Windows 11 adds internet speed test functionality, but it’s just another link to Bing

• Windows 11 is being updated in Insider preview builds to include a new “Perform speed test” shortcut in the system tray and Wi-Fi quick settings, which opens Bing’s speed-test tool in your default browser.

Microsoft is working on a new feature that will enable you to run a network speed test on Windows 11. However, the implementation isn’t exactly as you may think, because it’s simply a link that will take you to Bing to perform an internet search.

The “Perform speed test” and “Test internet speed” options are being built in the System Tray’s context menu when right-clicking the network connection action and the Wi-Fi quick settings page.

The option has been spotted by @PhatomOfEarth in the latest preview builds of Windows 11, in the Canary, Dev, and Beta Channels of the Windows Insider Program.

However, this implementation isn’t a native tool, but rather a link that opens the internet test already available on Bing.com. As a result, this appears to be another tactic that Microsoft is using to drive traffic to Bing, with the hope that users will remember and return to the search engine for other tasks.

If you really want a more native feature to test your internet connection, you’ll be better off using the Command Palette by PowerToys and using the SpeedTest plugin, which performs an internet speed test without having to open third-party websites or leave the desktop.

In addition, the company is also working to revamp the “Mobile devices” settings, which will allow you to view connected devices and control different features on the page without having to open another application.

The “Privacy & security” section in the Settings app is also getting some changes. For instance, the company is regrouping the settings, changing their heading, and even adding a new “Background AI tasks” page.

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Windows 11 adds new keyboard backlight feature in Settings

Inside the “Bluetooth & devices” section, Microsoft is also adding a new “Keyboard” page that will allow you to control various settings, including the backlighting of your keyboard.

It’s unclear when these changes will become available to everyone, but they should start rolling out for testing soon.

Finally, in the Settings app, Microsoft is reorganizing the Start page by grouping settings by category and removing the option to show browsing history in the Start menu.