Using the NET TIME Command to Synchronize Windows XP Workstations (314090)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
This article was previously published under Q314090
For a Microsoft Windows 2000 version of this article, see 120944.

SUMMARY

This article offers a simple way to keep the time synchronized for all clients in the network.

MORE INFORMATION

In a network that has varied network client software, different workgroups, and different domains, maintaining a logon script that issues a net time command can become complex. The solution to keeping all workstations' time synchronized with a particular server is either to run a logon script for each workstation or to have each workstation run a batch file on its own after logging on to the network.

For example, assume that you have a server named Timesrv that has a reliable system clock. Here is an example batch file that can either run from the workstation or be called from (or be part of) a logon script:

net time \\timesrv /set /yes

Using just a server name instead of using the /domain or /workgroup parameter avoids the complexity of maintaining different logon scripts or batch files for the different types of network client software. If all of your workstations run the same type of network client software, you can use the /domain or /workgroup parameter. However, in a network that has a variety of network client software, it is easier to use the \\computername parameter.

Note that the net time command is enabled by default on all Windows XP workstations.

For additional information, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

307897 HOW TO: Synchronize the Time with the Windows Time Service

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:1/25/2002
Keywords:kbinfo kbnetwork KB314090
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.