Microsoft continues to refine and expand Windows 11, adding new features that aim to make everyday use simpler and more intuitive. The latest preview builds of the operating system have revealed several hidden additions, and one of the most interesting is a new button that lets you quickly check your internet speed directly from the taskbar.
It’s worth noting right away that the new tool is not a native Windows 11 app or a separate feature.
A Small but Useful Shortcut
The feature was first spotted by Windows enthusiast @phantomofearth, who regularly digs into early builds to uncover unannounced changes. According to their findings, the new option will appear in the Network flyout menu—the small window that opens when you click on the Wi-Fi or Ethernet icon in the taskbar.
Here, alongside the existing button for refreshing the list of available Wi-Fi networks, users will soon find a “Check Internet Speed” button. In addition, when you right-click on the network icon in the taskbar, the same shortcut will appear in the context menu, neatly positioned between the “Troubleshoot problems” and “Network settings” options.
In fact, the button is just a shortcut that, when clicked, launches Bing with its internet speed measurement tool.
Not a Built-In Tool (Yet)
While the addition sounds like a native feature, it’s important to clarify what’s really happening under the hood. The button itself doesn’t launch a new Windows utility—it simply opens Microsoft’s Bing speed test page in your browser. In other words, it’s essentially a direct shortcut to Bing’s internet speed test, integrated into the Windows 11 interface.
That means users won’t be running a local diagnostic tool like they might expect, but rather using Bing’s online service to measure their connection speed.
Early Days, Subject to Change
Since this feature is currently hidden in preview builds, it’s not guaranteed to ship in its current form. Microsoft often experiments with new ideas before deciding whether to keep them, refine them, or remove them entirely. It’s possible that the company could replace the Bing shortcut with a native Windows speed test tool in the future—or change the way the shortcut works altogether.
For now, though, the integration is a small quality-of-life improvement that makes it easier for users to quickly test whether their internet connection is running smoothly, without needing to open a browser and search for a speed test manually.
A Sign of Microsoft’s Strategy
This update also highlights Microsoft’s growing push to integrate Bing more deeply into the Windows experience. Just as Copilot has brought AI assistance into the operating system, this speed test shortcut funnels users toward Bing’s services. Whether that’s seen as convenient or simply another way to promote Microsoft’s ecosystem will likely depend on the user.
Still, for many, having a one-click way to verify internet performance right from the taskbar could prove surprisingly handy—especially during video calls, gaming sessions, or whenever your connection feels slower than usual.
