Windows 7: Can't set Internet Time

Time is not set by the usual method as we used to do with XP in the Control Panel or Services. Now to sync time or to set a time interval you have to modify "Time Synchronization" in the Task Scheduler > Time Synchronization (or create a new schedule as I did) (I disabled the built-in time schedule and created my own). Also using the registry to modify time synch does not work in Windows 7.



The only method that Windows 7 uses to synch time is through "Time Synchronization". You can use the Control Panel > Date and Time > Internet Time to set the server you use, but Windows 7 uses Time Synchronization in the Task Scheduler and not the Windows Time found in Services.msc to sync time. I have my Windows Time set to manual. Task Scheduler runs my task every 2 hours to synch time.

Very interesting.

Do you get any UAC interactions at all with your approach?

When I first used Clockwise with Windows 7, I had to set the properties of "Clockwise.exe" to "run as administrator" in order to avoid UAC error popups when it wanted to "update the system clock", and also to "update system registry key" at program close or Windows 7 shutdown. The program still has WinXP design, and obviously needs to be revised to conform to new Windows 7 expectations.

There is still a UAC message when the program is launched concerning "requires authorization to update the system", however, and "run as administrator" does not prevent that.

These are all planned for correction in an upcoming Windows 7-compatible version.

In the task scheduler is does say that the Windows Time service is used for this.

I have UAC turned off.

I haven't seen a need for UAC, but I suspect there would not be a problem if UAC was on since Task Scheduler is being used.


Windows Time service is used but not the way it was used in XP. Task Scheduler > Time Synchronization uses Windows Time, but Windows Time does not have to be set to Auto. (Task Scheduler) Time Sychronization turns Windows Time on/off as needed. In XP, we used to adjust time via the registry, but not so in Windows 7. The time servers are used in the Date and Time applet in Windows 7, but that's all.

So the time that is displayed is not windows time as read by apps and schedulers?

I, too, have UAC turned off on my own machines. So I never even realized that there was a UAC-related issue with the WinXP-designed Clockwise from my own inhouse experience.

It was only when I went to install Clockwise on other family/friend Windows 7 machines (e.g. new laptops, new replacement home desktops, etc.) who DID have UAC active that I even discovered the set of problems.

So now I'm curious as to what your experience would be (if only for a brief experiment) if you elevated UAC to be on at say the default level, as to whether whatever you're running every two hours runs silently even with UAC enabled.

I'll turn it on and get back to you.

I'm sure this is the underlying explanation for why the WinXP-based Clockwise produces the UAC conflict it currently does when running on a Windows 7 system with UAC not disabled, when it goes to update both the Windows 7 "system clock" as well as the registry.

So it runs perfectly, silently, and quietly, when UAC is set off. And with "run as administrator" also runs silently once you launch it (and respond to the initial UAC message). And, if you will respond to the additional UAC message at program close or Windows shutdown, the program will close normally.

But obviously, it is in need or re-engineering to work its function differently in a Windows 7 environment. And this task scheduler technique you've devised may be the obvious solution... if it turns out to be UAC-immune.

The Windows Time Service is a network orientated service, and not needed on a stand alone systems. If you are running a major network of hundreds or thousands of systems in a client-server environment it is vastly more important that all the system's times are in sync, than if the time is actually correct.
The servers send out a regular synch pulse which is used by the windows time service on the client machines to set the clocks to match the server time. This assists in backup and other system tasks.

of course it is also normal procedure to keep the servers synced to the atomic clocks via the internet

The Windows 7 time synchronisation with the internet is, as stated above, controlled from the Task Scheduler, and may be adjusted by editing the Task.

The option of running a task with the "Highest Possible privileges" prevents any UAC issues, and may also be used for running any 3rd party program at start-up, without UAC prompts as long as the program itself requires no interaction - there is a full tutorial in the tutorial section

Task - Create to Run a Program at Startup and Log On

Well, I set the clock to a different time, turned on UAC, and rebooted. At the scheduled interval that Time Synchronization was to occur, Task Scheduler > Time Synchronization ran likes it's supposed to and reset the clock to the correct time.

UAC did not interfer with my schedule in Time Synchronization. There is no conflict.