Automatically synchronize Windows clock with atomic clock

Windows automatically syncs the system time with a time server of its choice. The clock can also be compared with the atomic clock to get an exact time. Read here how you can determine any time service.

Change the adjustment time for the Windows clock

The time comparison is usually carried out once a week. Windows synchronizes itself with the Internet time server "time.Windows.Com". You can change this:

• Open "Date and Time" in the Control Panel and switch to the "Internet Time" tab.
• For example, after "Server:" type in "ptbtime1.Ptb.De", click on "Update Now" and "OK". Windows is now getting the time from the time server of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) in Braunschweig.

Windows clock interval for automatic adjustment

• However, the update interval cannot be shortened in this way. The freeware "All-time atomic time" is ideal for this.
• After installation, a first comparison with the official time server of the PTB takes place.
• For further use, create a link in the autostart. To do this, open the Start menu, look for the "Autostart" folder under "All Programs" and right-click on it. Select the context command "Open". Now start the "File | New | Shortcut" command in Windows Explorer and click on "Search" in the next dialog. Now navigate to the folder of the program, usually to "C: \ Programs \ Alltime atomic time". Mark "Atomzeit.Exe" and confirm with "OK". Click in the input field and add the desired parameters at the end of the command:

Tips and tricks for matching

1. The "/ quiet" option suppresses all dialog messages.
2. It is also useful to delay the adjustment until all programs are loaded and the internet connection is available. For example, parameter "3" delays this by three minutes.
3. Finally, you can also use a third parameter to specify a repetition interval in minutes, for example "60". The value must be at least 30. This is useful, for example, for computers that are rarely restarted or use hibernation mode.
4. The complete link is something like "C: \ Programs \ Alltime Atomzeit \ Atomzeit.Exe" / quiet 3 60
5. Click on Continue". Change the name of the shortcut, for example to "Atomic time, quiet, delayed" and then click on "Finish".

Tip: Alternatively, you can also try out the free "Atomic Clock Sync" software for your Windows computer.