Windows Tools, Help & Guides



Windows Guides Feed

Windows 7: Sync System Clock with Internet Time [How To]

By on January 15, 2009 (11 Comments)

internet time clock 00 Windows 7: Sync System Clock with Internet Time [How To]

Just as in Vista, you can synchronize your clock with an internet-based server. This will ensure your computer time is always correct. Having the correct time is essential, especially when you want to search for files modified on a specified date; if the date is incorrect, you will have trouble finding your files.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to sync your clock’s time with time.windows.com’s time. This guide also applies to Windows Vista.

More Windows Seven Guides

Synchronize Your Clock with an Internet-based Time Server

To synchronize your clock, do the following:

  1. Click the Clock and click Change time and date settings…
  2. Under the Internet Time tab, click Change Settings

    internet time clock 01 Windows 7: Sync System Clock with Internet Time [How To]

  3. Check Synchronize time with an Internet time server. I chose to use the default windows.time.com and chose Update now. Then press OK

    internet time clock 02 Windows 7: Sync System Clock with Internet Time [How To]

Now if, for some reason, your time gets offset, you will maintain a correct time for your system.

Windows 7: Sync System Clock with Internet Time [How To]

About Rich

Rich is the owner and creator of Windows Guides; he spends his time breaking things on his PC so he can write how-to guides to fix the problems he creates.

Web | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | Google+ | More Posts (1019)


Comments

  • Boschportell

    Yes, but it's possible change de periodicity of resyncronization? One week (by deflault) is long time for my uses. (Astronomy)

    • A NAME

      Yes it is possible and I have seen online guides how to do it, however the guide was too complicated for me to follow. For instance the first step was to enter system administrations tools. Not a helpful guide for me because I do not how to enter system administration tools. People who write guides should remember the golden rule “thou shalt not confuse thy reader”. 

  • Sos

    thanks

  • DBCOLE

    The “Internet Time” tab does not appear in my “Date and Time Dialog. Why Not? (I am running 64-bit Windows 7 with SP1 and all currnt maintenance applied.)

    • http://richr.org/ Rich

      Are you part of a domain? If so, the time is managed separately. Internet time is only a feature of workgroup (non-domain) PCs. If, however, you’re sure it’s not in a domain, let us know and I’ll look into this more.

  • cherizza

     Thnk you so much. this is a big help! =)

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7YWFDBS7GQ3VS47OJW4CUH3G4A Matt-o-plex

    This doesn’t work for me.  No matter what internet server I select, it says unable to start windows time service.  Please try again later.  My computer says it is 10;07 PM right now.  It is 1:07.  I constantly change my computers time manually, and within a day or so, it is inevitably back to the wrong time.

    • http://richr.org/ Rich

      Have you selected the correct time zone?

      Click the clock, click Change date and time settings…, and, when the Date and Time dialogue loads, click Change time zone…

  • http://richr.org/ Rich

    Not within a domain. You’ll need to speak with your AD, network administrator etc. (could be other roles depending on org. size) but there’s probably not much they can do for you without customizing their setup for you, which is something most AD admins don’t want to do…

  • Luky

    It would be nice to have a possibility to add a time server of your choice to synchronise your computer with, not just choose from those in the list.

  • wtf

    It DOESN’T WORK

    “Windows was unable to start the online time service. Please try again later”


Comments
Windows Guides on Facebook
Windows Forums

MVP Profile - Rich Robinson