On my personal computer, 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?

This document provides instructions on how to change the time zone setting on your personal computer.

On this page:

• Windows
• Mac OS X
• Mac OS 9

Windows

1. In Windows Vista, by default any user other than a Guest can change the time zone. In Windows XP and 2000, you must be logged into your computer as an administrator.

   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?

2. To access the date and time options, in Windows Vista, click the clock in your Taskbar once and then click the Change date and time settings... link 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. Then double-click the Date and Time icon.

3. In Windows Vista, click Change time zone... . In Windows XP and earlier, click the Time Zone tab.
   
   
4. 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).
   
   
5. In most of the US, including Indiana, make sure the checkbox for adjusting automatically for DST is checked.
   
   
6. Click OK.

Mac OS X

1. From the Apple menu, select System Preferences... . Then, in the System Preferences window, click Date & Time.
   
   
2. Click Time Zone.
   
   
3. Next to "Closest City:", choose a city in your time zone.

   Note: The latest versions of Mac OS X use DST automatically for Indiana. If you have Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger), make sure you are running at least 10.4.5, and use Software Update to upgrade if needed. For more information, see For Mac OS or Mac OS X, how do I obtain and install system software updates? If you're running Mac OS X 10.3 or earlier and you're in Indiana, click a city in your time zone that is not in the state of Indiana, for example, Atlanta - USA (Eastern) or Austin - USA (Central).

Mac OS 9

1. From the Apple menu, choose Control Panels and then Date & Time.
   
   
2. For most of the US, including Indiana, check the button next to Set Daylight-Saving Time Automatically.
   
   
3. Click Set Time Zone... , and in the Set Time Zone window, choose a city in your time zone, for example, Atlanta U.S.A. (Eastern) or Chicago U.S.A. (Central). Click OK.

Also see:

• Time zones in Indiana