Microsoft Releases Built-In Internet Speed Test Tool For Windows
Microsoft is rolling out an integrated speed test tool for Windows, allowing users to easily test their internet speed without leaving the operating system. This new tool is currently available to Windows Insiders using the Experimental channel.
Original reporting · zdnet.com
Original: “Windows finally gets a built-in internet speed test tool – how to try it”
Read “Windows finally gets a built-in internet speed test tool – how to try it” at ZDNET AI →
How this was written. GDS wrote this article with a language model from ZDNET AI’s reporting (model: @cf/meta/llama-3.3-70b-instruct-fp8-fast); it describes that reporting rather than adding to it. The original, linked above, is the full story.
Key points from ZDNET AI’s report
- Microsoft is rolling out a built-in internet speed test tool for Windows, currently available to Windows Insiders using the Experimental channel.
- The tool measures download and upload speeds over Ethernet or Wi-Fi, providing users with average speeds for both.
- The new speed test tool is a significant improvement over the existing tool in Windows 11, which takes users to a Bing search page to run the test.
- The tool's results are similar to those of Ookla's website, indicating its accuracy.
- The exact timeline for the official release of the tool to all Windows 11 users is not yet known.
Microsoft is introducing a built-in internet speed test tool for Windows, according to ZDNET AI. This new feature is designed to save users time by eliminating the need to visit a dedicated website or install a special app to test their internet speed. The tool measures download and upload speeds over Ethernet or Wi-Fi, providing users with average speeds for both.
The built-in speed test tool is currently available to Windows Insiders using the Experimental channel. To access the tool, users must be part of Microsoft's Windows Insider Program and have the Experimental channel enabled. It is recommended that users test the tool on a spare computer, dual-boot setup, or virtual machine, as Insider builds can be unstable.
Once the Experimental channel is enabled, users must also enable a special flag for the test. This can be done by going to Settings, selecting Windows Update, and then clicking Windows Insider Program. From there, users can select the option for Feature Flags and enable the Quick Settings Speed Test flag. After restarting their PC, users can access the speed test tool by left-clicking on the System tray and choosing Speed test from the Quick Settings menu, or by right-clicking on the Network icon and selecting Test internet speed.
The speed test tool is a significant improvement over the existing internet speed test tool in Windows 11, which takes users to a Bing search page to run the test. In contrast, the new tool is built directly into Windows, providing a more seamless and convenient experience. The tool's results are also similar to those of Ookla's website, indicating its accuracy.
Microsoft has not revealed the source behind the speed test, but the Info icon for the tool suggests that it is powered by SpeedTest, an internet speed tester from Ookla. The company has stated that the test runs against the user's active internet connection, allowing them to quickly understand their current connection's performance without leaving their workflow.
The new speed test tool is a welcome addition to Windows, providing users with a convenient and accurate way to test their internet speed. While it is currently only available to Windows Insiders, it is expected to roll out to all Windows 11 users in the future. The exact timeline for the official release is not yet known, but the tool's smooth performance and accuracy make it a promising feature for Windows users.
The introduction of the built-in speed test tool is part of Microsoft's efforts to improve the overall user experience in Windows. By providing a seamless and convenient way to test internet speed, Microsoft is addressing a common pain point for users and making it easier for them to troubleshoot and optimize their internet connections.
Questions and answers
How do I access the new speed test tool?
To access the tool, users must be part of Microsoft's Windows Insider Program and have the Experimental channel enabled. They can then access the tool by left-clicking on the System tray and choosing Speed test from the Quick Settings menu, or by right-clicking on the Network icon and selecting Test internet speed.
Is the new speed test tool accurate?
The tool's results are similar to those of Ookla's website, indicating its accuracy. Microsoft has also stated that the test runs against the user's active internet connection, allowing them to quickly understand their current connection's performance.
When will the new speed test tool be available to all Windows 11 users?
The exact timeline for the official release is not yet known, but the tool is expected to roll out to all Windows 11 users in the future.
