As its Ignite conference kicks off, Microsoft is admitting there is another known issue with Windows 11 24H2. If you try to change the time zone, you might find it a challenge.

The [1]problem lies in Microsoft's shiny new Windows Settings app. Users without administrative privileges might not be able to change the time zone, which could make life difficult for those on the move. Users that, for example, might be making the trip to Chicago to listen to Microsoft insisting that everything is wonderful and AI is just super.

There is a workaround, however: "The time zone can be changed as normal via the Date and Time section of the Windows Control Panel."

[2]

Yes, that thing that Microsoft [3]suggested in a support document was set for deprecation before hastily updating that same [4]document to merely say that Control Panel was a bit long in the tooth and was being kept on for compatibility reasons.

[5]

[6]

It also said, "Many of the settings in Control Panel are in the process of being migrated to the Settings app, which offers a more modern and streamlined experience," and that "you're encouraged to use the Settings app, whenever possible."

Unless, of course, it gets broken and the flaw is not picked up by Microsoft's legendary quality control processes.

[7]Microsoft decides it's a good time for bad UI to die

[8]The Windows Control Panel joins the ranks of the undead

[9]Linux project's first full version has all the subtlety of a Rhino in a China shop

[10]That old box of tech junk you should probably throw out saves a warehouse

Regarding the time zone issue, Microsoft said it "is actively investigating the issue and will provide a resolution in an upcoming Windows update." Since the functionality works for administrators, it sounds like a policy or security flag has been set incorrectly.

In the meantime, affected users can take advantage of the legacy code with which Windows is loaded and use the old time and date Control Panel applet to set the time zone manually if needed.

[11]

It would also be a good idea to avoid pondering why a setting that only Administrators can access in the Windows Settings app can be changed via the legacy Control Panel.

El Reg asked Microsoft for an explanation, and will update this piece should the Windows vendor respond. ®

Get our [12]Tech Resources



[1] https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/release-health/status-windows-11-24h2#1631msgdesc

[2] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/applications&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2Zz0Ynv9jyF4FcyWCI7XNfgAAAFU&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0

[3] https://www.theregister.com/2024/08/22/windows_control_panel_deprecation/

[4] https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/system-configuration-tools-in-windows-f8a49657-b038-43b8-82d3-28bea0c5666b

[5] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/applications&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44Zz0Ynv9jyF4FcyWCI7XNfgAAAFU&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0

[6] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/applications&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33Zz0Ynv9jyF4FcyWCI7XNfgAAAFU&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0

[7] https://www.theregister.com/2024/09/02/microsoft_control_panel_opinion/

[8] https://www.theregister.com/2024/08/27/the_windows_control_panel_joins/

[9] https://www.theregister.com/2023/08/11/rhino_linux_v1/

[10] https://www.theregister.com/2023/05/26/on_call/

[11] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/applications&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44Zz0Ynv9jyF4FcyWCI7XNfgAAAFU&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0

[12] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/