2007 Daylight Saving Time Changes

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 was passed to help alleviate energy concerns across the nation.  One part of the act that will affect computers is the extension of Daylight Saving Time by four weeks.  Instead of changing to Daylight Saving Time on the first Sunday of April, it will now begin on the second Sunday of March.  Additionally, it will now end on the first Sunday of November rather than the last Sunday of October.  These time changes will still all take effect at 2 a.m. on their respective days.

Some computer operating systems and applications are already updated to reflect this change. Others may require patches to be downloaded to operate properly with the change. Below is some information to help with the impact.

Microsoft Windows Vista

Windows Vista does not require any update to be installed for the DST changes. Applications running on Windows Vista may need to be updated (e.g. Outlook, etc.).

For more information see Microsoft's web site at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/timezone/dst2007.mspx

Microsoft Windows XP (SP2) and Windows 2003 Server

Microsoft Windows XP (SP2) does require a patch in order to recognize the changes to Daylight Saving Time. Currently the patch is an "optional" download though Windows Update - Microsoft has indicated it will become a "critical" download on February 13th.

• The Windows XP update is available now at the Microsoft Download Site
• The Windows 2003 Server update is available at the Microsoft Download Site
• Additional information is available at Microsoft KB Article 928388
  

Note: Updates are not available for previous version of Windows XP, customers should update to XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) and then apply the update for DST.

Once you have applied the Windows XP (SP2) update, you should update any applications that may also be affected by the update to Daylight Saving Time. Important Note:  If you are running Outlook 2003, you must run the Outlook Time Zone Data Update tool

For more information see Microsoft's web site at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/timezone/dst2007.mspx

Mac OS 10.3.9 or later

Mac OS X Tiger update is available at http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/daylightsavingtimeupdatetiger.html

• Requires 10.4.8
• Apple released this new update that includes updated daylight saving times for more countries around the world.

Mac OS X Panther update is avaialble at http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/daylightsavingtimeupdatepanther.html

• Requires 10.3.9

Mac OS 10.3.8 or earlier

• For versions earlier than OS 10.3.9, you must manually change the time once Daylight Saving Time goes into effect by following these step:
  
  Go to the Apple menu, select System Preferences, click Date & Time, then click the Date & Time tab.  Then either drag the clock to the correct time or click the up and down arrows for the correct time.  Make sure Set date & time automatically checkbox is unchecked.
  
  
• OS9 users will need to go the Apple menu, select Control Panel, then select Date & Time and change the time manually from there.

Note: Customers who change their time manually will need to do so 4 times a year:

• Once on the Second Sunday in March
• Once on the First Sunday in April (because your computer will automatically adjust your time because it thinks daylight saving time is just starting - so you clock would be off by 2 hours)
• Once on the Last Sunday of October (because your computer will again adjust automatically even though daylight saving time has ended yet)
• Once on the First Sunday of November

Outlook 2007

Microsoft Outlook 2007 is aware of the changes to daylight saving time and no updates are required. Microsoft does recommend that customers do run the Outlook Time Zone Data Update tool.

Note: If Outlook 2007 is installed on Windows XP (SP2), the Windows XP Update for daylight saving time must be installed prior to running the Outlook Time Zone Data Update tool. See the Windows XP (SP2) section of this document for details.

• Outlook Time Zone Update tool is available at the Microsoft Download Site
• See 2007 Daylight Saving Time FAQ for additional information on the Outlook Time Zone Data Update tool.
• Additional information on the Outlook Time Zone Update tool is available at Microsoft KB Article 931667
• Additional information on preparing Outlook for daylight saving time is available at Microsoft's "Prepare Outlook calendar items for daylight saving time changes in 2007"

For more information see Microsoft's web site at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/timezone/dst2007.mspx

Outlook 2003

Customers running Outlook 2003 will need to run the Outlook Time Zone Data Update tool.

Note: If Outlook 2003 is installed on Windows XP (SP2) or earlier, the Windows Update for daylight saving time must be installed prior to running the Outlook Time Zone Data Update tool. See the Windows XP (SP2) section of this document for details on updating Windows XP machines.

• Outlook Time Zone Update tool is available at the Microsoft Download Site
• Additional information on the Outlook Time Zone Data Update tool is available at Microsoft KB Article 931667
• Additional information on preparing Outlook for daylight saving time is available at Microsoft's "Prepare Outlook calendar items for daylight saving time changes in 2007"

Entourage 2004

Entourage 2004 should have the Microsoft Office Update 2004 11.3.3 (or later) update installed.

• Visit Microsoft Office Update 2004 11.3.3 site to download the update

Note: Entourage uses should also run the Outlook Time Zone Data Update tool. See our FAQ for details.

Windows CE and Windows Mobile Devices

For information on how to update Windows Mobile and Windows CE devices, click on a link below.

• Windows CE - http://support.microsoft.com/?id=923027
• Windows Mobile - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/daylightsaving/

Microsoft

• More information about Microsoft's time zone changes in general can be found here: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/timezone/dst2007.mspx

Java Platform

• Applications running older Java Runtime Environments may need updates.  More information and updates can be found here:
  http://java.sun.com/developer/technicalArticles/Intl/USDST/