The fastest way to change your PC's clock

The quickest route is to click the clock in your system tray—the bottom right corner of your screen where the time appears—and select "Change date and time settings." Windows will open a panel where you can type in the correct time and date. The whole process takes about 30 seconds if you know what time it should be.

If that panel does not open when you click the clock, or if you need to change the time zone instead of just the time itself, you can reach the same settings through the Settings app. Both paths lead to the same controls, so use whichever one appears first.

Key Takeaways

  • Click the clock in the bottom right corner of your screen and select "Change date and time settings" to open the time adjustment panel directly.
  • You can also open Settings, go to Time & Language, then Date & Time to reach the same controls if the clock click does not work.
  • Turn off "Set time automatically" if Windows keeps resetting your changes, because that feature overrides manual adjustments.
  • If your clock is wrong after restart, your computer's internal battery may be failing and will need replacement by a technician.

Changing the time through the system tray

Look at the bottom right corner of your screen where the time displays. Click directly on the time or date. A small popup will appear with the current date and time, and you should see a link that says "Change date and time settings" near the bottom of that popup.

Click that link. The Date & Time settings panel will open. You will see fields for the month, day, year, and time. Click inside the time field and type the correct time using the format shown (usually hours, minutes, and seconds). Click outside the field or press Enter when you are done typing. Windows will save the change when ready.

If you do not see the "Change date and time settings" link in the popup, close it and try the Settings app method instead—your system may have a slightly different layout.

Using the Settings app to change the time

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then pressing Enter. Once Settings opens, click "Time & Language" in the left menu. Then click "Date & Time" in the submenu that appears.

You will see a section labeled "Date and time" with fields for the date and time. Click the date field first and change it if needed, then click the time field and enter the correct time. The format will be shown in the field itself. After you type the new time, click outside the field or press Enter to save it.

The Settings app also shows your current time zone near the top of the panel. If your time is correct but the zone is wrong, click the time zone dropdown and select the correct one from the list.

Turning off automatic time adjustment

Windows has a feature called "Set time automatically" that pulls the correct time from the internet and overrides any manual changes you make. If you change the time and it keeps resetting back to the wrong time a few seconds later, this feature is the reason.

To turn it off, open Settings and go to Time & Language, then Date & Time. Look for the toggle labeled "Set time automatically" and click it to turn it off. The toggle will turn gray, and Windows will stop overriding your manual adjustments. You can now change the time and it will stay changed.

Most of the time you should leave this feature on, because it keeps your clock accurate without you having to think about it. Turn it off only if you have a specific reason to run your clock at a different time than the actual time.

What to do if the time resets after you restart

If you change the time, restart your computer, and the time goes back to being wrong, your computer's internal clock battery is likely failing. This battery keeps the system clock running even when the PC is powered off. When it dies, the clock forgets the time and reverts to a default.

This is a hardware issue that requires opening the computer case and replacing the coin-cell battery on the motherboard. This is not a task for someone without experience opening computers—contact a repair technician or the manufacturer for help. In the meantime, you can turn "Set time automatically" back on so Windows will correct the time each time you start up and connect to the internet.

Changing the time zone without changing the time

If you moved to a different time zone or your location is set wrong, you can change the zone without affecting the actual time. Open Settings, go to Time & Language, then Date & Time. Find the "Time zone" dropdown near the top of the panel.

Click the dropdown and scroll through the list to find your zone. The list is organized by region and offset from UTC (Coordinated Universal Time), so look for your city or the closest major city in your zone. Click it to select it. Windows will when ready adjust the time display to match the new zone, but the actual system time underneath stays the same.

Common mistakes when changing the clock

The most common error is forgetting that "Set time automatically" is on. You change the time, walk away, and it snaps back to the internet time within seconds. Check that toggle first if your changes do not stick.

Another mistake is confusing the time zone with the time itself. If you just moved and the clock shows the wrong time, you probably need to change the time zone, not manually type in a new time. Changing the zone is faster and will fix the problem permanently.

A third mistake is typing the time in the wrong format. The field will show you what format it expects—usually 24-hour time (13:00 instead of 1:00 PM) or 12-hour time with AM/PM. Match that format exactly or Windows will reject the entry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my clock show the wrong time even though I changed it?

"Set time automatically" is probably turned on and overriding your change. Open Settings, go to Time & Language, then Date & Time, and turn off the "Set time automatically" toggle. Your manual time will then stay in place.

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

Yes. Open Settings, go to Time & Language, then Date & Time. Scroll down to the "Related settings" section and click "Additional date, time, & regional settings." Click "Change the date, time, or number format," then click "Administrative," then "Change date, time, or number formats" again. You can change the time format in the Formats tab.

What if I cannot find the time zone I need in the dropdown?

The dropdown lists time zones by region and UTC offset. If you cannot find your exact city, look for the nearest major city in your zone or the zone name itself (like "Eastern Standard Time"). Windows will explore the correct offset for your location.

Does changing the clock affect my files or programs?

Changing the time can affect file timestamps and scheduled tasks, but it will not damage files or break programs. If you set the time far in the past, some programs may behave oddly until you correct it. Set it back to the actual time as soon as you can.

Why does my clock reset to the wrong time every time I turn on my PC?

Your computer's internal clock battery is failing. This battery keeps the system time when the PC is off. You will need a technician to replace it. Until then, turn on "Set time automatically" so Windows corrects the time when you connect to the internet.