The fastest way to change your time

The quickest route is to click the time in the bottom right corner of your screen, then click "Change date and time settings". From there, toggle off "Set time automatically" if it is on, then click "Change" under "Set the date and time manually". Enter the correct time and date, then click "OK".

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

The whole process takes under a minute if you know where to look. The sections below walk through each step in detail and cover what to do if the automatic setting keeps overriding your changes.

Key Takeaways

  • Click the time in the bottom right corner, then "Change date and time settings" to reach the time controls in under 10 seconds.
  • Turn off "Set time automatically" before you change the time manually, or Windows will override your entry within minutes.
  • If the time keeps resetting, your computer may be syncing with a time server — check that "Set time automatically" stays off after you restart.
  • The date and time settings also control your time zone, which affects how Windows displays time even if the clock itself is correct.

Step-by-step: using the clock menu

Look at the bottom right corner of your screen where the time appears. Click directly on the time or the date. A small panel will pop up showing the current date and time, along with a calendar for the current month.

At the bottom of this panel, click "Change date and time settings". This opens the Settings app to the Date & time page. You will see several options here, including "Set time automatically" near the top.

If "Set time automatically" is toggled on (the switch will be blue), click it to turn it off. Windows will no longer sync your clock with a time server, which means your manual changes will stick.

Below that, you will see a "Set the date and time manually" section with a "Change" button. Click "Change". A new window opens where you can enter the correct date and time using the fields provided.

Entering the correct date and time

The date and time window shows separate fields for the date and the time. Click in the date field first and type the date in the format shown — usually MM/DD/YYYY, though this depends on your region settings. For example, January 15, 2024 would be 01/15/2024.

Next, click in the time field and enter the time in hours, minutes, and seconds. Use 24-hour format if that is what the field shows, or 12-hour format with AM or PM if the field includes those options. For 3:45 in the afternoon, enter either 15:45 or 3:45 PM depending on which format your field uses.

Once both fields are filled correctly, click "OK". The window closes and you return to the Date & time settings page. Your new time should now appear in the clock at the bottom right of your screen.

Why the time keeps resetting to the wrong value

If you change the time but it reverts to the old time within a few minutes, "Set time automatically" is almost certainly still on. Return to the Date & time settings page and check that toggle again — it may have turned itself back on.

Some computers are set to sync with a time server automatically, and this setting can re-enable itself after a restart or update. If you need the time to stay manual, turn off "Set time automatically" and leave it off. You may need to do this again after a major Windows update.

If the time keeps changing even after you have turned off automatic sync, your computer's internal clock battery may be failing. This is a hardware issue and usually requires a technician to replace the battery on the motherboard. However, this is rare on laptops and newer desktops.

Checking and changing your time zone

Below the date and time settings, you will see "Time zone" with a dropdown menu. This controls which time zone Windows uses to display your clock. If your time is correct but your time zone is wrong, Windows will show the wrong time after you restart.

Click the time zone dropdown and scroll to find your region. Select it and click "OK". Your clock will adjust automatically to match the new zone. If you are unsure which zone you are in, search online for "time zone [your city]" to confirm.

Time zone changes take effect when ready, but the clock display may not update until you close and reopen the Settings app or restart your computer.

Using Settings instead of the clock menu

If the clock in the bottom right corner is not visible or not responding to clicks, you can reach the time settings through the Settings app directly. Press the Windows key and type "date and time" into the search box. Click "Date and time settings" from the results.

This opens the same Date & time page you would reach from the clock menu. From here, follow the same steps: turn off "Set time automatically", click "Change" under the manual time section, and enter your date and time.

This route is also useful if your taskbar is hidden or if you prefer to navigate through menus rather than clicking the clock.

What happens after you change the time

Once you have set the correct time and closed the settings window, Windows will use that time for all system functions — file timestamps, scheduled tasks, and the display clock. If you have turned off automatic sync, the time will remain as you set it until you change it again manually.

Some programs may cache the old time in memory. If a program shows the wrong time even after you have corrected the system clock, close and reopen that program. It will then read the correct time from Windows.

If you restart your computer and the time has reverted to the old value, "Set time automatically" has turned back on, or your computer's internal clock has lost power. Check the automatic sync setting first before assuming a hardware problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the time without turning off automatic sync?

No. If "Set time automatically" is on, Windows will override any manual time entry within a few minutes. You must turn off this setting first, and it may re-enable itself after updates or restarts. Check it again if your time keeps resetting.

What is the difference between changing the time and changing the time zone?

The time is the actual hour and minute. The time zone tells Windows which region you are in, so it can display the correct time for that region. Changing the zone alone will shift your clock by one or more hours. You usually only need to change the time if your clock is running fast or slow.

Why does my time change by one hour after I restart?

This usually means "Set time automatically" turned back on after an update, or your time zone setting changed. Check both the automatic sync toggle and the time zone dropdown in the Date & time settings. If both are correct but the time is still wrong, your computer's internal clock battery may need replacement.

Can I set the time to a different time zone without changing my location?

Yes. You can set the time zone to any region in the dropdown, regardless of where you actually are. However, this will make your clock show the wrong time for your actual location. Most users should set the time zone to match where they are physically located.

What if the Change button is grayed out?

This usually means "Set time automatically" is still on. Turn off that toggle first, and the Change button will become clickable. If it remains grayed out after you turn off automatic sync, you may not have permission to change the time. Try restarting your computer or contact your system administrator if this is a work computer.