There is a small battery integrated into your computer’s motherboard to keep the PC clock running even when the computer is turned off. When the battery runs out, you will start seeing error messages such as “System CMOS checksum bad – Default configuration used” when starting up the computer and the date and time getting reset back to the default BIOS manufacturer date. You can still start up the computer by pressing a button to resume the boot process and Windows will load as normal.
The problems start when you begin using the computer. Created, modified and accessed time on files and folders will get messed up, emails are marked with the wrong date, secure HTTPS websites won’t load in your web browser, evaluation periods of trial software may instantly expire, and etc. Windows has an automatic time synchronization feature to keep your computer’s clock accurate, but unfortunately, it is scheduled to only run once a week on some systems.
Founded in 2019, Creative App Design is a software organization based in the United Kingdom that offers a piece of software called Lite Sync. The Lite Sync software suite is Windows software. Lite Sync is file sync software, and includes features such as audit trail, and synchronization scheduling. Software pricing starts at $19.60/one-time/user. May 06, 2019 Now, every time you start Windows, your PC’s clock will sync with the server you selected or the one Dimension 4 selects each time it syncs. Atomic Clock Sync Atomic clocks are considered the.
Changing the integrated battery on the motherboard will solve the problem and it’s quite easy to accomplish on desktop computers but can be much harder to do on laptops. If you don’t want to or can’t take things apart, here are a few ways to automatically synchronize your PC clock on Windows startup. This way you don’t have to manually change the time settings each time you power up your computer.
From ChronoSync to Backblaze, and including free as well as paid-for services, here are the best Mac backup software and online backup services out there By Kenny Hemphill, Contributor 15 Jan 20.
1. Time-SyncTime-Sync is a free and simple to use Windows time correction tool that installs and runs itself as a Windows service. After install, the default configuration is to run at Windows startup and automatically perform a time synchronization when the service is started. You can verify sync status from the Protocol tab.
In the Settings tab, you can configure event logging and the update interval. The update interval contains selections as fast as every half a minute to once every day. If your computer is having battery problems and not maintaining the time, select “Synchronize every day” so that the program doesn’t unnecessarily perform time synchronizations.
Time-Sync supports up to five time servers which can also be configured in the Settings tab. It uses the first server on the list and automatically attempts the next one if it fails. The default pool.ntp.org entries should be very reliable with over four thousand time servers worldwide. Make sure to install the default client version during install and not the server version. Otherwise, your computer will turn into its own time server!
Download Time-Sync
2. NetTime
The last stable release of NetTime was back in 2012 although there is an alpha 3.20 build from 2017. Compatibility is fine though and it works on the latest Windows 10. NetTime can be used in two different ways; either syncing the time in the background using a Windows Service or launching the main program and letting it sync then sit in the system tray. The second option requires administrator privileges.
During install, NetTime defaults to running as a service which is recommended. Turn the option off to run the sync manually or from the main program. The default settings will query four pool.ntp.org servers although you can edit or add your own. It will keep trying every minute and update every 12 hours. If you want to let the service update the time in the background, uncheck “Show NetTime icon in the system tray at login”.
To run without the service, NetTime has to be permanently run as administrator (even if you are an admin). Go to the NetTime folder in Program Files (x86), right click on NetTime.exe > Properties > Compatibility > “Run this program as administrator”. In the Settings, leave “Show NetTime icon in the system tray at login” checked but uncheck “Start NetTime service at bootup”.
Download NetTime
3. Meinberg NTP
Like some of the previous tools, Meinberg NTP uses a Windows service for its time syncing. The program is based on source code from NTP.org who also list thousands of worldwide time servers. The newer versions of NTP support IPv6 and Windows XP or newer systems while there is another version from 2010 available for older PCs. NTP requires administrator privileges to install.
During the install process, you can leave the main settings at the defaults until the Configuration File Settings window appears. Check “Create an initial configuration file with the following settings” and then select a region or country from the pool.ntp.org drop down list. Click Next and then click No to not review the generated config file and at the next window leave everything alone. Click Next and Finish.
The Meinberg NTP service will set the time after the install is complete and on every boot. It is configured to keep checking for a network connection on startup in case there is a delay before your network adapter is initialized. If you want to sync the time during a session, the service will have to be restarted. You can do that from the Start Menu, the Program Files folder, the Services Control Panel applet or the command line.
Download Meinberg NTP
4. Dimension 4
Dimension 4 is one of the most well known time syncing tools for Windows. Sadly, the project appears to have been abandoned with no updates since 2013 and the website disappeared in early 2020. Although Dimension 4 has a huge list of time servers that it can cycle through, because of its age a number of them don’t work. As a result, you might get several sync failures before a success.
To help with this issue, bad time servers can be removed and you are also able to add your own. Dimension 4 can be told to use a specific server from the Advanced menu if you want it to use just one and not the rest of the list (as long as you’re sure it’s a reliable time server).
One problem is getting Dimension 4 to work on boot, usually for Windows 10 systems. It pops up a window asking for administrator privileges to start the service, even if you are already an administrator. A trick to get around that is to manually start the Dimension4 service on boot using a scheduled task. We have included a batch script to add a new scheduled task in the Zip archive, simply right click and run it as administrator.
There are a few settings that you need to take note of in the main program window. Make sure “Once loaded, wait until online” and “Synchronize once, then exit” are checked. Uncheck “Maximum correction” or the time will only sync if it’s currently within the specified time range. If you are running Dimension 4 without using the scheduled task, “Load Dimension 4 at startup” can also be enabled.
Download Dimension 4 inc Scheduled Task Fix
5. Neutron
If you prefer a simpler tool that just syncs the time without too much fuss, check out Neutron. What makes Neutron stand out is the small file size (10KB), it’s portable, it automatically retries the next time server when the current one fails and has the ability to sync on startup. Importantly, Neutron can also exit after the time has been synced so nothing runs in the background. Neutron’s an old tool dating back to 2008 but it still works in Windows 10.
Download and extract the Zip, launch Neutron and click the arrows at the bottom right to open the options panel. Check the “Auto sync at program startup” and “Exit after time has been synced” boxes, then close Neutron. It will automatically sync the time and quit. Edit the Neutron.ini settings file to add your own custom time servers. There is a problem because Neutron is portable and doesn’t have the ability to start itself on boot. Help on how to do that is below.
Download Neutron
Run Neutron on Windows Startup
Neutron can automatically check the system time during boot by creating a scheduled task. In newer operating systems like Windows 10 and 8/8.1 placing a shortcut in the Startup folder or creating a registry Run key no longer works due to administrator privileges.
A scheduled task has some advantages such as bypassing UAC restrictions completely and optionally only launching after the system has connected to the network. That is useful if your network adapter takes several seconds to initialize. Here’s how to do it:
a) Extract and set up the Neutron options as explained above. Copy the Neutron folder to the root of your C: drive. The path should look like this:
C:NeutronNeutron.exe
b) To try and simplify the process we’ve already created a scheduled task to be imported into your Task Scheduler. Download NeutronTime_Task.zip, extract it, right click and “Run as administrator”.
c) Type in the password for the current user account, if the account has no password just press Enter.
A new task will appear in Task Scheduler which runs whenever the system boots and/or the network is initialized. Neutron will start, sync the time and close after 5 seconds.
The batch script relies on the Neutron folder being in the root of C. If you want to change the location, open NeutronTime.xml with Notepad and change the path to Neutron.exe near the bottom. Then (re)run the batch file.
Note: A small issue you might encounter with Neutron is the clock sync being out by one hour but all time zone settings are correct. To fix this, click on the taskbar clock > Adjust Date/time > Change time zone (Windows 7 only), choose a different time zone from the drop down (make sure it has a different + or – time), then change it back to your original time zone. This fixed the issue for us.
There is lots more information on synchronizing time servers and using third party time servers on page 2.
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5 Ways to Disable User Account Control (UAC) for Specific Software5 Ways to Show Administrator Account on Windows Logon Screen5 Ways to Identify Which Service or Driver Failed During System Startup4 Ways to Automatically Disable Wireless Network Connection when Local Area Connection is EnabledI need a program that adjusts the clock automatically every 5 or 10 minutes. Could you recommend one, please?
ReplyNetTime can adjust on a custom timed schedule, just set the number to 5 or 10 and set to minutes in the drop down, look at the image and the Update Interval option.
Dimension 4 can also do it, Time-Sync has options for 1 or 30 minutes.
ReplyMany tanks Raymond,
needed a quick end effective solution and as usual found it here.
As a long time user of “Dimesion 4” on XP, without problems, searched for an up to date alternative,
“Time-Sync” has done the job.
Yes I know, shouldn’t be so lazy and go get a new battery.
Thank you very much! The Pool.ntp.org works for me. (^_^)
Replythanks! It’s good experience
Replytime-sync works d4 doesnt work,neutron sync when you click but 1 hour ahead of real time.
I tried change the time manual to see how it will be adjusted and it took just one second for time -sync to adjust
D4 works fine and we still use it here sometimes. If you read the article, we explain the Neutron 1 hour issue and how to fix it.
ReplyThanks man. The ntp servers work perfectly with widows too apparently. Thank you again.
Replyhi desktop dell optiplex3050 time and date always change after power off i do any troubleshooting but not working
ReplyWhat about Meinberg NTP??? Come on
ReplyHi
Mac File Sync
Time-Sync is best app and works perfectly
Thanks raymond
ReplyNetTime is another perfect tool to sync time…
timesynctool.com
Create_WindowsTimeSync_Task.bat does not work in Window 7 Home Premium:
*** Create WindowsTimeSync Scheduled Task by Raymond.cc ***
ERROR: Invalid argument/option – ‘Time’.
Type “SCHTASKS /CREATE /?” for usage.
Press any key to continue …
Just tried it myself on both Windows 7 Home Premium 32bit and 64bit, works fine and as intended. Must be an issue local to your system.
Replykindly sent link for windows timesync
ReplyWell, or you use the comfortable PTBSync, which does not only adjust your clock when a user is logged in. The backgound service does this also without user (optimal for servers) You can enter 2 time servers. If one fails the other one is taken. For people behind a firewall which blocks NTP port 123 you can even sync with a HTTP time server. Additionally you have a configurable Desktop calendar, which displays the current weather, a scheduler and a configurable trayclock which may show seconds. Strange that this program is missing here. PTBSync is donationware which means that you can use it for free but you are asked to give a donation to an ONG for using it. Description with serveral screenshots here: netcult.ch/elmue/ElmueSoft-en.htm
Replythank you valuable article after hour of searching!
ReplyThank you for the article. I downloaded Neutron, made a shortcut on the desktop, changed the shortcut with the small program UACpass, and put the new shortcut in the startup folder. This works fine on my Win 7.
ReplyMy english is poor but i try to text my problem
i have problem in my pc cmos bettery holder or in motherboard. when i restart my pc date is 1 1 2005 then my some software like 3dsmax, corel draw ,etc have some error ….and my pc not have internet connection and not connected any network pc …can have utility that custome time in boot ….i dont want to sync exect date or time …..can have any utility that custome time in boot and fix date start like when i start time like 01 01 2015. ….have software?
ReplyNeutron works like a charm.
Thanks a lot.
Time Sync Software For Mac Windows 7
ReplyPersonally, I just create a Windows Task:
%windir%system32sc.exe start w32time task_started
%windir%system32w32tm.exe /resync
Runs at 1:15am every day and makes sure time stays in sync using built in Windows NTP client.
ReplyGreat advice…. assuming i could get omline,whch i cant.
ReplyThanks for all this, but I downloaded the batch file NeutronTime_Task.zip and extracted it to create the Neutron Time task. It creates the task in the task scheduler, but every time I reboot the computer, the task disappear. I don’t really understand why, if someone can help me with this..
ReplyA scheduled task should not disappear during a reboot after it has been created. Are you running some sort of security software that is watching the tasks?
ReplyI have Avast Premium and I run BoostSpeed 9, but I don’t anything else that could interfere with the task. I also had Unchecky that I have uninstalled who was running from the start. Could it be that because i created a scheduled task of synchronizing the time every day that the system deletes the Neutron task? I don’t really know what to do.
ReplyOnce the task is created and you can confirm it’s present in Task Scheduler, the task will not be deleted by Windows itself, something else must be removing the entry. It won’t matter if you are using Windows Vista, 7, 8 or 10.
You can always use the other method of placing a shortcut for Neutron in your Startup folder if the task is giving you so much trouble. We like the task method but it’s not the only way to run Neutron on boot.
ReplyThanks for reminding me of the method of the startup folder, I had forgotten about that one! It will be much simpler and I don’t think it will be deleted. I hope so that it will stay there! Thanks.
Thanks for the useful articles, as for additional info, I have using CMDTIME to solve bios clock reset, seems the motherboard issue instead of battery since i have try to replace the battery but the problem still persist. I simply put this small cmdtime batch file to windows 7 64 startup, as long as you have internet connection it will work like charm. Please check it here autohotkey.com/board/topic/2618-synchronize-clock-with-internet-time-servers-at-startup/
ReplyIn my experience w32time will not sync the time on the first attempt, because the time sample usually is “stale” (as reported by w32tm cli tool). To solve this, I ran a batch file which invoked w32tm /resync three times with pauses of 4-5 seconds, or alternatively set the SpecialPollInterval very low initially, and then changed it to normal. Interesting trigger for that task scheduler. I figured I could ping an IP to wait for network to become available instead. This also works on XP. To keep the service running on Seven I deleted the scheduled task that already existed.
Disappointingly, on XP I received no clear description of the error either in control panel or in the event log, until after after one poll interval had elapsed. Understanding and configuring W32time is just like NetBIOS shares, where the only feedback Windows gives is “access denied” after a loong delay…
Thank you for the link to Dimension 4. It is smaller than Meinberg NTP.
ReplyGood blog posting as usual Raymond. I run much profitable ecommerce store and I sometime need to process a payment on my personal computer if my portal fails. If the time on my labtop does not match with the payment system the payment fail. It is critical that my time is write so I’m happy for these informations.
Free File Sync For Mac
ReplyFile Sync Software Mac
Thanks for this post. I installed immediately Neutron on my portable.
Replyvery interesting.
ReplyD4 user for years.
ReplyI have been using Atomic Clock Sync: a free configuration utility for years provided by worldtimeserver.com/atomic-clock/, simple, reliable.
ReplyIt is indeed a useful tool and we looked at it, unfortunately it has several shortcomings for what we are doing in the article. It cannot auto sync on starting the program, cannot quit once synced, cannot contact any other servers besides time.nist.gov and relies on the Windows Time service (which can be hit and miss).
Remember, the article is not about general or useful time syncing tools, but tools that can auto sync with a time server when starting your computer.
ReplyIs there a time server based on http rather than ntp? The proxy server at work seems to block ntp.
ReplyDimension 4 allows you to setup a time server over http, more information on how to do it is in their FAQ:
thinkman.com/dimension4/faq.htm