Calendar Problems

How to Change the Default Time Zone in Microsoft 365 and Exchange

Kushani Nimanthika Sep 30, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users and administrators need to update or set the default time zone for Microsoft 365 accounts and Exchange Online mailboxes.

How to Change the Default Time Zone in Microsoft 365 and Exchange

Product: Microsoft 365 and Exchange Online
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Adjusting regional and time zone configurations for individual email users or across multiple mailboxes in an organization.
Observed behavior: Mailboxes or calendars may reflect incorrect times until the default time zone (such as GMT+5:30) is explicitly assigned.

Before you start

Determine whether you are changing the time zone for your own account or for other users, as modifying other mailboxes requires Microsoft 365 administrative privileges and access to Exchange Online PowerShell.

Solution 1Recommended

Change Time Zone via Microsoft 365 Settings (For Individual Users)

Individual users can easily update their own regional and time zone preferences directly through the Microsoft 365 web portal.

If you only need to fix the time zone for your personal mailbox and calendar, you can do this through your account settings without needing administrative access.

Log in to Microsoft 365

Open your web browser, navigate to the Microsoft 365 portal (office.com), and sign in with your work or school account.

Access account settings

Click on the gear icon (Settings) in the top right corner of the screen, then select 'View all Outlook settings' or 'Language and time zone' depending on your current portal view.

Update the time zone

Locate the 'Time zone' dropdown menu, select your preferred time zone (e.g., GMT+5:30 Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi), and click 'Save' to apply the changes.

Change Time Zone via Microsoft 365 Settings (For Individual Users)

Settings Locked by IT: If the time zone settings are grayed out, your organization may have restricted these changes. You will need to contact your IT administrator.

Solution 2

Change Time Zone Using PowerShell (For Administrators)

Administrators can efficiently view or change the time zone for specific users or bulk mailboxes using the Exchange Online PowerShell cmdlets.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Outlook calendar showing the wrong time for scheduled meetings?

This usually happens if your Microsoft 365 time zone settings do not match your local computer's time zone. Updating your regional settings in the Microsoft 365 portal to your actual location will fix these calendar discrepancies.

Can an administrator change the time zone for all users at once?

Yes. Microsoft 365 administrators can use PowerShell scripts to loop through all mailboxes using the Set-MailboxRegionalConfiguration cmdlet, applying a uniform time zone across the entire organization.

What should I do if I don't know who my Microsoft 365 administrator is?

If you need administrative changes but do not know your admin, check with your company's IT helpdesk, your HR department, or the person who provided your work email address. Microsoft support guidance can also help pinpoint the admin contact.

Outlook & Email Problems