The quickest way to change your PC's time

The fastest route is to click the clock in the bottom right corner of your screen, then click "Change date and time settings" in the panel that opens. Windows will take you to the Date & Time settings page, where you can type in the correct time manually or let Windows sync it automatically from the internet.

If you do not see the clock in the bottom right, your taskbar may be hidden. Move your mouse to the very bottom edge of the screen and wait a moment for the taskbar to appear.

Most of the time, you will not need to change the time yourself—Windows syncs automatically with internet time servers. But if your clock has drifted or you are in a different time zone, the manual method takes about 30 seconds.

Key Takeaways

  • Click the clock in the bottom right corner, then select "Change date and time settings" to open the time adjustment panel.
  • Windows can sync your time automatically from the internet, which is the most reliable method and requires no manual input.
  • If automatic sync is turned off, you can type the correct time and date directly into the settings page.
  • Time zone changes are separate from the clock adjustment and are also found in the same Date & Time settings page.

Using automatic time sync from the internet

Windows includes a built-in feature that syncs your clock with internet time servers automatically. This is turned on by default and keeps your time accurate without you doing anything. To check that it is working, open the Date & Time settings (click the clock, then "Change date and time settings") and look for the toggle labeled "Set time automatically".

If that toggle is already on (blue), your PC is syncing correctly and you do not need to change anything. If it is off (gray), click it to turn it on. Windows will connect to a time server and update your clock within a few seconds.

Automatic sync is the best option because it corrects drift over time and accounts for daylight saving time changes. You only need to intervene if the toggle is off or if your internet connection is unstable.

Manually setting the time if automatic sync is off

If you have turned off automatic sync or your internet is not working, you can set the time by hand. Open Date & Time settings, scroll down to the section labeled "Set the time manually", and click the "Change" button underneath it.

A small window will pop up showing the current date and time. Click on the time field (the numbers showing hours, minutes, and seconds) and type the correct time. Use 24-hour format if your PC is set to that, or 12-hour format with AM or PM if that is your setting. After you enter the time, click "Change" to save it.

If you also need to change the date, click on the date field in the same window and type the new date. The format is usually month/day/year, but your PC may display it differently depending on your region settings.

Changing your time zone

If you have moved to a different time zone or your PC is showing the wrong time because the zone is set incorrectly, you can change it in the same Date & Time settings page. Scroll down to the section labeled "Time zone" and click the dropdown menu.

A list of all available time zones will appear. Find the one that matches your location and click it. Windows will when ready adjust your clock to the correct time for that zone. You do not need to restart your PC for the change to take effect.

If you are not sure which time zone to choose, search for your city name in the dropdown. Most major cities are listed, and selecting your city will automatically set the correct zone.

What to do if the time keeps changing back

If you set the time manually but it keeps reverting to the wrong time, automatic sync is likely turning it back. Open Date & Time settings and check whether "Set time automatically" is turned on. If it is, Windows is overriding your manual change by syncing with internet servers.

If your internet time is wrong, the problem is usually that your time zone is set incorrectly. Check the Time zone dropdown and make sure it matches your actual location. If the zone is correct but the time is still wrong, your internet connection may be syncing with a server that has incorrect data—this is rare, but restarting your PC or waiting a few minutes sometimes fixes it.

If you want to keep automatic sync on but need to set the time once, turn off automatic sync temporarily, set the time manually, wait a few seconds, then turn automatic sync back on. This forces Windows to accept your manual time as the starting point.

Syncing time after a long shutdown

If your PC has been off for a long time, the internal clock can drift significantly. When you turn it back on, Windows will automatically sync with internet time servers if automatic sync is enabled. This usually happens within a minute of startup, so you may see the clock jump to the correct time.

If the time does not update automatically after a few minutes, open Date & Time settings and click the button labeled "Sync now" (if available on your version of Windows). This forces an when ready sync instead of waiting for the scheduled automatic update.

Older PCs with a failing CMOS battery (the small battery inside the PC that keeps time when powered off) may lose time more quickly. If your clock drifts by hours or days every time you shut down, the CMOS battery may need replacement—this is a job for a computer repair technician.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my PC show the wrong time even though I set it correctly?

The most common cause is that automatic time sync is turned on and overriding your manual change. Check the Date & Time settings and verify that your time zone is correct. If the zone is wrong, Windows will sync to the correct time for that zone, which may not match your actual location.

Can I change the time format from 24-hour to 12-hour?

Yes. In Date & Time settings, scroll down to the "Related settings" section and click "Additional date, time, & regional settings." This opens the Control Panel, where you can click "Change the date, time, or number format" and adjust how the time displays on your clock and in other places.

What happens if I set the time to the future or past?

Some programs and websites may behave oddly if your PC time is far off. Banking sites, email, and security certificates can fail if the time is too far in the past. If automatic sync is on, Windows will correct it within a few minutes, so the problem is usually temporary.

Does changing the time affect my files or programs?

Changing the time does not delete or damage files. However, some programs that track when files were created or modified may show incorrect timestamps if you change the time backward. Automatic sync prevents this from happening.