How to update time on the servers and workstations and laptops on the network.

w32tm /query /source
- this command will tell you the time source for the desktop/server you run this command from

The time source should be a domain controller.  If that domain controller does not hold the PDC Emulator role, log on to it, and run the same command.  Ultimately, it should lead to the DC that holds the PDC Emulator role.

In case the command does not return a DC as time source, then run this command:
  w32tm /config /syncfromflags:DOMHIER /update
  w32tm /resync /nowait
  net stop w32time
  net start w32time
(what this does is tell the desktop/server to use AD domain for time sync

(  ****** Before you do any of that, make sure the PDC Emulator DC is set up correctly to pull time from an external time source)

On my windows 10 workstation, I ran the following command  and I got the following result.
 and ADC-00a is our primary domain controller.

Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.19043.1237]
(c) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
 
C:\windows\system32>w32tm /query /source
ADC-001.domain.local
 
C:\windows\system32>

So If I run the following commands will the time gert update on both the Primary domain controller and secondary domain controller

REM PDCe UK
w32tm /config /syncfromflags:manual "/manualpeerlist:0.uk.pool.ntp.org,0x1 1.uk.pool.ntp.org,0x1 2.uk.pool.ntp.org,0x1 3.uk.pool.ntp.org,0x1" /reliable:yes
w32tm /config /update
net stop w32time && net start w32time
w32tm /resync /force
w32tm /query /source
 
REM Secondary DCs
w32tm /config /syncfromflags:domhier /reliable:no /update
net stop w32time && net start w32time
w32tm /resync /force
w32tm /query /source

Do I need to run the command on the primary domain controller and do I need to specify the UK time while running the command?
How will the primary domain controller pick up the correct time after running the command?

Sorry Philip, I am not clear with your comment.
"make sure to disable the time sync with host feature so that the DC OS remains independent which is important."
Please can you provide steps
Thanks 


We have VMWare virtual infrastructure and both the primary domain controller and the secondary controller are virtual machines.

As shown below these settings is unchecked already on both Primary domain controller and secondary controller .

1. In the VM's configuration, go to Edit Settings > Options > VMware tools.

Good to go.

Hi Philip and  Kaffiend

Thank you so much for your help. Really appreciate your timely responses.

All worked great :)