[compressedgas]

Yes, the set time automatically requires the time to be set to sometime near the true time and then it will keep it from drifting. However as this is a VM you shouldn't need it as the VM host should have an option for the guest to follow the host's time. When the guest VM starts up, the host gives the guest the current time, after which the set time automatically option would work without issue even though it isn't needed as the guest time can't drift from the host time. Look in your VM host software's guest configuration for clock settings.