Our Windows VPS is preconfigured with the default timezone MST (Mountain Standard Time). However, it will require you to change your VPS timezone as per your region.
In this article, we will instruct you with step-by-step information on how to change the Time Zone on your Windows VPS. By following these steps, you can ensure that your server accurately reflects the local time, allowing for seamless synchronization with your operations and applications.
Before continuing with this article, make sure you have Admin access to your VPS to change the timezone settings.
Here, we will see how to change the Time Zone in Windows Server 2016.
Step 1: Log in to your Windows VPS as an Administrator user using the RDP (Remote Desktop) connection.
Step 2: Open the Control Panel from the Start menu.
Step 3: In the Control Panel, navigate to the "Clock, Language, and Region" category.
Step 4: Find the "Date and Time" section and select the option "Set the time and date."
Step 5: The Date and Time settings window will open. Click on the "Change time zone" button.
Step 6: You'll see the different Time Zones in the Time Zone settings window. Scroll through the list, select your server's desired time zone, and Click Ok.
If your time zone observes Daylight Saving Time, please check the box to enable Automatic Clock adjustment.
Step 7: Once you select the appropriate time zone, click on "Ok" to save the changes.
After making these changes, it should reflect the new time zone you have selected. Make sure to verify the time and date settings to ensure they are accurate.
Note: Changing the time zone on a server may have implications for various applications and services that rely on accurate timekeeping. Before making any changes, we advise consulting with your system administrator or IT department for guidance.
If you want to change the Time Zone in your Windows Server 2019 operating system, you can follow the same above steps. The user interface remains consistent across both operating systems.
Changing the Time Zone Using Windows PowerShell
Step 1: Right-click the Start icon or press Win + X to open the Power User menu.
Step 2: Select "Windows Powershell (Admin)" from the list.
Step 3: Type the below-mentioned command and press Enter to view your current time zone.
tzutil /g
Step 4: Paste the below command and press Enter to view a list of available time zones.
tzutil /l
Step 5: Run the following command to change the time zone on Windows.
tzutil /s "Time Zone Name"
Replace "Time Zone Name" in the above command with the actual name of the time zone you want to use. For example, if you wanted to set your time zone to Pacific Standard Time, you'd enter this command:
tzutil /s "Pacific Standard Time"
After running the command, your time zone will be successfully updated.
Changing the Time Zone Using the Registry Editor
While the previously mentioned methods are straightforward, advanced users can modify the time zone on Windows by editing the Registry Editor.
As you may be aware, making hasty changes to registry files can lead to irreversible damage to your computer, potentially resulting in data loss.
Therefore, consider using this method only if the previously mentioned ones fail. Additionally, it's essential to back up all your registry files as a precaution. Another option is to create a system restore point before proceeding.
After taking the precautions mentioned earlier, you can proceed with the following steps to change the time zone using the Registry Editor.
Step 1: Press the Win + S keys or click on the search icon located on the taskbar to access the search menu.
Step 2: Enter "regedit" into the search box and hit "Enter." This will launch the Registry Editor.
Step 3: In the Registry Editor window, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SYSTEM > CurrentControlSet > Control > TimeZoneInformation using the left pane.
Step 4: Double-click the TimeZoneKeyName on your right.
Step 5: In the Value data field, enter the name of the time zone you want to use, then click OK.
Note: Altering the time zone on a server can affect various applications and services that depend on precise timekeeping. It is strongly recommended to consult with your system administrator or IT department for guidance before making any changes.
Conclusion
As demonstrated, several methods exist for adjusting time zone settings on Windows. You can choose any of the above methods, and you should be all set.
However, enabling Windows to detect your time zone automatically is advisable. This way, your PC will seamlessly adjust to different time zones, account for daylight saving time, and maintain the correct date and time.
