Microsoft confirmed that the new Windows 11 native speed test, the tool that measures connection speed without the need for a browser, was created with an agentic AI-based workflow driven by a single person in their free time. The feature appeared in the Insider Experimental build 26340.9767finally bringing into the operating system a network test that until recently existed only as a shortcut to Bing.
The story starts from user feedback. Microsoft had already introduced, in April 2026, a first attempt at a speed test based on the technology Ooklabut encapsulated within a Bing-related and therefore browser-dependent experience. The requests collected subsequently pushed the team to focus on a native version, with an interface consistent with the rest of Windows 11.
Marcus Ash, head of design and research for Windows and Devices at Microsoft, tells the story behind the scenes. According to his version, it was Pavan Davuluri to ask the design team to explore the idea while Diego Baca transformed the concept into a working prototype in just one day. Only after this first step did the connectivity team and external partners come onto the scene, tasked with completing the integration into the operating system.
One developer, one agentic AI, and WinUI 3
Ash explained that much of the development went through tools Agentic AIwith a single person leading the process on their own time, before other teams took on the integration work on a larger scale.
In his words, the combination of agentic workflows and WinUI 3 represents the most concrete way to build native applications for Windows “without AI slop”, the term used to indicate code and content produced quickly and sloppily by artificial intelligence. In short, Microsoft seems aware of having to distinguish the targeted use of AI, accompanied by constant human control, from practice of vibe coding which generates quite a bit of distrust between developers and users.
Friday’s Windows tip of the day!
If you’re checking your internet speed, why should you have to leave Windows to do it? You can now check it right from Quick Settings.
This came from feedback we heard about wanting a more integrated experience.
And fittingly, the team moved…pic.twitter.com/v58f0D2YVW— Marcus Ash (@marcusash) October 30, 2026
It is not so obvious that this approach works in the same way on more complex functions than a simple speed test, which still remains a linear tool from an engineering point of view. Microsoft, however, seems intent on treating this episode as a model to be repeated: going from an idea gathered through feedback to a working prototype in just twenty-four hours it’s the speed that the company would like to bring to the rest of Windows 11 development.
The episode comes at a time when Microsoft is pushing to accelerate the development of Windows 11 on multiple fronts: the latest updates released include the function Restore Summary introduced with the KB5127936 update to simplify PC migration, and the extension of Windows 11 26H2 to all compatible devices, including those still on Windows 10.
