Key Points
How to Change the Time Zone in CMD Windows 10 and Windows 11
- Why time zone management matters: Accurate time zone settings are crucial for log integrity, scheduled tasks, and policy enforcement in both local and enterprise environments.
- Command-line for granular control and flexibility: Utility tools such as tzutil (CMD) and Set-TimeZone (PowerShell) are ideal for RDP deployment and task automation.
- Observe permissions and active policies: Check existing GPO configurations to avoid activation conflicts. Managed environments may also lock user-initiated changes.
Command-line time zone adjustment is useful for remote administration and setting the time zone via scripts. If you’re looking to accomplish this in a controlled environment, this guide offers step-by-step instructions on how to change the time zone in CMD in Windows 10 and Windows 11.
💡 Tip: Watch the “How to Change the Time Zone in CMD Windows 10 and 11” video for a visual demonstration of these methods.
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Methods for manually changing the time zone
Use the table to quickly select the method that best suits your environment or role.
📌 Prerequisites
- Most command-line methods may require administrator privileges.
- Ensure the time zone identifier is spelled exactly as Windows recognizes it.
Click to Choose a Method | 💻 Best for Individual Users | 💻💻💻 Best for Enterprises |
| Method 1: CMD (tzutil) | ✓ | |
| Method 2: PowerShell | ✓ | |
| Method 3: Settings UI | ✓ |
💡 Tip: Check out the Things to look out for section to optimize your action plan and manage risks.
Method 1: Changing time zone via Command Prompt
The tzutil.exe utility allows you to change, list, and verify time zones from the command line.
📌 Use cases: Local configuration, automation
- Use Search 🔎 to open Terminal → Command Prompt → Run as administrator.
- [Optional] Run the tzutil /g command to view the current time zone.
- To switch into a new time zone, run the tzutil /s “Pacific Standard Time” command.
👉 Note: To edit the time zone, you’ll need to know the exact name of the time zone you intend to switch into, as seen in the example “Pacific Standard Time” above. If unsure, you can use the tzutil /l command to view the list of available time zones.
Method 2: Changing time zone via PowerShell
The Get-TimeZone and Set-TimeZone cmdlets can be used in PowerShell to view, list, and change time zones on Windows.
📌 Use cases: Automation, system-wide deployments
- Use Search 🔎 to open Terminal → PowerShell → Run as administrator.
- Run the Get-TimeZone script to view the current time zone or Get-TimeZone -ListAvailable to view the list of supported time zones.
- Then, run Set-TimeZone -Name “Hawaiian Standard Time” to switch to your preferred time zone.
💡 Note: This script may run or fail without displaying any confirmation or prompt. To confirm if changes have been applied successfully, check the corresponding Registry keys or system settings.
Method 3: Changing time zone via Settings
For a singular deployment or a simpler approach, you can change the time zone through Windows Settings.
📌 Use cases: General configuration, RDP
- Open Settings from Search 🔎 or press Win + I.
- Navigate to Time and Language → Date and time.
- Toggle Set time zone automatically off to change the time zone manually from the dropdown selector.
Alternatively, you can toggle Set time zone automatically on to let the system use location services to determine the correct time zone based on your region.
You can automate time zone adjustments by adding the commands above to batch and PowerShell scripts. For example, add shortcuts to your desktop to change time zones if you frequently travel between two locations.
⚠️ Things to look out for when changing time zones
Missing something? Consider these scenarios and tips for handling errors, preventing system issues, and reinforcing policies.
Risks | Potential Consequences | Reversals |
| Time zone is still set to automatic | Manual configurations are overridden by local settings | Disable via Settings → Time and Language → Date and time and toggle Set time zone automatically off. |
| Group Policy overwrites local settings | GPO activations may override manual changes on reboot or sync | Consult with admins if group policy settings can be updated to new preferences |
| Incorrect time zone set during deployment | Scheduled tasks may run at the wrong timings, and system logs may reflect inaccurate timestamps | Re-run the time zone command with the correct identifier |
In addition, secure connections by using SSL, including those websites running with HTTPS, might encounter an error if the time is not set correctly for the selected time zone.
Managing the time zone configuration for multiple devices
Managing the time zone for multiple Windows 10 or Windows 11 devices across regional offices is most efficient when automation is part of the cycle. To free up IT from repetitive tasks, policies can be set in Active Directory to let users manage their own time zones and troubleshoot basic associated issues with this native setting.
In Windows environments that don’t use a Domain, you can also use remote monitoring and management (RMM) to configure and enforce time zone policies for devices.
