Configure sync with time server in Windows Server

The Windows registry is like a second home to me. But one that's uncomfortable and where I don't want to be. Actually it's probably more akin to prison.

Which brings me nicely to today's lesson - making Windows Server's clock have a semblance of accuracy. All done through the registry of course! Not that I expected them to make this shit easy.

1. Make "AnnounceFlags" = "5":
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\W32Time\Config\AnnounceFlags
2. Edit the "Type" key to have the value "NTP":
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\W32Time\Parameters\Type
3. Make "NtpServer" = "time.microsoft.com,0x1" or whatever time server you want:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\W32Time\Parameters\NtpServer
   Separate multiple servers with a space e.g. "time.windows.com,0x1 time-a.nist.gov,0x1"
4. Make "Enabled" = "1":
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\W32Time\TimeProviders\NtpServer
5. Make "SpecialPollInterval" = "900" decimal. Yes, the special poll interval.
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\W32Time\TimeProviders\NtpClient\SpecialPollInterval
6. Restart the time service from the command prompt:
   net stop w32time && net start w32time

Boo to Microsoft. The bad kind of boo, too.