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This new Windows 11 taskbar tool lets you test your internet speed in seconds - how to try it

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Windows 11 is testing a network speed test that you run from the taskbar.

The speed test icon takes you to the Bing website.

For now, you need a Windows 11 Insider build to use the feature.

Running a network speed test is a helpful way to determine if you're getting the speed promised by your internet provider. Normally, you have to trigger such a test by opening your browser and heading to a third-party web page like Ookla's Speedtest or Testmy.net. But Microsoft is adding an option to Windows 11 through which you can launch a speed test directly from the taskbar.

Now available in release preview

The tool is now available for Windows 11 Insiders in the Release Preview Channel. Previously, it was limited to the Canary, Dev, and Beta builds. In a nutshell, that means it's one step closer to general release.

The new speed test takes you to Microsoft's Bing search site to trigger it. After measuring your connection, the results show you the download and upload speeds, as well as the latency, which checks for any delays in the travel time of your data.

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