Error when trying to change the time zone in Windows: "Unable to continue. You do not have permission to perform this task."

Question

It appears that installing Windows 8 on top of XP doesn't give you the option to choose the locale and other settings -- I've got the right keyboard layout restored, and can change the system locale to be for the UK, but the system doesn't let me now change the time zone -- choosing the option to try to do it in the control panel, gives me the following error:

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Date and Time

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Unable to continue

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You do not have permission to perform this task. Please contact your computer administrator for help.

[OK]

Answer 1

The following did not work for me: * Add Users group to Administrative Tools > Local Security Policy > Security Settings > Local Policies > User Rights Assignment > Change the time zone.

After the reboot, i still could not change the timezone. I solved it by using Powershell instead. This is how i solved it on a Windows 2012 R2 server:

1. Downloaded Powershell version 5.1 and installed it on the server.
2. Rebooted server.
3. Open Powershell with "Run as an administrator"
4. Run command:

Set-TimeZone "W. Europe Standard Time"

Answer 2

Looks like for whatever reason my installation didn't grant anyone, nor any group the privilege to change the time zone. I had to:

1. Go to the desktop
2. Open the charms bar (Win+c, float mouse to bottom right or swipe from the right)
3. Choose Control Panel
4. Switch to icon view
5. Go to Administrative Tools folder
6. Run Local Security Policy
7. Expand the Local Policies section and click on User Rights Assignment
8. Double click on Change the time zone permission
9. Add local Administrators group.
10. Reboot
11. Change timezone in the normal fashion

(In later versions of Windows, you can simply open the Start menu and type Local Security Policy to skip to Step 6.)

Answer 3

It makes no sense to me but the following config fixed the problem on my Win10 laptop which was upgraded from Win7 or Win8 (forget which). My login account was already in local Administrators group which was already granted the same config:

• Add Users group to Administrative Tools > Local Security Policy > Security Settings > Local Policies > User Rights Assignment > Change the time zone.

Refer to Date and Time – Unable to Continue on Problem Solved answer site for detailed step by step instructions.

Answer 4

Just run command prompt with admin credentials and run this:

C:\Windows\System32>timedate.cpl

Set time as you wish.

Use the windows search to look for "timedate.cpl". next, right-click it and select "create shortcut". you will get a message about how windows can't create a shortcut there. It will ask you if you want to create a desktop shortcut instead. click yes (or accept or whatever). Right-click the desktop shortcut. Select 'Run as administrator (or whatever the exact option is. it's got the shield thing on it. just click that). Then you can change your time and date as you wish.

Answer 5

To change the time zone currently being used please follow these steps:

1.From the Start page click on “Settings” and then click on “More PC Settings”:

2.Next go to “General” and select the new time zone from the drop-down list.

Answer 6

1. Create new Account and set it to Administrator 2.Goto control panel > administrative tools > Local security policy > local policies > User rights assignment > Change time zone

Then click add users or group, click advance find now and look for the account you created. after that login your created account/ user then change timezone. the go back to your current user.

Answer 7

Several people seem to have a problem with Windows 8 Consumer Preview and the time settings - including me. (It helps to know you are not alone!)

I fixed mine, but I wasn't paying full attention to the exact steps. I just remember going back to my Control Panel, Date and Time AGAIN, and the second or third time it took, set, worked, and hasn't given me anymore trouble.