You can automatically or manually set your computer’s date and time based on a time zone. Additionally, to ensure your device displays the correct universal time, Microsoft Windows and Apple OS synchronize your device’s clock to an internet time server such as: time.windows.com, time.apple.com, time.nist.gov, or pool.ntp.org. If your computer displays the wrong time or a service uses specific configurations, you could experience network and application issues, emails and messaging issues, and files having incorrect time stamps.

Set Date and Time and Sync to Time Server

SET THE DATE AND TIME  |  SYNC TO SERVER

Note: Instructions may vary depending on operating system version.

Click Start > Settings > Time & language > Date & time 

You have the following options to set your date and time: 

  • Set time automatically 
  • Adjust for daylight saving time automatically 
  • Select Time zone 
  • Set Time zone automatically
  • Set the date and time manually 

Windows Date and Time Screen Example

CHANGE AND SYNC THE TIME SERVER 

Scroll to bottom > click Additional clocks under Additional settings 

Windows Date and Time Tab Example

Windows Additional Clocks Tab Example

  1. Click the Internet Time tab. 
  2. Click the Change settings button.
  3. Check that the Synchronize with an internet time server option is selected.
  4. Use the drop-down menu to select a server: time.windows.com or time.nist.gov
  5. Click Update now to synchronize the time with the new server.
  6. Click OK.
  7. Click Apply.
  8. Click OK. 

Windows Date and Time Server Tab Example

SET THE DATE, TIME AND TIME SERVER 

Note: Instructions may vary depending on operating system version.

Cliick Apple Menu  > System Settings/Preferences > General > Date & Time. 

You may be prompted to enter your computer password to make changes. 

If your OS is earlier than Ventura 13, click the padlock icon to unlock your settings to enable changes; and when finished, click the padlock icon again to lock your settings. 

  1. Turn on “Set time and date automatically”, click Set, then enter a network time server for your region. The default is Apple (time.apple.com).
  2. Turn on “Set time zone automatically using your current location.” 

Manually: 

  1. Turn off “Set time and date automatically”, click Set, enter the date and time, then click Set.  
  2. Turn off “Set time zone automatically using your current location”, click Set, enter a city in the text field, select the full city name from the list, then click OK. 

MacOS Date and Time Tab Example