How to Check Download Speed on Windows 10: A Step-by-Step Guide

Welcome to our step-by-step guide on How to Check Download Speed on Windows 10. Download speed is an essential factor in determining how fast files can be downloaded from the internet. There are many ways to check download speed on your Windows 10 computer, and we’ll explore a few in this guide. By the end of this post, you will have a better understanding of how to optimize download speed on Windows 10.

Are you experiencing slow download speeds on your Windows 10 computer? You’re not alone. Slow download speeds can be frustrating, especially when you need to download important files. In this guide, we’ll show you how to check your download speed and identify potential problems that might be slowing it down.

Whether you’re using the built-in Windows feature or third-party speed test websites, we’ve got you covered. So, let’s get started and improve your download speeds on Windows 10 today!

Using the Built-in Windows Feature

One of the easiest ways to check your download speed on Windows 10 is by using the built-in Windows feature. To do this, open the Windows 10 settings by clicking on the Start menu and selecting the gear icon. From there, click on the Network & Internet option, and then select Speed test.

Once you select Speed test, your computer will automatically check your internet speed and display the results. You will be able to see your download speed, upload speed, and the ping. If you are using an ethernet connection, you can also see the link speed.

If you want to get more information about your network, you can select the Network troubleshooter option in the same menu. This will allow you to troubleshoot any problems you may be having with your network connection and see recommendations for fixing them.

The built-in Windows feature is a quick and easy way to check your download speed on Windows 10. However, if you want more detailed information about your internet connection or want to compare your speed to other providers, you may want to consider using a third-party speed test website or command prompt.

Step 1: Open Settings and Navigate to Network & Internet

1. Click on the “Start” button on your Windows 10 taskbar and select the “Settings” gear icon in the Start Menu.

2. Once you’ve opened the Settings app, click on the “Network & Internet” option.

3. On the left-hand side of the Network & Internet window, you will see several options. Click on the “Status” option.

4. Scroll down the Status page and click on the “Network and Sharing Center” link at the bottom of the page.

5. From there, you will be directed to the Network and Sharing Center where you can access additional options for checking your download speed.

By following these simple steps, you can access the Network and Sharing Center on Windows 10 and begin testing your download speed using the built-in Windows feature.

Using Third-Party Speed Test Websites

If you want to test your download speed on Windows 10, there are several third-party speed test websites available that can help you get accurate results. Here are some of the most popular ones:

Speedtest.net: Speedtest.net is a free website that provides accurate and reliable speed test results. To use it, simply go to the website and click on the “GO” button. The website will automatically test your download and upload speed and display the results.

Fast.com: Fast.com is a website created by Netflix that is designed to test your internet speed. It is a simple and easy-to-use website that provides accurate results. To use it, simply go to the website and wait for the website to automatically test your internet speed.

Google Speed Test: Google Speed Test is a website that is powered by Measurement Lab (M-Lab), an open-source project that provides internet performance data. To use it, simply go to the website and click on the “Run Speed Test” button. The website will automatically test your internet speed and display the results.

Ookla Speedtest: Ookla Speedtest is a free website that provides fast and accurate speed test results. It is one of the most popular speed test websites available and is used by millions of people around the world. To use it, simply go to the website and click on the “GO” button.

TestMy.net: TestMy.net is a website that provides speed tests for both download and upload speeds. It is a simple and easy-to-use website that provides accurate results. To use it, simply go to the website and click on the “Start Speed Test” button.

Step 1: Choose a Reliable Speed Test Website

When it comes to checking your download speed with a third-party website, it’s crucial to choose a reliable one. Look for a website that has a good reputation and is known to provide accurate results.

Some popular speed test websites include Speedtest by Ookla, Fast.com by Netflix, and Google Fiber Speed Test. These websites are known for their accuracy and speed.

Before you begin the test, make sure to close all other applications and programs that might interfere with the results. You want to make sure that the test is measuring your true download speed, not the speed that’s being used by other applications.

Step 2: Run the Speed Test and Analyze the Results

Click the ‘Go’ or ‘Start Test’ button. Once you’ve selected a speed test website, you’ll usually see a button that says ‘Go’ or ‘Start Test.’ Clicking this button will begin the speed test.

Wait for the test to complete. The speed test will take a few seconds to complete. During this time, your internet speed will be measured and analyzed by the website.

Review the download and upload speeds. Once the speed test is complete, you’ll see two different numbers: download speed and upload speed. These numbers are measured in Mbps (megabits per second).

Compare your results to your internet plan. You can check with your internet service provider to see what internet plan you’re paying for and what speeds they promise to deliver. Compare your test results to the speeds promised by your ISP to see if you’re getting what you’re paying for.

Checking Download Speed with Command Prompt

Another way to check your download speed on Windows 10 is by using the Command Prompt. This built-in tool can give you accurate results and is a quick and easy option for those who prefer using command-line interfaces.

To check your download speed with Command Prompt, you will need to use a command that pings a server and returns the time it took to receive a response. The results will include information about your internet connection speed, such as your download and upload speed and your latency.

Using Command Prompt to check your download speed is especially useful if you are experiencing slow internet speeds and want to troubleshoot the issue. By comparing your results to what you are paying for, you can determine whether the problem is with your internet provider or with your computer.

Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Administrator

If you want to check your download speed using Command Prompt on Windows 10, the first thing you need to do is open Command Prompt as an administrator. To do this, right-click on the Start button and select “Command Prompt (Admin)”.

If you’re prompted for permission to run Command Prompt as an administrator, click “Yes” to continue. You should now see a black window with white text, which is the Command Prompt interface.

Note that you need to run Command Prompt as an administrator to access all the necessary features to test your download speed.

Pro tip: You can also open Command Prompt as an administrator by pressing the Windows key + X and selecting “Command Prompt (Admin)” from the menu that appears.

Step 2: Run the Command to Check Download Speed

After opening the Command Prompt as administrator, you can run the command to check your download speed. Type the following command and hit Enter: curl -s https://raw.githubusercontent.com/sivel/speedtest-cli/master/speedtest.py | python –

This command will download a python script and run it on your computer. The script will connect to a server and perform a download speed test. The test will take a few seconds to complete, and the results will be displayed on the screen in the form of download speed in megabits per second (Mbps).

It’s important to note that the download speed test results may vary depending on your internet connection and the server you are connecting to. It’s a good idea to run the test multiple times at different times of the day to get an average speed.

Analyzing Network Usage with Task Manager

Task Manager is a built-in utility in Windows that provides detailed information about the performance of your system, including network usage. By monitoring network usage with Task Manager, you can identify which applications are using the most bandwidth and causing slow internet speeds.

To analyze network usage with Task Manager, simply open the utility and navigate to the Performance tab. From there, you can view real-time graphs of network usage, including download and upload speeds, as well as the amount of data being sent and received by each application.

Task Manager also provides a list of all the processes and applications currently running on your system, along with their corresponding network usage. By sorting this list by network usage, you can quickly identify which applications are using the most bandwidth and prioritize them accordingly.

Additionally, Task Manager allows you to end processes and applications that are using too much bandwidth, which can help improve internet speeds and overall system performance.

Step 1: Open Task Manager and Navigate to the Performance Tab

Task Manager is a built-in Windows utility that provides a detailed view of your computer’s performance. To open it, right-click on the taskbar and select “Task Manager” from the menu. Alternatively, you can press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open it quickly.

Once you have Task Manager open, click on the Performance tab. This tab provides detailed information about your computer’s CPU, memory, disk, and network usage.

To analyze your network usage, look for the Network section on the left-hand side of the tab. You should see a graph that shows your network usage over time, as well as a list of processes and their network usage.

By default, Task Manager shows a simplified view of your network usage. If you want to see more details, click on the More details button at the bottom of the Task Manager window.

Optimizing Download Speed on Windows 10

Close Unnecessary Programs: Running multiple programs while downloading can slow down the speed. Close all the unnecessary programs and apps to boost the download speed.

Disable Updates and Background Processes: Windows update and other background processes consume internet bandwidth. Disable them from the settings to speed up downloads.

Clear the Cache: Clear the browser cache and delete temporary files to free up disk space. This can help speed up the download process.

Use a Wired Connection: Wi-Fi signals can be unreliable, causing fluctuations in the download speed. Connect to the internet using an Ethernet cable for a stable and faster connection.

Update Network Drivers: Outdated network drivers can lead to slower internet speeds. Update your network drivers to ensure you have the latest version and improve download speeds.

Step 1: Disable Automatic Updates

Automatic updates can consume significant bandwidth and slow down your internet speed, especially if you have limited data. To disable automatic updates on Windows 10, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Advanced Options. From there, you can set the option “Automatic (recommended)” to “Notify to schedule restart.”

You can also temporarily disable automatic updates by going to Services and stopping the “Windows Update” service. Keep in mind that this will only disable updates until the next time you restart your computer.

Pro tip: If you want to check for updates manually, you can do so by clicking the “Check for updates” button under Windows Update in the Settings app.

By disabling automatic updates, you can free up bandwidth and optimize your download speed. However, it’s important to regularly check for updates to ensure that your computer is secure and up to date.

Step 2: Disable Background Applications and Services

Another way to optimize your download speed on Windows 10 is to disable background applications and services that are using up your network resources. These can include automatic updates, cloud services, and other programs that are running in the background.

To disable these applications and services, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
• Step 2: Click on the Startup tab.
• Step 3: Disable any unnecessary applications or services that are listed here by right-clicking on them and selecting Disable.
• Step 4: Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
• Step 5: Additionally, you can also disable the Delivery Optimization feature, which allows your computer to download updates and apps from other computers on the internet. To do this, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Advanced options > Delivery Optimization, and toggle the switch to Off.

By disabling these background applications and services, you can free up network resources for your downloads and potentially improve your download speed on Windows 10.

Step 3: Clear Browser Cache and Cookies Regularly

Browser cache and cookies can slow down your download speed over time, so it’s important to clear them regularly. These temporary files are created by your browser to speed up your browsing experience, but they can also take up a lot of space on your computer and cause your browser to run slower.

To clear your cache and cookies, go to your browser’s settings or options menu and find the appropriate section. You can choose to clear them all at once, or select specific ones to remove. This will free up space on your computer and improve your browser’s performance.

It’s a good idea to schedule regular cache and cookie cleanups, so you don’t have to remember to do it manually. Many browsers have built-in options to automatically clear your cache and cookies on a regular basis.

Another tip is to limit the number of open tabs in your browser, as each tab takes up resources and can slow down your browsing experience. Try to close tabs that you’re not using or use a browser extension that can automatically suspend unused tabs to free up resources.

Finally, consider using a different browser if you’re experiencing slow download speeds on your current one. Different browsers have different features and performance capabilities, so try a few out and see which one works best for you.

Frequently Asked Questions