Change the Time Zone in Office 365: Admin Center and PowerShell (For Individual & All Users)

Since Microsoft 365 does not provide a native feature to update the time zones of every existing user’s mailbox. IT admins can change the M365 tenant time zones only via the Admin Center or PowerShell.

So, explore this step-by-step guide to change the tenant timezone M365 effortlessly. And make sure your digital workspace matches the physical reality of employees using it!

Why Should You Change M365 Tenant Time Zone Settings?

Ensuring the correct localised time zone for every user simply irons out several operational wrinkles. From communication to scheduling, correcting M365 regional settings is the key to a smooth workflow across the entire business.

But why do IT administrators need to change the M365 Tenant time zone settings in Admin Centre or using PowerShell Scripts, when every individual can configure the appropriate time zone?

Yes! Users indeed can manage their regional settings by following the given steps.

Steps to change the Microsoft 365 tenant time zone:

• Open Outlook on the Web.
• In the top right corner of the top navigation bar, select Settings (gear icon).
• Go to General (in the Settings menu) and click Language and time zone.
• Right-click the dropdown menu (under the Time zone section).
• Select the preferred local time zone and hit Save.

But when a user skips the initial setup, the freshly created accounts often default to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) (according to M365 Global timezone policy.

Therefore, to make certain that calendars are synchronised properly. And there are no missed meetings or scheduling confusions; IT leaders are mandated to manage these settings actively.

Here are some other benefits of configuring the standardised time zones for all users:

• Precise communication timestamps, such as email arrival times, Teams messaging stamps, and read receipts. Preventing the extra mental exercise to figure out the actual sent time of a specific message.
• Helps in trusted document versioning. In collaborative environments like SharePoint and OneDrive, the right time zone validates “Last Modified”. In simple words, it prevents users from overwriting the wrong version of a document due to timestamp confusion.
• Plays a key role in establishing the clear timelines of events for compliance and eDiscovery accuracy. Can prove to be a reliable asset for legal holds and compliance investigations.
• Optimise automated workflows. Several organisations take advantage of auto attendants and conditional access policies. Including setting up an out-of-office in Outlook that routes based on working hours. And since these systems are governed by the user’s set time zone. It ensures they are operating on the correct time zone.

How to Change Time Zone in Office 365 Admin Center (Individual Users)

The best method to change time zone in Office 365 Admin Center for a handful of users is using the Graphical Interface. It is considered the industry-standard method for onboarding or troubleshooting the individual users’ calendar synchronization issues.

Steps to change time zone in Office 365 Admin Center:

• Go to Microsoft 365 Admin Center (use global or user admin credentials).
• Right-click Users (in the left navigation menu) >> select Active users.
• Search for the specific user’s name >> click on it to trigger a flyout pane (on the right).
• Select the Account tab >> scroll down to the Settings or Profile Info >> click Edit language and time zone (or find language and time zone option)
• Lastly, configure the correct Time Zone (from the list) >> hit Save.

Note: The new time zone will take up to 24 hours to fully sync and reflect across all the web applications (SharePoint, OneDrive, and Teams).

Office 365 Change Time Zone for All Users (Via PowerShell)

Microsoft Office 365 Change time zone for all users can be easily done by using the PowerShell Script. It is the only effective, native administrative method to set the Office 365 tenant time zone for hundreds of users simultaneously.

This bulk administrative configuration method uses the Set-MailboxRegionalConfiguration cmdlet in the Exchange Online module. And targets the M365 regional settings directly in Exchange Online. Resulting in enforcing the time zone update across the entire directory.

So here’s the Office 365 change time zone for user PowerShell:

Step 1: Establish Connection to Exchange Online

Updating the time zone for all M365 users requires establishing a connection to Exchange Online first. The PowerShell Set-MailboxRegionalConfiguration will work only then. So, let’s see how to secure a connection to EO.

• Open PowerShell as Administrator (press Windows + X key >> Terminal (Admin).
• Copy-paste the following PowerShell script to establish a connection to Exchange Online. Replace [email protected] with your domain name.

Install-Module -Name ExchangeOnlineManagement -Force Import-Module ExchangeOnlineManagement Connect-ExchangeOnline -UserPrincipalName [email protected]

Step 2: Implement the Time Zone Policy (Single User-First)

It is highly advised to implement the new time zone policy on a single user first. Especially before running a bulk script.

• • Insert the given script into the PowerShell to test it on a single user. Replace [email protected] with your domain name

    Set-MailboxRegionalConfiguration -Identity "[email protected]" -TimeZone "Eastern Standard Time" -Language "en-US"

  • Once it’s applied correctly, run the script cited below to apply the designated time zone:

    Get-Mailbox -ResultSize Unlimited -RecipientTypeDetails UserMailbox | Set-MailboxRegionalConfiguration -TimeZone "Eastern Standard Time" -Language "en-US" -LocalizeDefaultFolderName

As per Microsoft, the –LcoalizeDefaultfolderName makes sure that the default folders (Inbox, Sent Items) match the specific language. Resulting in preventing duplicate folders in different languages.

• • Use this script to set the Office 365 tenant time zone for a specific department or city (filtered group):

    Get-User -Filter "Department -eq 'Sales'" | Set-MailboxRegionalConfiguration -TimeZone "Pacific Standard Time"

Updating the Microsoft 365 tenant time zone and using the -TimeZone Parameters requires the exact Windows time zone string. So, check out the table below highlighting the region and the PowerShell time zone string used for it.

Step 3: Validate the Changes

Verifying the changes will ensure the new time zone is correctly applied or not.
To do so, simply run the following script in PowerShell:

Get-Mailbox -ResultSize Unlimited | Get-MailboxRegionalConfiguration | Select Identity, TimeZone

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Can I Set a Default Time Zone for a New Microsoft 365 Tenant?

Absolutely Yes! You can set a default time zone for a new Microsoft 365 tenant. Since there’s no tenant-wide setting to force new users into a specific time zone automatically, IT admins are required to automate it via PowerShell scripting.

To automatically update the Exchange Online default time zone for a new M365 tenant, simply add the Set-MailboxRegionalConfiguration command to the standard New-User creation PowerShell Script.

Additionally, use Runbook for advanced identity management, like Azure AD. It will enforce the regional settings on the newly created mailbox.

How to Set Default Time Zones for SharePoint Sites? (New and Existing)

Do you know that document storage and collaboration environments (SharePoint Sites) maintain an independent regional architecture? Yes, that’s why setting the default time zones for SharePoint sites is exercised separately. Or else, your email will show one time, and the file uploaded to the team site will show another.

So, if you have observed that the document timestamps or file modification times are incorrect, here’s how you can configure it:

For New SharePoint Sites

• Go to SharePoint Admin Center.
• Select Settings and click Site Creation (in the left-hand menu).
• Scroll down to the Default time zone settings.
• Choose the specific time zone to automatically apply to the new site or Microsoft 365 group provisioned.

For Existing SharePoint Sites

• Go to the root URL of the target SharePoint site.
• In the top right, double-click the Gear icon (Settings) >> select Site contents.
• Click Site Settings. If not visible, select Site information >> View all site settings.
• Select Regional settings (under the Site Administration).
• Lastly, configure the Time Zone dropdown and click OK.

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Best Practices to Manage Microsoft 365 Time Zones (For IT-Admins Only)

Managing time zones in Microsoft 365 might look like a minor administrative activity. But it dictates the communication and scheduling posture of an organization. Therefore, it is required to be meticulously optimized.

So, check out the best, fruitful practices to manage the Microsoft 365 tenant time zone effectively!

#1: Avoid Forcing Time Zone Daily

Do not enforce a static time zone via daily PowerShell scripts. It can result in employees travelling frequently for business purposes. Because their physical device will be configured to the new local time. But their web apps and calendar might remain set to their home office’s time zone.

#2: Update Time Zone for SharePoint Sites Exclusively

As we mentioned above, SharePoint has a unique regional architecture. Updating the Microsoft 365 tenant time zone settings does not automatically revise the time zone of SharePoint sites. Hence, use the SharePoint Admin Center to configure a default time for SharePoint sites. It will standardize the time zone for both the mailbox and SharePoint sites. Ensuring the “Last Modified” tags are correct. And preventing users from overwriting the incorrect version of the document due to the timestamp error.

#3: Review Active Automated Workflows

Sometimes, the automated workflows (like auto attendants, out-of-office, or recurring calendar events) are left tied to the previous timezone. And if you try to modify the underlying regional settings, it can trigger these automations at the wrong time.

Therefore, IT administrators must review that the Automated workflows are configured to the appropriate time zone. So, these systems can function properly and eliminate missing meetings or scheduling confusion.

#4: Do Not Panic

Changing M365 tenant time zone settings in the Admin Center or via PowerShell takes up to 24 hours to reflect across all the connected services. So, do not panic from this temporary sync confusion. And force the steps of changing the time zone repeatedly.

Conclusion

IT administrators who are looking for “how to change Office 365 tenant time zone” can apply the easy steps outlined in this complete guide. Using these mere steps, they can effortlessly change the time zone in Office 365 Admin Center. And use PowerShell scripts to update the time zone of all Office 365 users. You can also bookmark this enterprise-grade reference for future use!

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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q.1 How to set a default time zone for a new Microsoft 365 tenant?
To set a default time zone for a new Microsoft 365 tenant, add the Set-MailboxRegionalConfiguration command to the standard New-User creation PowerShell Script.

Q.2 Why is my Microsoft 365 tenant stuck in UTC?
It happens because you skipped the initial prompt to set the time zone in Outlook on the Web or used an app first. And according to the Microsoft 365 Global timezone policy, skipping the initial regional setup prompt and using an app first, your calendar will default to UTC (Coordinated Universal Time). An admin can fix this via Admin Center or by running a PowerShell script.

Q.3 Where are the regional settings in the Microsoft 365 admin center?
Regional settings in Microsoft 365 Admin Center are located under Settings >> Org Settings >> Organization Profile >> Organization Information.

Q.4 Can users change their own time zone in Microsoft 365?
Indeed! End-users can change their own time zone in Microsoft 365. Here are the simple steps:

• Open Outlook on the Web.
• In the top right corner of the top navigation bar, select Settings (gear icon).
• Go to General (in the Settings menu) and click Language and time zone.
• Right-click the dropdown menu (under the Time zone section).
• Select the preferred local time zone and hit Save.

Q.5 Is there a difference between Windows 365 time zone and Office 365 time zone?
Yes! The Windows 65 time zone is used to configure the local clock on your computer or Cloud PC. On the other hand, Microsoft Office 365 defines the timestamps on your emails, cloud calendar, invites, and OneDrive documents. And, they should match to prevent scheduling issues.