Windows 11 Speed Test Redirect Sparks Criticism

Microsoft quietly added an internet speed test to Windows 11, but users quickly noticed there's a catch: the feature doesn’t run a native test inside the OS. Instead, it opens a link to Bing’s online speed test. The reaction across forums and social media has been blunt — many expected something integrated, not a redirect.

For users who hoped Microsoft would bake a simple, fast diagnostic into Settings, the experience feels underwhelming. A native tool could offer quicker access, work offline to capture cached network metrics, or integrate with other system diagnostics. Instead, the current implementation channels people out to a web page, which some see as unnecessary promotion for Microsoft's search ecosystem.

There are practical complaints too. Opening a browser to run a test adds steps and can be confusing when troubleshooting network issues under limited connectivity. Users dealing with flaky Wi‑Fi or corporate network problems often need immediate, system‑level insights — ping, jitter, packet loss — that a linked web test might not surface or preserve for later analysis.

Microsoft may have chosen this approach because Bing already offers a polished web interface, and a link is a fast way to deliver functionality without additional engineering. That said, many Windows power users and IT professionals would prefer a minimalist, built‑in utility that logs results and ties into Windows diagnostics or the network troubleshooter.

Whether this is a stopgap while Microsoft evaluates a fuller feature or a deliberate product decision, it has renewed conversations about what users expect from an OS they rely on daily. For now, if you spot the new speed test in Windows 11 Settings, don’t be surprised when it opens your browser rather than running inside Windows itself.