How to Change the Date and Time on Windows and Mac Computers with Accuracy, Speed, and Simplicity

When your computer's clock is inaccurate, correcting the time on your computer is more important than ever because it will help you be proactive with your time, work, and avoid unnecessary delays or rushes. However, the method to adjust the time on Windows and macOS computers varies.

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Have you noticed that your computer’s clock is no longer displaying the correct time due to a sudden timezone change or after an operating system update? In this article, FPT Shop will guide you through the simple steps to adjust the date and time on your computer. Whether you are a Windows, macOS, or Linux user, the instructions in this article will help you solve this issue quickly.

Why is it necessary to adjust the date and time on a computer?

Before we delve into how to adjust the date and time on your computer, it’s essential to understand why it’s necessary to do so. Typically, the operating system automatically updates the date and time from the internet. However, there are instances when the computer cannot connect to the internet or for some other reasons, the date and time on the computer may not be accurate.

This inaccuracy can cause inconvenience when using the computer, especially when it’s important to know the correct date and time for appointments or deadlines.

A comprehensive guide to adjusting the date and time on your computer with ease

How to adjust the date and time on a Windows computer

To perform the date and time adjustment on Windows 11 or to adjust the time on Windows 10 and earlier Windows versions, follow these steps:

Using Control Panel

Step 1: On the main screen of your Windows computer, find and open the Control Panel application by pressing the Windows key on your keyboard and typing Control Panel.

Step 2: In the Control Panel window, select Clock and Region > Date and Time to open the date and time settings.

Select Clock and Region

Step 3: In the Date and Time dialog box, click Change date and time.

You can then change the date under Date and the time under Time.

Step 4: Once you have made the desired adjustments to the date and time, click OK to save the changes.

Using Settings

Step 1: Open the Settings app on Windows by pressing Windows key + I. Alternatively, you can click on the Windows icon in the bottom left corner of the screen and select the Settings icon on the left.

Step 2: In the main Settings interface, select Time & Language.

Step 3: Select the Date & Time tab > uncheck the Set time automatically option.

Step 4: Click Change under Set the date and time manually to manually adjust the date and time on your Windows computer.

After adjusting the date and time on your computer, click Change

How to adjust the date and time on a Mac computer

Step 1: Click on the Apple menu (the Apple icon) > select System Settings.

Step 2: Click on the General icon in the sidebar > Click on Date & Time in the right-hand pane after scrolling down.

Step 3: In the Date & Time page, uncheck Set date and time automatically > enter your password to confirm.

Click on Set date and time automatically

Step 4: Click Set and enter the desired date and time.

 Then click Set to finalize.

Automatically update the system date and time on your computer

To ensure that the date and time on your computer are always accurate, you can set it to automatically update from the internet. This will allow the computer to automatically adjust the date and time when there is a timezone change.

On a Windows computer

To set up automatic date and time updates on a Windows computer, follow these steps:

Using Control Panel

Step 1: Open Control Panel and follow the steps under adjusting the date and time above to access the Date and Time dialog box.

Step 2: Select the Internet Time tab and click the Change settings button.

Step 3: Check the Synchronize with an Internet time server checkbox and select the desired server from the list > Click Update now to synchronize the date and time with the internet.

Step 4: Click OK to save the changes.

Using Settings

Step 1: Open the Date and Time Settings by right-clicking on the date and time icon in the bottom right corner of the screen and selecting Adjust date/time.

Frequently asked questions

There are several reasons why your computer’s clock might display the wrong time and date. One common reason is a sudden time zone change, which can occur when you travel with your device or when the operating system updates and adjusts for daylight savings time. Another reason could be an issue with your internet connection, preventing your computer from automatically updating the time and date from online servers. Computer viruses or malware could also interfere with your system clock.

To adjust the time and date on a Windows computer, you can use either the Control Panel or the Settings app. Using the Control Panel: Press the Windows key, type “Control Panel,” and open the application. Select “Clock and Region,” then “Date and Time.” Click on “Change date and time” and make your desired adjustments. Click “OK” to save. Using Settings: Press Windows key + I to open Settings. Alternatively, click the Windows icon in the bottom left corner and select Settings. Choose “Time & Language,” then go to the “Date & Time” tab. Uncheck “Set time automatically,” then click “Change” under “Set the date and time manually.”

To adjust the time and date on a Mac, click on the Apple menu and select “System Settings.” Click on the “General” icon in the sidebar and then scroll down and click on “Date & Time” in the right-hand pane. Uncheck “Set date and time automatically,” enter your password to confirm, and then click “Set.” Finally, enter your desired date and time and click “Set” again.

Yes, you can set your computer to automatically update the date and time from the internet. This will ensure that your device always has the correct time, even when time zones change. On a Windows computer, you can enable this feature through the Control Panel or the Settings app. Using Control Panel: Follow the steps above to access the “Date and Time” dialog box. Select the “Internet Time” tab and click “Change settings.” Check the box for “Synchronize with an Internet time server” and choose your preferred server from the list. Click “Update now” and then “OK.” Using Settings: Right-click on the date and time icon in the bottom right corner of your screen and select “Adjust date/time.”

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