Windows Time Server Configuration

Usually when I install a new Windows domain or want to change the time server, I have to perform some steps. The settings are as follows:



1. On the domain controller (usually the PDC), open the Registry (Regedit):

2. In the key: HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\W32Time\Parameters\Type

• Change "NT5DS" to "NTP" (without the quotes)

3. In the key: HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\W32Time\Parameters\NtpServer

• Add the DNS name or IP address of time source, separated by spaces. If given DNS names, put the "0x1" at the end of each name. To point to the Astronomical Observatory of Lisbon, the line is as follows: ntp02.oal.ul.pt, 0x1 ntp04.oal.ul.pt, 0x1

4. In the key: HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\W32Time\Config\AnnounceFlags

• Change from 10 to 5

5. Close the Registry and restart the Time Server service at a command prompt:

• net stop w32time && net start w32time

6. If necessary, you can force synchronization with the following command:

• w32tm /resync /rediscover

 7. If you wish to confirm that the server time is correct, can compare with:http://www.oal.ul.pt/hora.php (Lisbon Astronomical Observatory)

Another great tool that you can install in your PDC or another server is the Time Sync Tool, http://www.timesynctool.com/. It can run as a service and you can type different failover NTP servers, so that you can always be on time :)

You can download directly from here:
http://www.timesynctool.com/NetTimeSetup-314.exe