Time sync using w32tm on Windows clients

As we know, in a domain environment, domain controllers sync with the PDCEmluator and then workstations and member servers choose one available DC in the domain for the time sync.

If something does not work and you have errors in the event viewer about time sync, make sure that port 123 udp is openend on firewalls, then if the domain machine time is still out of sync, run the below command:

w32tm /config /syncfromflags:domhier /update

This does two things.  First, it sets the HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\W32Time\Parameters Type value to “NT5DS.”  Second, it notifies the w32time service that settings have changed.

In the majority of cases, you will see the clock adjust immediately. If not, restart the service using:

net stop w32time
net start w32time

This will resync and fix your incorrect time in the majority of cases.

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