Cellular Time (autotimesvc) Service Defaults in Windows 11

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

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 11 it starts only if the user, an application or another service starts it. When the Cellular Time service is started, it logs on as NT AUTHORITY\LocalService and running in its own process of svchost.exe. If Cellular Time fails to start, the failure details will be recorded into Event Log. Then Windows 11 should boot up and notify the user about the autotimesvc service startup failure.

Dependencies

Cellular Time cannot be started, if the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) service won't start.

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 11 installation media.