> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.freakhosting.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Change the Time Zone and Language on Windows Server

> Change the time zone on Windows Server with Set-TimeZone, tzutil or Server Manager, and set the region format, system locale and display language with PowerShell.

To change the time zone on Windows Server, open PowerShell as administrator, find the Id with `Get-TimeZone -ListAvailable`, then run `Set-TimeZone -Id "GMT Standard Time"` (UK) or `Set-TimeZone -Id "UTC"`. The change applies at once, without a restart. You can also use **Server Manager > Local Server > Time zone**, `tzutil /s` or **SConfig** option **9**. Date formats use `Set-Culture`, and the display language uses `Install-Language`.

| Difficulty | Time | Works on | Needs |
| - | - | - | - |
| Beginner | 2 minutes (time zone), 15+ minutes (display language) | Windows Server 2019 / 2022 / 2025 | Administrator account |

## Before you start

* Sign in as an administrator with [Remote Desktop](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-connect-to-windows-server-with-remote-desktop.md).
* Open PowerShell as administrator: select **Start**, type `PowerShell`, right-click **Windows PowerShell** and choose **Run as administrator**.
* Decide which zone you want. Many admins keep servers on `UTC` so logs from different servers line up; others use the zone their players or customers are in.

## How to change the time zone with PowerShell

**1. See the current time zone**

```powershell theme={null}
Get-TimeZone
```

**2. Find the Id you need**

```powershell theme={null}
Get-TimeZone -ListAvailable | Where-Object Id -like "*Europe*"
Get-TimeZone -ListAvailable | Where-Object DisplayName -like "*London*"
```

Copy the value in the **Id** column. Ids are Windows names, not city names: London is `GMT Standard Time`, Berlin and Amsterdam are `W. Europe Standard Time`, New York is `Eastern Standard Time`.

**3. Set it**

```powershell theme={null}
Set-TimeZone -Id "GMT Standard Time"
```

Use `Set-TimeZone -Id "UTC"` for Coordinated Universal Time ([Set-TimeZone on Microsoft Learn](https://learn.microsoft.com/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.management/set-timezone)).

**4. Check**

```powershell theme={null}
Get-TimeZone
Get-Date
```

`Id` shows the new zone and `Get-Date` the new local time.

## Other ways to change the time zone

> [tab] Server Manager
>
> Open **Server Manager > Local Server** and click the value next to **Time zone**. In the **Date and Time** dialog, select **Change time zone**, pick the zone and select **OK** ([Microsoft Learn](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/server-manager/manage-the-local-server-and-the-server-manager-console)).

> [tab] SConfig (Server Core)
>
> Run `SConfig` and choose **9** (**Date and time**). It opens the same **Date and Time** dialog, also on Server Core ([Microsoft Learn](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/server-core/server-core-sconfig)).

> [tab] tzutil (Command Prompt)
>
> ```bat theme={null}
> tzutil /l
> tzutil /s "GMT Standard Time"
> tzutil /g
> ```
>
> `/l` lists all zones, `/s` sets one and `/g` shows the current one ([tzutil on Microsoft Learn](https://learn.microsoft.com/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/tzutil)).

> [!NOTE]
>
> The time zone only changes how the time is shown, not the clock itself. If the clock is wrong by minutes rather than whole hours, that's a time synchronisation problem, not a time zone problem.

## Which language setting do I need?

Windows has several separate language settings. Change only the one you need:

| Setting | What it changes | Cmdlet |
| - | - | - |
| Region format (culture) | Date, time, number and currency format for your user | `Set-Culture` |
| Home location | Country or region apps see for your user | `Set-WinHomeLocation` |
| System locale | Code page for older non-Unicode programs; needs a restart | `Set-WinSystemLocale` |
| Display language | Language of menus and Windows dialogs | `Install-Language`, `Set-SystemPreferredUILanguage` |
| Keyboard / input | Keyboard layouts for your user | `Set-WinUserLanguageList` |

## How to change the date and number format

```powershell theme={null}
Set-Culture -CultureInfo en-GB
```

This sets UK formats (day/month/year, 24-hour clock) for the current user. Sign out and back in for every app to pick it up. Use `de-DE`, `fr-FR`, `nl-NL` and so on for other regions ([Set-Culture](https://learn.microsoft.com/powershell/module/international/set-culture)).

## How to change the system locale for older programs

Some older programs and game servers show garbled text unless the system locale matches their language:

```powershell theme={null}
Set-WinSystemLocale -SystemLocale en-GB
Restart-Computer
```

The change takes effect after a restart ([Set-WinSystemLocale](https://learn.microsoft.com/powershell/module/international/set-winsystemlocale)).

## How to change the display language

**1. Install the language**

```powershell theme={null}
Install-Language en-GB
```

This downloads and installs the language components. It can take several minutes ([Install-Language](https://learn.microsoft.com/powershell/module/languagepackmanagement/install-language)).

**2. Make it the system language**

```powershell theme={null}
Set-SystemPreferredUILanguage en-GB
```

**3. Restart**

Restart the server or sign out and in again. New accounts created afterwards also use the new language.

If PowerShell doesn't recognise `Install-Language` on your server, change the display language in the **Settings** app instead.

## How to apply your settings to the sign-in screen and new users

After setting the region and language for your account, copy them to the system:

```powershell theme={null}
Copy-UserInternationalSettingsToSystem -WelcomeScreen $True -NewUser $True
```

This copies the display language, input language, format and location to the Welcome screen, system accounts and new user accounts ([Copy-UserInternationalSettingsToSystem](https://learn.microsoft.com/powershell/module/international/copy-userinternationalsettingstosystem)). It's available on Windows Server 2022 and later.

## Frequently asked questions

### Do I need to restart after changing the time zone?

No. `Set-TimeZone` applies straight away. To be safe, restart long-running programs such as a game server afterwards so their logs use the new time.

### What is the Windows time zone Id for the UK?

`GMT Standard Time`. It switches between GMT and BST automatically for daylight saving time.

### How do I turn off daylight saving time adjustments?

With `tzutil`, add `_dstoff` to the Id: `tzutil /s "GMT Standard Time_dstoff"`. Or use a zone without daylight saving, such as `UTC`.

### Will changing the language break my software?

Changing the display language or format doesn't change your data. Programs that parse dates or numbers as text can behave differently with a new format, so test after changing `Set-Culture` on a production server.

## Related guides

> [card] [VPS and dedicated server guides](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/vps-and-dedicated-server-guides.md)
>
> Every guide in this section.

> [card] [First steps on a new Windows server](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/first-steps-on-a-new-windows-server-vps.md)
>
> Time zone and more after setup.

> [card] [Rename a Windows server](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-rename-a-windows-server.md)
>
> Set a clear computer name.

> [card] [PowerShell on Windows Server](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-use-powershell-on-windows-server.md)
>
> The commands used here.

***

> [!NOTE]
>
> **Checked against Microsoft Learn: [Set-TimeZone](https://learn.microsoft.com/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.management/set-timezone), [tzutil](https://learn.microsoft.com/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/tzutil), the [International](https://learn.microsoft.com/powershell/module/international/) and [LanguagePackManagement](https://learn.microsoft.com/powershell/module/languagepackmanagement/) modules and [SConfig](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/server-core/server-core-sconfig)** on 4 November 2026. Not tested on a live Windows server for this page.

> [!NOTE]
>
> ### Need Extra Help?
>
> If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist:
>
> * **Live Chat:** Quick assistance via our website.
> * **Support Ticket:** [Open a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
> * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
> * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)

> [!TIP]
>
> ### Save on Your Hosting
>
> Ready to upgrade your hosting? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first order!

***

**Last Updated:** November 2026


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