Microsoft Confirms It Will Not Fix Windows Lock Screen Clock Glitch

Microsoft has confirmed that it will not release a fix for a known clock bug affecting the Windows 11 and Windows 10 operating systems. The software maker detailed its decision in a recently published support document, explaining that the issue is entirely intentional. Rather than treating it as a problem to be solved, the company stated that this visual quirk is operating exactly as intended.

Why is the clock running late?

When you press the required keys to open the Secure Lock Screen, you might notice the clock displaying the wrong time. This specific screen provides security options to lock your desktop, change a password, or open the task manager. The clock on this screen refreshes on a rigid thirty-second cycle. That means the numbers will update up to thirty seconds after the actual minute changes.

As Neowin notes, the company clarified that this secure desktop environment runs on its own unique refresh schedule. This stands in contrast to the standard user lock screen, which accurately updates the exact moment a minute passes.

While it can look confusing to users, the company considers this a simple visual detail. The underlying system time remains perfectly precise. All critical background tasks, event logs, and synchronization functions pull their data directly from the system kernel clock.

Because those core functions are completely unaffected, the development team feels no need to change the current display behavior.