Change Your Computer's Clock in Settings

The fastest way to change your computer's clock is through the system settings. On Windows, click the clock in the bottom right corner of your screen, then select "Change date and time settings." On a Mac, go to System Settings, click "General," then "Date & Time." Both operating systems let you set the time manually or have it update automatically from the internet.

If you want the time to stay correct without your help, turn on automatic time updates. Windows calls this "Set time automatically" and Mac calls it "Set date and time automatically." This syncs your clock with time servers online, so you will not have to adjust it again when daylight saving time changes or if your computer's internal clock drifts.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users click the clock in the taskbar and select "Change date and time settings" to reach the time controls.
  • Mac users open System Settings, go to "General," then "Date & Time" to adjust the clock.
  • Turning on automatic time updates prevents your clock from falling out of sync with the actual time.
  • If your clock keeps resetting or showing the wrong time, your computer's battery may be failing and needs replacement.
  • You can change your time zone separately from the clock itself, which is useful if you travel or move.

Windows: Step-by-Step Clock Change

Start by looking at the bottom right corner of your screen where the clock displays the current time. Right-click directly on the clock itself—not on the taskbar around it. A small menu will pop up. Select "Adjust date/time" or "Change date and time settings," depending on your Windows version.

A settings window will open. Look for the section labeled "Time" or "Date & time." If you see a toggle for "Set time automatically," make sure it is turned off before you try to change the time manually. Once it is off, you will see fields where you can type in the hour, minute, and second. Click on each field and type the correct numbers. After you finish, click "Save" or "explore" at the bottom of the window.

If you want to change your time zone as well—for example, if you moved to a different state—look for a dropdown menu labeled "Time zone" in the same window. Click it and select your zone from the list. Windows will update automatically when daylight saving time begins and ends if you leave automatic updates turned on.

Mac: Step-by-Step Clock Change

On a Mac, click the Apple menu in the top left corner of your screen. Select "System Settings" (or "System Preferences" on older versions). In the sidebar on the left, click "General." Then click "Date & Time" in the main panel.

You will see a toggle labeled "Set date and time automatically." Turn this off if you want to set the time yourself. Once it is off, the date and time fields will become clickable. Click on the time field and type in the hour and minute. The format is usually 24-hour time (so 2 p.m. is 14:00), but your Mac will show you which format it expects.

To change your time zone, look for a dropdown menu labeled "Time zone" in the same window. Click it and search for your city or region. Mac will show you the current time in that zone so you can confirm you picked the right one. Close the settings window when you are done, and your clock will update when ready.

When Your Clock Keeps Resetting or Showing the Wrong Time

If you set the time correctly but it resets to the wrong time the next time you restart your computer, your computer's internal battery is likely failing. Every computer has a small coin-shaped battery on the motherboard that keeps the clock running even when the power is off. When this battery dies, the clock forgets the time and reverts to a default date.

You can test this by setting the time, shutting down your computer completely, waiting a few minutes, and turning it back on. If the clock has reset, the battery needs replacement. This is a hardware repair—you will need to open the computer or take it to a repair shop. It is not something you can fix through settings.

In the meantime, turn on automatic time updates so your clock corrects itself as soon as you connect to the internet. This will not fix the underlying battery problem, but it will keep your clock accurate while you are using the computer.

Automatic Time Updates: Why You Should Turn Them On

Automatic time updates connect your computer to internet time servers that broadcast the exact current time. Your computer checks these servers regularly and adjusts its clock if it has drifted. This is the easiest way to keep your clock accurate without thinking about it.

On Windows, automatic updates are usually on by default. On Mac, they are also on by default. If you turned them off to set the time manually, turn them back on as soon as you are finished. To do this, go back to the date and time settings and toggle "Set time automatically" back on (Windows) or "Set date and time automatically" back on (Mac).

Automatic updates also handle daylight saving time for you. When the time changes in spring and fall, your computer will adjust automatically without you having to do anything. The exact dates vary by region—some places do not observe daylight saving time at all—but your computer knows the rules for your time zone and follows them.

Changing Your Time Zone Without Changing the Time

Your time zone setting is separate from the actual time on your clock. If you move to a different time zone or travel, you can change the zone without resetting the clock itself. Windows and Mac both have a dropdown menu for time zone in the date and time settings.

For example, if you live in New York and move to Los Angeles, you would change your time zone from Eastern to Pacific. Your clock will automatically adjust to show the correct local time in your new location. If automatic updates are on, this happens when ready. If they are off, you may need to restart your computer for the change to take effect.

Be careful not to confuse time zone changes with clock changes. Changing your time zone is meant for when you move or travel. Changing the actual time is meant for when your clock is running fast or slow. If you only need to change time zones, leave the automatic time updates on and just adjust the zone dropdown.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

If the time resets after you restart, your computer's internal battery is failing. If the time just drifts slowly throughout the day, turn on automatic time updates so your computer syncs with internet time servers. Automatic updates will correct the drift automatically.

Can I set my computer to show a different time than the actual time?

Yes, you can set any time you want in the settings, but this will affect all your programs and files. Timestamps on documents, emails, and photos will be wrong. Most people should leave automatic updates on instead and only change the time if you are testing software or have a specific reason.

What happens if I change my time zone but I am still in the same place?

Your clock will jump forward or backward by the difference between the zones. For example, changing from Eastern to Pacific time will set your clock back three hours. Only change your time zone if you actually moved or are traveling to a new zone.

Do I need to restart my computer after changing the clock?

No, the change takes effect when ready on both Windows and Mac. You will see the new time on your clock right away. You only need to restart if automatic updates are off and you want to make sure the change is saved.

Is it safe to turn off automatic time updates?

It is safe, but not recommended. Turning off automatic updates means your clock can drift out of sync, which can cause problems with email, file timestamps, and security certificates. Only turn it off if you have a specific reason, and turn it back on as soon as you are done.