By default, Windows 11 ensures your system clock is accurate by periodically reaching out to Microsoft’s time servers (time.windows.com) over the internet. It synchronizes your PC’s internal clock with the global standard, ensuring your timestamps and security certificates remain valid.
However, there are specific scenarios where you might want to stop this automatic synchronization. If you are testing time-sensitive software, attempting to play a game that relies on specific real-world dates, or operating an offline PC where continuous failed sync attempts clutter your event logs, you need absolute manual control over the system time. To achieve this, you must disable the internet time synchronization service.
How to Turn Off Internet Time Synchronization in Windows 11
You must access the legacy Control Panel to decouple your clock from the internet servers.
- Click the Start button, type Control Panel, and press Enter to open the classic control panel.
- Click on Clock and Region, and then click on Date and Time.
- In the small window that appears, click the Internet Time tab at the very top.
- Click the Change settings… button. (Click “Yes” if prompted by User Account Control).
- A new “Internet Time Settings” box will appear. You will see a checkbox labelled Synchronize with an Internet time server.
- Uncheck the box.
- Click OK on the first box, then click OK on the second box.
Windows 11 will permanently sever its connection to the Microsoft time servers. Your system clock will now only advance based on your motherboard’s internal battery. You can now manually change the date and time to whatever you wish, and Windows will never attempt to correct it.