Configure Windows Server to query an external NTP Server

The steps below can be used to configure a windows server or desktop computer to query an external NTP server such as pool.ntp.org.

Step 1: Info

This is generally performed on DCs in an Active Directory domain. Then all workstations use AD to get time from the DCs. This could also be used on a non-DC windows machine to be your NTP server for your network that you point to for all of your switches/routers and various other devices.

Again, it doesn’t have to be a DC, but it makes sense for it to be, as it’s not very resource intensive.

Step 2: Elevated prompt

Open the command prompt as administrator.

You could also use a PowerShell prompt instead of command prompt if you want.

Step 3: Stop the time service

net stop w32time

Step 4: Set the manual peer list external servers

w32tm /config /syncfromflags:manual /manualpeerlist:“0.be.pool.ntp.org,1.be.pool.ntp.org,2.be.pool.ntp.org,3.be.pool.ntp.org”

Step 5: Set the connection as reliable

w32tm /config /reliable:yes

Step 6: Start the time service back up

net start w32time

Step 7: Test the configururation

w32tm /query /configuration

and

w32tm /query /status