Have you ever experienced a time warp while dual-booting Linux alongside Windows? It’s like firing up Windows in the daytime only to find your clock insists it’s already night. This temporal confusion is a recurring annoyance for many users engaged in the delicate dance of dual-booting. In this guide, we’ll delve into the reasons behind this quirk and explore three effective methods to synchronize your system clocks seamlessly.
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What is Time Divergence
At the heart of this temporal discrepancy lies the divergent approaches of Linux and Windows to manage the hardware clock. The hardware clock, a physical component on your computer’s motherboard powered by the CMOS battery, is the keeper of time. Linux sets it to Universal Time Coordinated (UTC), while Windows assumes it’s already configured to local time based on your geographical location. This dissonance becomes evident when dual-booting, as Windows reads the hardware clock without adjusting for the timezone shift.
Method 1: Make Linux Use Local Time for the Hardware Clock
To harmonize the clocks, configuring Linux to set the hardware clock to local time is a straightforward fix.
- Launch a terminal window.
- Set the Real-Time Clock (RTC) to use local time by executing the timedatectl command with the sudo prefix:
sudo timedatectl set-local rtc 1
- Reboot your system.
This adjustment ensures Linux aligns its hardware clock with the local time, resolving the dual-boot time discrepancy.
To revert the changes, repeat the same command with “0” instead of “1.”
READ ALSO: How to Set Correct Timezone on Your PC Clock
Method 2: Configure Windows to Auto Sync Time
In this method, we leverage the automatic time synchronization feature in both operating systems.
- Right-click the taskbar’s time display.
- Select “Adjust Date and Time” or navigate to Settings > Time & Language > Date & Time.
- Correct the timezone if needed, then activate “Set time Automatically” and click “Sync Now.”
This process synchronizes the system time with an online server, fixing the Windows time display without requiring a Linux reboot.
Method 3: Make Windows Use UTC Time for the Hardware Clock
For a more intricate solution, we can force Windows to use UTC time for the hardware clock.
- Press the “Windows key + R” to open the Run utility and type “regedit,” to run Windows Registry Editor.
- Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\TimeZoneInformation.
- Right-click, choose “New,” and add a Q-WORD (64-bit) Value named “RealTimeisUniversal” (or a D-WORD for 32-bit Windows).
- Double-click the entry, set the value to 1, and reboot your system.
Windows will now convert UTC from the hardware clock to your local time, rectifying the time inconsistency.
Conclusion
Resolving the incorrect time display when dual-booting Linux and Windows is not only a technical necessity but also a sanity saver. These three methods provide a comprehensive toolkit to rectify the temporal misalignment, bringing your dual-boot setup back to a synchronized present.
While the root cause usually lies in the divergent timekeeping strategies of Linux and Windows, persistent issues may indicate hardware problems or even security threats like hidden malware. If the suggested fixes don’t resolve the problem, a deeper investigation into hardware health or potential security issues might be warranted.