Synchronize the clock on your Windows computer to a time server at IU

Use the net time command

The most straightforward method to synchronize to a time server is to use the Windows net time command. If you connect to a Novell server, your computer's clock is automatically updated.

net time \\ntp.mynetwork.com /set /y

At Indiana University, you must be logged into the ADS domain on the IU network (via either a direct or VPN connection) before you can synchronize to IU's time server. To use the net time command:

1. Navigate to an elevated command prompt.
2. At the command prompt, enter:

   net time \\ads.iu.edu /set /y

3. At the command prompt, enter exit to return to Windows.

Possible errors and solutions

Occasionally, you will see one or more of the following error messages when attempting the net time command:

System error 5

System error 53 has occurred

Network path not found

If you get one of these error messages, try the following solutions:

• Re-enter the net time command. Repeat the steps above. There are many reasons why net time may fail to synchronize with a time server the first time (for example, there may be too many concurrent server requests). If you've entered the command immediately after your computer booted up, it may not have had enough time to load all of the necessary Windows components.
• Verify that you have permission to use that network's time server. For example, to use IU's time server, you must first log into the ADS domain. If you are not connected to the IU network, you will be rejected when you attempt to synchronize to ads.iu.edu. Other networks have different rules for access; consult the administrators of the network you wish to synchronize to.

Alternate method for synchronizing your computer's clock to IU's time server

1. Navigate to an elevated command prompt.
2. At the command prompt, enter:

   w32TM /config /syncfromflags:manual /manualpeerlist:ntp.indiana.edu

3. Enter:

   w32tm /config /update

4. Enter:

   w32tm /resync

5. At the command prompt, enter exit to return to Windows.