Exploring Windows 11 Network Speed Test Feature: Redirects Users to Bing.com

Exploring the New “Perform Speed Test”Feature in Windows 11

Windows 11 has introduced a feature named “Perform Speed Test, ” designed to assess your internet connection’s performance. However, while the concept is appealing, the functionality primarily serves as a shortcut to Bing.com’s speed testing tool, opening the search engine in your default web browser when accessed.

This addition was highlighted by Phantom on X, revealing that Microsoft included this feature in the recent preview builds largely unnoticed.

Windows 11 internet speed test toggle — Image Courtesy: WindowsLatest.com

Upon testing the latest builds of Windows 11, I discovered that the “Perform Speed Test”button is enabled in the 25H2 (Dev channel) version. But this raises a question: Is the feature truly beneficial?

Accessing the Speed Test Feature in Windows 11

There are two primary methods to access the “Perform Speed Test” functionality:

Taskbar Method: Right-click on the internet connection icon (either Ethernet or Wi-Fi) on the taskbar. You’ll notice the new “Perform Speed Test” option along with existing options like Diagnose Network Problems and Network & Internet Settings.
Network Flyout Method: Alternatively, you can access a network flyout where the “Perform Speed Test” button appears next to the Refresh option.

Windows 11 perform speed test toggle — Image Courtesy: WindowsLatest.com

When this button is clicked, Bing opens up with a search for “internet speed test.”Notably, Microsoft previously featured its own internet test tool using Azure technology; this was later substituted with Ookla’s Speedtest. Through a partnership formed in 2023, Microsoft now utilizes Ookla’s Speedtest widget embedded within Bing.

Clicking the “Speedtest” icon on Bing.com directs users to Ookla’s platform. This indicates that the speed test toggle in Windows 11 is, in essence, a shortcut to Bing’s internet test, which is underpinned by Ookla’s technology.

The Utility of a Browser-Based Solution

While there is a desire for Microsoft to develop more native tools specific to Windows 11, leveraging Bing’s extensive capabilities makes sense. After all, performing an internet search is at its core a function for search engines. Moreover, this approach aligns with Microsoft’s strategy to boost traffic to Bing, which concurrently promotes the Edge browser.

However, if you’re interested in diagnosing issues that may be affecting your browser’s internet speed, you might find a native solution more suitable.

Using Windows Terminal for an Alternative Speed Test

For users seeking a command-line alternative, LibreSpeed presents a viable solution for testing internet speed via the terminal on Windows. To install LibreSpeed, use the following command:

winget install --id=LibreSpeed.librespeed-cli -e

After installation, you can run several commands to test your connection:

librespeed-cli --json

# list servers / choose one:

librespeed-cli –list

librespeed-cli –server <ID>

LibreSpeed’s results can closely match those from Bing’s tests, and while Bing’s shortcut is sufficient for many users, there are benefits to using a terminal-based alternative.

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