Microsoft is rolling out a new update to Windows 11 Insiders through the Release Preview Channel, introducing a built-in network speed test feature that allows users to check their connection speed directly from the taskbar.
The feature enables users to right-click the network icon in the system tray and select a new speed test option, which opens in the system’s default browser. The tool supports testing over Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and cellular data connections, providing a quick and convenient way to check connection speeds without navigating to a third-party website.
According to the Windows Insider blog, the update covers Windows 11 versions 24H2 (Build 26100.7918) and 25H2 (Build 26200.7918). Microsoft first began testing this speed test functionality last year, and the Release Preview Channel rollout suggests a broader general availability release is on the horizon.
The addition addresses a common need for users to check their connection speeds regularly. Having the option built into the OS and accessible directly from the taskbar streamlines the process, eliminating the need to open a browser and navigate to an external site.
The same update brings several other smaller additions to Windows 11. A new camera settings option will appear in the Settings menu, allowing users to control pan and tilt for supported cameras. The update also adds new emoji, a full-page Widget settings menu, and the ability to set .webp image files as a desktop wallpaper.
Keeping Windows updated remains important for both security and functionality. The Release Preview Channel gives Insiders early access to features before they land for the general public. Users not enrolled in the Insider program can expect these additions to arrive in a future standard update.
