Configuring NTP Server for Time Synchronization

This post is about how to process a Windows Server 2012 or 2016 domain controller to synchronize its time with a trusted external resource.  Having a valid and accurate time source is critical for a properly configured domain.

Use your favorite search engine to locate the trusted NTP time servers for your area.  I am located in Canada and so I will be using

0.ca.pool.ntp.org
1.ca.pool.ntp.org
2.ca.pool.ntp.org
3.ca.pool.ntp.org

Log into your domain controller with administrative credentials and launch a command prompt.

Stop the time service:

net stop w32time

Enter the following to configure your NTP time servers:

w32tm /config /syncfromflags:manual /manualpeerlist:"0.ca.pool.ntp.org, 1.ca.pool.ntp.org, 2.ca.pool.ntp.org, 3.ca.pool.ntp.org"

and then hit Enter.  Remember to use your time servers in place of *.ca.pool.ntp.org.

Let the domain controller know that these are your trusted servers:

w32tm /config /reliable:yes

Restart the Time Service:

net start w32time

Review the results:

w32tm /query /configuration

Ensure everything is proper and typed correctly and if so, close the command prompt.