Atomic Clock Sync

CNET Editors' review

Atomic Clock Sync is a free program that does exactly what its name suggests and ensures that your PC's clock information is up-to-date and accurate. We liked its ability to help repair any installation issues with Windows Time Service.

The program interface is about as straightforward as it gets. Tabs organize the small window into four function categories: Current Settings, Synchronization Interval, Repair Service, and About. The Current Settings tab displayed our clocks current Windows settings, including the local time, current UTC, as well as standard and daylight time zone information. Using the synchronization feature, we were able to override the default Windows Time Service synchronization and manually input time intervals in seconds, minutes, hours, or days. We entered our sync information, clicked the Sync button and the program immediately sent our resync command to the local computer. The one standout feature with the program is its step-by-step buttons for repairing Windows Time Service issues. As you click each button, the program does the work for you and goes through the steps of stopping the service, unregistering, reregistering, starting the service again, and finally, synchronizing the time. We were able to see the program's progress as we clicked each step.

Other than a link to the publisher's Web site, the program doesn't offer any kind of Help feature. But users of skill levels will find it easy to use without any assistance. For that reason, we highly recommend Atomic Clock Sync for any user looking to keep their clock current.

Publisher's Description

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All User Reviews
  • All versions:

    3.1 stars

    out of 75 votes

    • 5 star: 18
    • 4 star: 20
    • 3 star: 11
    • 2 star: 5
    • 1 star: 21
  • Current version:

    3.1 stars

    out of 74 votes

    • 5 star: 17
    • 4 star: 20
    • 3 star: 11
    • 2 star: 5
    • 1 star: 21
  • My rating:

    0 stars

    Write review

Results 1-10 of 74

  • 1.0 stars

    "Warning: Also Downloads Adware"

    December 7, 2012  |   By bernard_ric

    Version: Atomic Clock Sync 3.0

    Pros

    Could not find any as I un-installed it due to Adware and Wajam being downloaded before I got to try it.

    Cons

    I downloaded this and found that it also downloaded Claro Browser that without any action on my part set itself as the default browser. Wajam also downloaded which seems even more intrusive that Facebook itself if that is possible.

    Took and age to get rid of Claro - not sure even now it is all gone as today I got a MacAfee site advisor warning me about going to Claro.

    Summary

    Avoid if you value your PC's health. Now off to run a few programs to clear out the last vestiges of Claro.

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  • 1.0 stars

    "It works great manually"

    May 8, 2012  |   By mark_raven

    Version: Atomic Clock Sync 3.0

    Pros

    Easy to set up and use for a manual sync.

    Cons

    Does not appear to do anything beyond the initial sync at least on Win98.

    Summary

    I could do the same thing basically throught windows.

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  • 5.0 stars

    "Simple, straight forward, does its job well"

    February 5, 2012  |   By DSHornet

    Version: Atomic Clock Sync 3.0

    Pros

    Just as the title says: It doesn't try to do many things, only one thing, and it does the job right. Tiny footprint in memory means it uses practically no resources.

    Cons

    Can't think of any.

    Summary

    I downloaded this little clock synchronizer to replace a similar one that I had since Win98 but that had mysteriously quit working recently even though I've been running it in WinXP Pro for nine years. It turned out to be an updated version of the old program. I'm definitely satisfied.

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  • 4.0 stars

    "Simple, invisible, yet it works"

    November 14, 2011  |   By sbje2006

    Version: Atomic Clock Sync 3.0

    Pros

    Simply download it and you're ready to go

    Cons

    So simple you may not think it's working

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  • 2.0 stars

    "Hangs often and doesn't retry"

    October 19, 2011  |   By mglowinski

    Version: Atomic Clock Sync 3.0

    Pros

    It does synchronize my system clock with the Time Server and it runs in the system tray.

    Cons

    Regularly hangs and needs to be reloaded or times out on the connection and does not retry. This requires a manual sync, the exact thing I am trying to avoid.

    Summary

    If you rarely need to synchronize this is a decent program. However if you are looking for something that is regular and unattended, keep looking.

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  • 1.0 stars

    "I am disappointed with this new version"

    August 30, 2011  |   By mascott3

    Version: Atomic Clock Sync 3.0

    Pros

    None that I am impressed with

    Cons

    This new version acts merely as a shortcut to the registry in order to change the time between syncs. The old version appeared to be an independent program that contacted the world clock directly and updated my PC clock.

    Summary

    If this is going to simply act as a shortcut to my registry, I'll skip it.

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  • 1.0 stars

    "Broke the built-in windows time sync"

    July 8, 2011  |   By LarsFitzgerald

    Version: Atomic Clock Sync 3.0

    Pros

    Exposes a lot of hidden windows time settings that you would otherwise have to dig through the registry to find.

    Cons

    Breaks windows time sync.

    Summary

    After going through the repair service steps of stopping, removing, adding, and starting the service, I now get an error any time I try to sync the time: "The following error occurred: The interface is unknown (0x80076B5)." Additionally, the built in windows time sync now also gives this error! At least it worked intermittently before.

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  • 5.0 stars

    "The one that works!"

    June 11, 2011  |   By mwuagi

    Version: Atomic Clock Sync 3.0

    Pros

    Fast, simple, IT WORKS

    Cons

    none at all

    Summary

    After years (literally years) of searching for how to get my Windows 7 laptop to synch with an Internet time server (trying everything I could find on Google), this program is the only one that finally worked!
    I was desperate, and I didn't expect it to work, but it did! I was shocked, yet happy... Buy it now!

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  • 3.0 stars

    "Worked good for a while"

    June 4, 2011  |   By Crowebait

    Version: Atomic Clock Sync 3.0

    Pros

    Easy to use and accurate.

    Cons

    Started freezing. I removed it from my computer and then tried to download it again. It won't load to my computer now.

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  • 5.0 stars

    "The best, most accurate tool out there"

    May 14, 2011  |   By jjsvt

    Version: Atomic Clock Sync 3.0

    Pros

    Simple to use, extremely accurate.

    Cons

    None - perfect program

    Summary

    You need this little program.

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Results 1-10 of 74

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Atomic Clock Sync