Windows 8.1 won't update

OK, we'll try something else.

1. Hit Windows key + R to launch the Run command, type: services.msc and click OK.
2. In the Services console which opens, scroll down to Windows Time and double click it.
3. Then change Startup type to Automatic.
4. Click Apply/OK and then close the menus.
5. Then repeat the steps to see if the error occurs again when you try to synchronize.

There are two options in the Startup type called Automatic and Automatic (delayed start), but you only want the first one.

Hi

I selected a different time server, updated, then changed it back to time.windows.com and updated and there was still an error, so I went into the BIOS.

The time and date in the BIOS were correct, I did change the hour then changed it back again, then went back to check the synchronisation and it still says there's an error with time.windows.com.

Hi

The KB3077715 was installed in September last year.

The internet time is already set to synchronise with time.windows.com, however it also says:

Next synchronisation: 07/05/2016 at 17:08

An error occurred while Windows was synchronising with time.windows.com

The clock was most recently synchronised on 30/04/2016 at 17:08

If you're seeing the error I've emphasized in bold type then something is amiss.

So repeat the same steps and then in step 3, select a different time server from the dropdown menu and then click Update now.

Then change it back to time.windows.com and click Update now again.

If you see the same error message appear again then it means that the time in the computer BIOS isn't synchronized with the Windows operating system and will need to be reset.

BIOS is an acronym for Basis Input Output System which is a small program that checks that the hardware is in working order before handing over control to Windows.

To access the BIOS you need to hit a particular key when the BIOS logo appears on screen before Windows loads. It will tell you in the User manual which key to press. If you can't find it yourself, post the make and model of your computer and I'll look it up for you.

You can't use a mouse in the BIOS though and have to use the arrow keys to select menu options. System time & date is usually the one on the General tab which opens first. So up arrow to that, then right arrow to highlight the first set of digits and then use the + and - (plus and minus) keys to make changes.

Likewise, you have to use the arrow keys to select Save Changes & Exit although some BIOS's allow you to perform that step by hitting F10. It should tell you which keys to press to perform functions either at the bottom of the menu or on the right hand side.

Once you've made changes there (assuming this is necessary) repeat the synchronize steps to make sure they adjust properly. If you get the same error again and time & date were set to a long time ago in the BIOS, then it means the battery is dead and will need to be replaced. That's not a job you can do yourself though unfortunately.

Hi

The KB3077715 was installed in September last year.

The internet time is already set to synchronise with time.windows.com, however it also says:

Next synchronisation: 07/05/2016 at 17:08

An error occurred while Windows was synchronising with time.windows.com

The clock was most recently synchronised on 30/04/2016 at 17:08

Can you check system time and date please as follows:

1. Click the clock on the right hand side of the Taskbar and then click the link to "Change date and time settings".
2. In the menu which appears, click the "Internet time" tab and then click the "Change settings" button.
3. In the following menu, checkmark the box, "Synchronize with an Internet time server" and then change the Server to "time.windows.com".
4. Finally, click "Update now" and then click OK.

Are you by any chance in a part of the world where daylight saving time plays a role?

Also, can you please check to see if KB3077715 is installed. This is the cumulative time zone update from August 2015. To check whether it's installed or not proceed as follows.

1. Open Windows Update and click the link in the bottom left hand corner to Installed updates.
2. Copy/paste KB3077715 into the Search field top right. If it's installed, you'll see it appear in the list.

If it's not installed download it from here:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=e5342da3-9ad1-4e40-ad58-948f67d9b675

Generally speaking, messages which state that a given update isn't applicable to your computer are caused by the incorrect time being syncronized between your machine and the Microsoft server you're trying to download from.

This can also apply where daylight saving time is in effect and the client computer is one hour behind that of the download server. See this support article for details: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/914387