Configure Windows Server to query an external NTP Server

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.

First, open PowerShell and stop the Windows Time Service:

> net stop w32time

then set the used NTP servers using

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

(get the best servers for your region from https://www.ntppool.org)

mark the servers as reliable with

> w32tm /config /reliable:yes

and last, start the service again.

> net start w32time

You can check the configuration by using following commands:

> w32tm /query /configuration
> w32tm /query /status