Cellular Time (autotimesvc) Service Defaults in Windows 10

This service sets time based on NITZ messages from a Mobile Network.

The Cellular Time service exists only in:

Default Settings

Startup type: Manual
Display name:Cellular Time
Service name:autotimesvc
Service type:own
Error control:normal
Object:NT AUTHORITY\LocalService
Path:%SystemRoot%\system32\svchost.exe -k autoTimeSvc
File:%SystemRoot%\System32\autotimesvc.dll
Registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\autotimesvc
Privileges:
  • SeChangeNotifyPrivilege
  • SeCreateGlobalPrivilege
  • SeSystemTimePrivilege

Default Behavior

Cellular Time is a Win32 service. In Windows 10 it is starting only if the user, an application or another service starts it. When the Cellular Time service is started, it is running as NT AUTHORITY\LocalService in its own process of svchost.exe. If Cellular Time fails to start, the failure details are being recorded into Event Log. Then Windows 10 will start up and notify the user that the autotimesvc service has failed to start due to the error.

Dependencies

Cellular Time cannot be started under any conditions, if the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) service is disabled.

Restore Default Startup Configuration of Cellular Time

Before you begin doing this, make sure that all the services on which Cellular Time depends are configured by default and function properly. See the list of dependencies above.

1. Run the Command Prompt as an administrator.

2. Copy the command below, paste it into the command window and press ENTER:

sc config autotimesvc start= demand

3. Close the command window and restart the computer.

The autotimesvc service is using the autotimesvc.dll file that is located in the C:\Windows\System32 directory. If the file is removed or corrupted, read this article to restore its original version from Windows 10 installation media.