- The reason:
- Solution: Set Windows to Use UTC
- Step 1: Open the Windows Registry Editor
- Step 2: Add a New Registry Entry
- Step 3: Restart
- Optional: Ready-Made .reg File
When running Windows and Linux in a dual boot setup, you’ll often encounter an issue with the system clock.
A common symptom: After switching from Linux to Windows, the clock is off by one hour or more.
The reason:
- Linux writes the hardware clock (RTC – Real Time Clock) in UTC format.
- Windows, by default, interprets the hardware clock as local time.
This difference causes time shifts every time you reboot between the two operating systems.
Fortunately, the problem can be fixed permanently with just a few simple steps.
Solution: Set Windows to Use UTC
The best approach is to configure Windows to use UTC (Coordinated Universal Time), just like Linux does.
Step 1: Open the Windows Registry Editor
- Press [Win] + [R]
- Type
regedit→ press Enter - Navigate to the following path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\TimeZoneInformationStep 2: Add a New Registry Entry
- Right-click → New > DWORD (32-bit) Value
- Name it:
RealTimeIsUniversal - Set its value to
1
🔧 After this, Windows will store and read the time in UTC format, just like Linux.
Step 3: Restart
After a reboot, both Windows and Linux should now display the same correct time.
Alternative: Use Command Prompt (CMD)
Instead of editing the registry manually, you can run a single command in the Command Prompt (as Administrator):
REG ADD HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\TimeZoneInformation /f /v RealTimeIsUniversal /t REG_DWORD /d 1Optional: Ready-Made .reg File
For convenience, you can also apply a pre-made .reg file.
Once imported, restart your PC – Windows will then use UTC automatically.
