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I've noticed the time on all of our computers seems to be off by about 5 minutes. I think most computers are set up to sync time with one of our servers. after running a net time or a w32tm /query /configuration I've found which server they are looking to. I have now gone and set the time on that server to a correct time. Now I am trying to get all the domain computers to resync (something like a w32tm /resync on all computers).

Is this something I have to force? Or will each computer eventually resync by itself? If I wanted to force that, is there a way?

Thanks.

Mr. Monkey
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1 Answers1

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You should not be changing the time source individually for domain computers. By default they will sync with the Domain Controllers in the domain to ensure that Kerberos (and related services) that are time-sensitive function normally. If you want to use an external time source, you should use w32tm to make the Domain Controller holding the PDC Emulator role sync from that source.

That being said, they will sync automatically, assuming your non-domain controller time source is reliable and reachable. If you want to force it, you could always use psexec to force remote computers to run the relevant w32tm command to resync.

MDMarra
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  • Just to clarify. I have not changed the time source on any domain computers. I checked the time source on a computer then I went to the server they were syncing from and change the time (not the source) on that computer manually. Now I am trying to get the comain computers to resync with that server. – Mr. Monkey Nov 10 '11 at 17:43
  • @Mr.Monkey If that server that they are looking to for time is not a Domain Controller, then you have a larger issue. If it is, then you can either just wait for them to automatically resync, or force it via `psexec` like I suggested. – MDMarra Nov 10 '11 at 17:44
  • The server they look to is a domain controller. Thanks for the help. – Mr. Monkey Nov 10 '11 at 17:47
  • It is also important to make sure that no rogue groupy policy is forcing all the clients to point to an external time source. – Brett Larson Dec 11 '12 at 16:39