Using NET TIME for all Workstations and Servers

 Last reviewed: April 11, 1997
Article ID: Q120944

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT operating system version 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5 and 3.51
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5 and 3.51
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows for Workgroups version 3.11
  • Microsoft Workgroup Add-On for MS-DOS version 3.11
  • Microsoft LAN Manager version 2.2
  • Microsoft Workgroup Connection version 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows 95

SUMMARY

In a network with different network client software, different workgroups, and different domains, maintaining a logon script that issues a NET TIME command can become complex. This article offers a simple solution to keep the time for all clients in the network synchronized.

MORE INFORMATION

The solution to keeping all workstations' time synchronized with a particular server can be solved by either running a logon script for each workstation or by having each workstation run a batch file on their own after logging on to the network.

For example, assume you have a server named TIMESRV that has a reliable system clock. An example batch file that would run either from the workstation, or get called from or be part of a logon script, would look like this: 

   NET TIME \\TIMESRV /SET /YES
Using just a server name instead of the /DOMAIN or /WORKGROUP parameter avoids the complexity of maintaining different logon scripts or batch files for the different types of network client software. Please keep in mind that if all of your workstations are running the same type of network client software, you may choose instead to use the /DOMAIN or /WORKGROUP parameter. But, in a network with a variety of network client software, it might be easiest to use the "\\computername" (without quotation marks) parameter.

NOTE: NET TIME is enabled by default on all Windows NT workstations and servers.

Additional query words: wfw wfwg prodnt time source
Keywords : kbnetwork ntdomain nthowto ntinterop
Version : 3.1
Platform : WinNT

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Last reviewed: April 11, 1997
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.