Windows
Linux
Networking
Windows net time / w32tm equivalent in Linux
Shows time synchronisation status and synchronises the system clock with an NTP time server.
Windows
→
net time / w32tm
Linux equivalents
timedatectl
timedatectl
timedatectl
Overview
What this command does
Shows time synchronisation status and synchronises the system clock with an NTP time server.
Migration tip: Modern Linux uses systemd-timesyncd or chrony for automatic NTP sync.
timedatectl shows whether sync is active and lets you set the timezone.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
This command is the same on Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch Linux when the relevant tool is installed.
| 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