In Windows, how do I change the time zone?

Daylight Saving Time (DST) begins on the second Sunday of March and ends on the first Sunday in November in the US. For exact dates, see What are the start and end dates for Daylight Saving Time in the US?

In Windows 7 and Vista, anyone except a Guest can change the time zone by default. In Windows XP and 2000, you must be logged into your computer as an administrator to do so.

Note: At Indiana University, the University Information Security Office (UISO) recommends that you normally refrain from running your Windows computer as an administrator. For more, see What is the principle of least privilege?

1. To access the date and time options, in Windows 7 or Vista, click the clock in your Taskbar once, and then click Change date and time settings... at the bottom. In earlier versions of Windows, double-click the clock in your Taskbar.

   Alternatively, from the Start menu, choose either Control Panel, or Settings and then Control Panel. Ensure you are in Icon View (Windows 7) or Classic View (Vista or XP), and then double-click the Date and Time icon.

2. In Windows 7 or Vista, click Change time zone... . In XP and earlier, click the Time Zone tab.
   
   
3. From the drop-down menu, select the appropriate time zone (e.g., (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada) for the Eastern time zone or (GMT-06:00) Central Time (US & Canada) for the Central time zone).
   
   
4. In most of the US, including Indiana, make sure the checkbox for adjusting automatically for DST is checked.
   
   
5. Click OK.

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