Common syntax

w32tm /query /source
w32tm /query /status
w32tm /query /configuration
w32tm /query /peers

/source

w32tm /query /source

Displays the source currently selected by Windows Time Service.

Typical results include:

  • A domain controller name.
  • An external NTP hostname.
  • Local CMOS Clock.
  • Free-running System Clock.
  • VM IC Time Synchronization Provider.

This is usually the quickest way to decide whether the computer is following the intended design.

/status

w32tm /query /status

Displays the current synchronisation state. Important fields include:

  • Leap Indicator – whether the source reports a leap warning or unsynchronised state.
  • Stratum – the distance from the original reference source.
  • Last Successful Sync Time – when Windows last accepted a time sample.
  • Source – the source used for that state.
  • Poll Interval – the current polling interval.

A recent successful sync with an unexpected source is still a configuration problem. An expected source with an old sync time may be a connectivity or server-health problem.

/configuration

w32tm /query /configuration

Displays the effective Windows Time configuration, including values supplied locally and by Group Policy.

Review:

  • Type – commonly NT5DS for domain hierarchy or NTP for manual peers.
  • NtpServer – the configured manual peer list.
  • AnnounceFlags.
  • Phase-correction limits.
  • Client and server provider settings.

Where a value is supplied by policy, changing it locally may have only a temporary effect.

/peers

w32tm /query /peers

Displays the configured peers and their current state.

This command is useful on systems using manual NTP peers. It does not replace /source, because a configured peer is not necessarily the source Windows selected.

Verbose status

w32tm /query /status /verbose

Adds lower-level details useful when comparing providers and timing data. For routine troubleshooting, the normal status output is usually easier to read.

Query another computer

w32tm /query /computer:SERVER01 /source
w32tm /query /computer:SERVER01 /status
w32tm /query /computer:SERVER01 /configuration

Remote queries require suitable permissions, firewall access and Remote Registry/RPC conditions depending on the operating system and command used.

Typical verification sequence

w32tm /query /source
w32tm /query /status
w32tm /query /configuration

Record the output before applying changes. Repeat the same commands afterwards and compare the source, last successful sync and effective type.

What the command does not prove

  • /configuration does not prove a peer is reachable.
  • /peers does not prove a peer was selected.
  • /source does not by itself prove the last sync was recent.
  • /status does not prove the source is organisationally correct.

Microsoft documentation

Related information