Your Windows computers showing the right time today? No, you’re suffering Microsoft’s surreal time change for BC.

Daylight Savings

The faltering former NDP provincial government decided to stop the twice annual time change. We no longer fall back and are out of sync with most Pacific states down south.

The faltering UCP provincial government decided to make the same change. Alberta is no longer in sync with their closest US neighbours but still one hour back of BC.

Computers are time sensitive

Computers are time sensitive. If your computer shows the wrong time, tokens for access to sensitive software/files can be used beyond their correct expiration time. Really simple example: you download free for 30 days software and change your computer time and date so the software remains free (please don’t do this). While that software might work beyond 30 days, you will break all your other time related security tokens.

Time Zone Changes Windows

Normally you set the time zone for your computer when you first start it. You can change this via the Gear Settings. Search for Date and the Date/Time Zone option comes up.

If you’re travelling to another time zone, this is where you change to France time for example.

Microsoft’s surreal time change for BC

Microsoft released the new time zone(s) as an optional update in the September Patch Tuesday and fully included it in the October Patch Tuesday.

However you still have to go in there and MANUALLY change the time zone. Apple just did for it you. My iPhone and Mac Mini auto corrected to the right time zone first thing this morning.

Don’t see the new time zone options?

What if you don’t see those options? I have found numerous computers that aren’t seeing those options. Main culprit: Windows updates not installed. Old version of Windows. Windows 11 version 22h2 did not get this update. Windows 10 did not get this update. More on BC Time zone change from Microsoft.

Sometimes, even though Windows update in Settings displays message you’re up to date, you’re not actually up to date. Even if you have Windows 11 26H2, you must have the October security patch installed to access those time zones. I had one computer need three reboots and multiple updates before I could change it the correct time zone.

Patch and zone change as soon as possible. Check all your calendar appointments have the correct time zone.