How to Change the Time Server in Windows 11

To change the time server in Windows 11, open Settings > Time & language > Date & time, and use the time server option under Additional settings to change the server to the NTP server you want. Then select Sync now to synchronize. These steps use Windows 11 menus.

Change the server in Settings

Open Settings, select Time & language, then choose Date & time. Under Additional settings, find the option to change your time server.

Change the server to the NTP server you want to use. Select Sync now to request synchronization with your chosen server. Availability of this interface depends on installed updates and organizational policy.

If your Settings page lacks the server control, use Control Panel on a PC that is not joined to an Active Directory domain. For a domain-joined PC, have your administrator configure the source through policy or restore domain-controlled synchronization using the commands below.

Use Internet Time in Control Panel

On a PC that is not joined to an Active Directory domain, open Control Panel, then open Date and Time. In Category view, select Clock and Region first, then select Date and Time. Choose the Internet Time tab and select Change settings....

Check Synchronize with an Internet time server. In Server, select the server you want to use from the available choices. Select Update now to synchronize, then select OK and OK again to close Date and Time.

Set the server from Command Prompt

Search for Command Prompt and select Run as administrator. Changing the configuration this way requires local administrator privileges. Keep that administrator window open for the configuration, synchronization, and source check.

If the Windows Time service is stopped, start it before configuring the server. Run this command in the administrator window:

net start w32time

Replace SERVER in the following command with your desired NTP hostname. Keep the quotation marks and ,0x8 after the hostname, then run the command to apply the manual server configuration:

w32tm /config /manualpeerlist:"SERVER,0x8" /syncfromflags:manual /update

Next, request synchronization using the updated configuration. Run this command in the same administrator window:

w32tm /resync /rediscover

After requesting synchronization, check which time source Windows reports. Run the following command in the administrator window:

w32tm /query /source

Compare the reported source with the server you configured. On a managed computer, organizational policy can override your local configuration, so have your administrator check the policy if your choice does not take effect.

Configure the server through Group Policy

Use Local Group Policy Editor on Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, Education, or an applicable IoT Enterprise edition. Local Group Policy Editor is unavailable in Home, where you can use the applicable Settings, Control Panel, or command method instead. Open the editor with this command:

gpedit.msc

Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Windows Time Service > Time Providers. Open Configure Windows NTP Client and select Enabled. Set NtpServer to your desired hostname followed by ,0x8, and set Type to NTP.

Select Apply, then OK. Open Enable Windows NTP Client and select Enabled. Select Apply, then OK again. If you administer a domain, you can deploy the equivalent settings through a domain Group Policy Object.

Deploy the server through device management

If you administer managed devices, configure the server through your organization's MDM service. Microsoft supports this policy on Windows 11 version 21H2 and later for Pro, Enterprise, Education, IoT Enterprise, and IoT Enterprise LTSC. Console menu labels depend on your MDM product.

Using SyncML, configure the device-scoped policy identified by ./Device/Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/ADMX_W32Time/W32TIME_POLICY_CONFIGURE_NTPCLIENT. Enable the policy, supply the desired NtpServer hostname and flags, and set Type to NTP. Also enable W32TIME_POLICY_ENABLE_NTPCLIENT, the policy that turns on the Windows NTP Client, then assign the configuration to the intended devices.

Restore domain synchronization

On a domain-joined Windows 11 computer, you can return a manually configured PC to its organizational time sources. Search for Command Prompt, select Run as administrator, then run this command to switch source selection back to the domain hierarchy:

w32tm /config /syncfromflags:domhier /update

Next, request synchronization through the domain hierarchy. Run this command in the same administrator window:

w32tm /resync /rediscover

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Windows 11 versions received the updated time server setting?

The updated Date & time interface rolled out for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2 in 2025. Whether it appears on your PC depends on installed updates and organizational policy.

Can you use PowerShell or Windows Terminal instead of Command Prompt?

Yes, the same w32tm executable works from an elevated PowerShell or Windows Terminal session. Run the session as an administrator before using the configuration commands.

Can Control Panel ask for administrator credentials?

Yes, administrator credentials may be required when changing Internet Time settings in Control Panel. Provide those credentials if prompted.

Does the Control Panel method work on Windows 11 Home and non HP computers?

Yes, the Internet Time method applies to Windows 11 Home and Pro PCs that are not joined to an Active Directory domain. The interface is a Windows feature and is not limited to HP computers.