostic tool that is both convenient and easily accessible, Microsoft is poised to strengthen its position in making Windows 11 a revolutionary iteration of its popular operating system.
