PowerShell Script to Change Time Zone to Auto

Question

I have seen PowerShell scripts on Google that will set the time zone manually and will set the time zone based on IP address; but I have yet to see where there is a PowerShell script to set the time zone to "AUTO" where the user can set the time zone themselves. (I have also seen the registry setting where the time zone should be set to "AUTO", but that is not working for us)

Is there a PowerShell script that will set the time zone on Windows 10 computers to "AUTO", and will allow the end user to change it?

Answer 1

Hi，

You cannot set time zone to Auto because it's not a valid option. Standard users have permission to change the time zone by default. Run secpol.msc as administrator, navigate to Local Policies > User Rights Assignment > Change the time zone and make sure the Users group is in the policy setting.

Best Regards,

Ian Xue

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Answer 2

Using group policy would probably be the preferred way to handle this. But it you're set on using PowerShell to do it, start with this:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-client/shell-experience/cannot-set-timezone-automatically

The PowerShell code to manage the change would handle this by changing two registry settings:

Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\tzautoupdate" -Name "Start" -Value 3
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\CapabilityAccessManager\ConsentStore\location" -Name "Value" -Value "Allow"

Answer 3

Hi Ian,

Everyone is in the group to allow time zone changes, but the option is still grayed out. See image below: