TimeSync

This program retrieves the time (and date) from a NIST server, and adjusts the PC clock if necessary. Modern Windows version have this function built-in (see clock user interface), but you may want to have a small tool that can adjust the time on demand. TimeSync offers an /auto option to run without user interface at system startup.

For information on NIST Time Service see http://www.nist.gov/pml/div688/grp40/its.cfm
TimeSync applies the "Daytime Protocol" RFC-867. Accuracy is normally within a second, when the PC clock is corrected.

Program Folder

Extract the ZIP file to a folder of your choice, preferably outside Windows' "Program Files" structure.

TimeSync expects a language file (*.lng) in the "languages" subdirectory of the program folder. More on languages see below. Default language is English.

TimeSync will keep settings in an INI file in the working directory, which is the program folder by default. An other working directory can be specified in the properties of the shortcut ("Run in.."), or as command parameter. If you have installed TimeSync under "Program Files" (not recommended) Windows will redirect the INI file to a data folder in the user's AppData structure.

Run Program (window):

Note: TimeSync requires administrator authorization, and will pop up the UAC window.

Click "Get Time" button to request time information from server. Keyboard: Enter (Escape to quit). If the connection fails, select another server in the list and try again.

Note: After connection to a server the "Get Time" button is disabled for 4 seconds (unless you select an other server).

List Of Servers:

TimeSync comes with a default list of time servers. The server that successfully supplied the time information is always put on top of the list, also in /auto mode. (The order is saved in the INI file.)

If you want to add or remove time servers, open the INI file (when the program is not open), and modify the "NISTserver" item. Up to 10 servers can be specified, separated by semicolon. For available servers see: http://tf.nist.gov/tf-cgi/servers.cgi#

Settings:

Click on arrow down

Minimum clock deviation for adjustment (1..10 seconds, default: 0)

For /auto mode:

Minimum clock deviation for notification window (0..999 seconds, default: 3; 999: never notify)
Delay before checking time (0..120 seconds, default: 0)
This can be set to allow network and firewall to get ready at startup

Auto Mode

Option /auto is available for adjusting the time at startup.
With this option the window will only show, if the clock deviation exceeds a given limit (see settings), or if TimeSync cannot connect to any server in the list.

Important:
Under Windows 7++ Timesync always triggers the UAC window, which will fail without giving you a notice when run from the Startup folder. Instead, TimeSync should be run through the Windows Task Scheduler with the necessary privileges.

Language:

TimeSync supports a user interface in your language, if a file for your language is found in the "Languages" folder. If the file is not recognized by TimeSync, you can specify the language in the INI file, for example: Language=French

For more information read languages\~languages.txt

Copyright, Disclaimer:

This program is distributed as "freeware," copyright reserved by the author. There are no warranties of any kind, nor any liability by the author. Users accept full responsibility for the use they make of the software and for any damage caused thereby.

mailto:horst.schaeffer@gmail.com
http://www.horstmuc.de/win.htm

* 16 Nov 2017