Reference number: CH000554

How to set a computer's date and time.

Question:

How to set a computer's date and time.

Reasoning:

Having the improper date may cause issues with software programs that rely on what year the computer is reporting.

Answer:

Below is a listing of different methods you can check and/or change the computer's date and time in each of the major operating systems as well as through the BIOS / CMOS setup.

Note: If the computer is prompting you for a new time and date each time the computer boots up and/or the date and time is being changed each time your computer is turned off and then on, please see document CH000015.

Setting the date / time through the BIOS / CMOS setup

1. Enter the CMOS setup. Additional information on how to do this can be found on document CH000192.
2. In the main or system setup screen you should be able to see the date and time. Using your arrow keys, navigate to the date and change the date. Once highlighted on the month, day, or year, press your arrow keys or your page up / page down keys to change the date.
   
   These steps may vary for your BIOS; additional help, information, and simulations can be found on our BIOS help page. You can also change the date and time by following the steps for your operating system below.

Setting the date / time through MS-DOS

Setting the date through MS-DOS can be done by using the date command. Additional information and help with this command can be found on our date command page.

To adjust the time while in MS-DOS use the time command. Additional information about this command can be found on our time command page.

Setting the date / time through Microsoft Windows 95, 98, ME, NT 4.0, 2000, and XP

1. right-click on the time in your systray. This is commonly in the bottom right hand of your screen.
2. Click the Adjust Date/Time menu item.
3. This will open the Date/Time Properties window. In this window you can adjust the time, date, and time zone. If you wish to change how the computer handles daylight savings, click the Time Zone tab and check or uncheck the 'Automatically adjust clock for daylight saving changes' option.
4. Once the proper date and/or time has been set, click Apply and then Ok.

Tip: You may also double-click the time to open the Date/Time Properties window.

Additional information about how to view the date once it has been set can be found on document CH000555.

Setting the date through Linux / Unix

Use the date command to set the date and/or time. See our date command page for additional information and examples of how to do this.

Setting the date through Apple operating system

1. Open the Apple Menu
2. Open the Control Panels
3. Open Date & Time
4. Within the Date & Time window you will be able to set the date, time, time zone, and change the network time server.

Additional information:

• Additional information about viewing the calendar in Windows can be found on document CH000672.