Windows net time / w32tm equivalent in Linux
Shows time synchronisation status and synchronises the system clock with an NTP time server.
net time / w32tm
timedatectl
timedatectl
timedatectl
Overview
What this command does
On Windows, "net time / w32tm" is used to view and sync system time via NTP. On Linux, the closest practical mapping shown here is "timedatectl". Shows time synchronisation status and synchronises the system clock with an NTP time server. This reference is grouped under Networking.
Windows → Linux context
What changes when you use this on Linux?
Equivalent task, different tool
Windows net time / w32tm maps to timedatectl for this task. Treat this as a workflow mapping rather than a character-for-character syntax translation.
Portable across the compared distros
The Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch rows use the same command in this mapping. Package availability or defaults can still vary, so check the installed tool version when an option behaves differently.
For the broader concept behind this mapping, read Linux networking for Windows users.
Practical tasks
Common use cases
View and sync system time via NTP
Shows time synchronisation status and synchronises the system clock with an NTP time server.
timedatectl
Show time, timezone, NTP status
timedatectl set-timezone Region/City
Change timezone
timedatectl set-ntp true
Enable automatic NTP sync
Ready to run
Copyable Linux commands
Review paths, device names, package names and permissions before running any command.
timedatectl
timedatectl set-timezone Europe/London
timedatectl set-ntp true
ntpq -p
Walkthrough
Examples with explanations
# Windows: net time /set or w32tm /resync
timedatectl # show current status
timedatectl set-timezone Europe/London
timedatectl set-ntp true
# NTP server details:
ntpq -pReference
Common options and variations
| Command or option | Use |
|---|---|
timedatectl | Show time, timezone, NTP status |
timedatectl set-timezone Region/City | Change timezone |
timedatectl set-ntp true | Enable automatic NTP sync |
ntpq -p | Show NTP peers and sync status |
chronyc tracking | Chrony sync status (if installed) |
Distro differences
Debian/Ubuntu vs Fedora vs Arch
Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch all use "timedatectl" for this mapping. The command syntax shown here is portable across the three rows, although installed versions and system defaults can still vary.
| Distribution | Package manager / base | Equivalent command | Difference to notice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian/Ubuntu | same command | timedatectl |
Same command on this distribution. |
| Fedora | same command | timedatectl |
Same command on this distribution. |
| Arch | same command | timedatectl |
Same command on this distribution. |
Keep learning