How to change time server on Windows 11

• Windows 11 lets you change the time server to improve clock accuracy using the Settings app, Control Panel, or Command Prompt.
• From Settings, open Time & language > Date & time > Change the time server, enter a new NTP address, and click “Sync now.”
• From Control Panel, navigate to Clock and Region > Date and Time > Internet Time > Change settings, enter the new server, and click “Update now.”
• From Command Prompt (admin), run w32tm /config /manualpeerlist:"time.google.com" /syncfromflags:manual /update and w32tm /resync /force.

On Windows 11, the time server is a service that uses the Network Time Protocol (NTP) to automatically synchronize your computer’s clock with a highly accurate external reference clock.

The default time server used by Windows 11 and other non-domain-joined computers is typically time.windows.com, which Microsoft maintains.

The service responsible for this synchronization is the Windows Time service (W32Time), which periodically checks the configured time server (over UDP port 123) to ensure your local clock is accurate. Accurate timekeeping is crucial for proper network function, secure communication (such as Kerberos authentication), and correct timestamps on documents and log files.

If you must update the time server to a different service to improve accuracy or you prefer a different server, you can complete this task in at least three ways using the new option in the Settings, as well as from the Control Panel, and using Command Prompt.

In this guide, I’ll outline the different ways to change the time server on Windows 11.

• Change time server on Windows 11 using Settings
• Change time server on Windows 11 using Control Panel
• Change time server on Windows 11 using Command Prompt

Change time server on Windows 11 using Settings

To change the time server using the Settings app, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings on Windows 11.

2. Click on Time & language.

3. Click the Date & time setting.

4. Click the Sync now setting under the “Additional settings” section.

5. Click the Change button for the “Change the time server” setting.

   

6. (Option 1) Confirm the new time server.

   

7. (Option 2) Confirm the time.windows.com address to restore the original configuration.

8. Click the OK button.

9. Click the Sync now button to synchronize the time with the new server.

Once you complete the steps, the time will sync with the newly specified server.

The option in the Settings app has been available on Windows 11 since the release of the October 2025 Security Update.

Change time server on Windows 11 using Control Panel

To set a different time server from the Control Panel, follow these steps:

1. Open Control Panel.

2. Click on Clock and Region.

3. Click on Date and Time.

   

4. Click the Internet Time tab.

5. Click the Change settings button.

   

6. Confirm the new time server. For example, pool.ntp.org.

   

7. Click the Update now button.

8. Click the OK button.

After you complete the steps, the computer will sync its clock with the new time server.

Change time server on Windows 11 using Command Prompt

To change the Windows 11 time server using commands, follow these steps:

1. Open Start.

2. Search for Command Prompt (or Terminal), right-click the top result, and choose the Run as administrator option.

3. Type this command to start the w32tm service and press Enter:

   net start w32time

   

4. Type this command to check the configuration (look for the NtpServer entry) and press Enter:

   w32tm /query /configuration

5. Type this command to change the time server (for example, to the Google service) and press Enter:

   w32tm /config /manualpeerlist:"time.google.com" /syncfromflags:manual /update

   

   In the command, change time.google.com to the time server you want to use. Another common public server is the pool.ntp.org.

6. (Optional) Type this command to restart the Windows Time Server and press Enter:

   net stop w32time && net start w32time

7. Type the following command to force sync with the time server and press Enter:

   w32tm /resync /force

8. Type this command to check the new configuration (look for the NtpServer entry) and press Enter:

   w32tm /query /configuration

Once you complete the steps, the command will update and synchronize your computer’s time with the new time server address.

It’s important to note that these instructions also include a command to start the win32time service, which may seem odd since the computer is constantly syncing the clock with the configured external service. The reason for this behavior is that the operating system only runs this service at specific intervals, so when it’s not necessary, it’s automatically stopped.

FAQs about changing the time server on Windows 11

Here’s a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) and answers about changing the operating system time server.

What is a time server in Windows 11?

A time server on Windows 11 is a service that uses the Network Time Protocol (NTP) to automatically synchronize your computer’s internal clock with a reliable external reference source. This ensures accurate timekeeping for secure communication, proper authentication, and correct timestamps on files and logs.

What is the default time server on Windows 11?

By default, Windows 11 (and non-domain-joined systems) use time.windows.com, a Microsoft-maintained NTP server that keeps your system clock in sync.

Why is accurate time important on Windows 11?

Precise timekeeping ensures that system processes, authentication protocols like Kerberos, scheduled tasks, and timestamps on documents and log files work correctly. Even minor clock drift can cause synchronization errors, security issues, or network communication problems.

Can I use a custom NTP server on Windows 11?

Yes. You can replace the default Microsoft server with any public or private NTP service, such as time.google.com or pool.ntp.org, to improve accuracy or reliability. However, you can choose from many other services.

How can I change the time server using Settings?

Go to Settings > Time & language > Date & time, click Change under “Change the time server,” enter a new NTP address, and select “Sync now.” This option was introduced with the October 2025 Security Update.

How do I change the time server using the Control Panel?

Open Control Panel > Clock and Region > Date and Time, go to the Internet Time tab, click “Change settings,” enter the new time server, and select “Update now” to sync immediately.

How can I change the time server using Command Prompt?

Run Command Prompt as administrator and use the w32tm /config /manualpeerlist:"time.google.com" /syncfromflags:manual /update and w32tm /resync /force commands.

What port does Windows use for time synchronization?

The Windows Time service (W32Time) communicates with NTP servers through UDP port 123.

Why does the Windows Time service (W32Time) sometimes stop automatically?

The W32Time service only runs at specific intervals to perform synchronization. When it’s not actively syncing, Windows stops the service automatically to conserve resources. You can start it manually with the command net start w32time.

When did Microsoft add the option to change the time server in Settings?

The option to change the time server directly from the Settings app became available starting with the October 2025 Security Update for Windows 11.