Windows Date & Time

Have you ever correctly set the Date and Time in Windows and later noticed that it has mysteriously become incorrect?

Perhaps not and this may all sound a little crazy but it is completely possible.

Windows XP amongst other operating systems has the ability to synchronise with an Internet Time Server which is often enabled as default.

This setting can be seen by selecting the 'Internet Time' tab of the Date and Time Properties window as pictured bellow:

If set correctly, it does as suggested and updates the PC's date & time with a time server however, this often overlooked feature can also cause confusion.

What may go unnoticed are the other settings which affect time synchronisation which can be seen on the 'Time Zone' tab as pictured bellow:

Although the PC may be configured to the correct regional settings, it also possible that the time zone may be incorrect which will cause a predictable difference when the time is synchronised.

Manually adjusting the Date & Time would only temporarily correct the situation as synchronisation would use the incorrect time zone to set the system clock.

To ensure time is synchronised correctly, ensure the correct Time Zone or alternatively disable synchronisation altogether.