Windows
Linux
PowerShell Equivalents
File System
Windows PowerShell Set-Content equivalent in Linux
Writes new content to a file, replacing the previous contents.
Windows
→
PowerShell Set-Content
Linux equivalents
printf "%s
" "text" > file.txt
printf "%s
" "text" > file.txt
printf "%s
" "text" > file.txt
Overview
What this command does
Writes new content to a file, replacing the previous contents.
Migration tip: Shell redirection with
> replaces a file. tee is useful when the destination requires sudo permissions.Practical tasks
Common use cases
Replace file contents
Writes new content to a file, replacing the previous contents.
printf "%s\n" "Hello" > file.txt
Replace a file with one line
printf "%s\n" "one" "two" > file.txt
Write multiple lines
printf "%s\n" "setting=value" | sudo tee /etc/example.conf
Write a root-owned file
Ready to run
Copyable Linux commands
Review paths, device names, package names and permissions before running any command.
printf "%s\n" "Hello" > file.txt
printf "%s\n" "one" "two" > file.txt
printf "%s\n" "setting=value" | sudo tee /etc/example.conf
Walkthrough
Examples with explanations
printf "%s\n" "Hello" > file.txt # replace the file contents
printf "%s\n" "one" "two" > file.txt # write several lines
printf "%s\n" "setting=value" | sudo tee /etc/example.conf # write through sudoReference
Common options and variations
| Command or option | Use |
|---|---|
printf "%s\n" "Hello" > file.txt | Replace a file with one line |
printf "%s\n" "one" "two" > file.txt | Write multiple lines |
printf "%s\n" "setting=value" | sudo tee /etc/example.conf | Write a root-owned file |
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 | printf "%s
" "text" > file.txt |
Same command on this distribution. |
| Fedora | same command | printf "%s
" "text" > file.txt |
Same command on this distribution. |
| Arch | same command | printf "%s
" "text" > file.txt |
Same command on this distribution. |
Important
What to watch out for
The > operator truncates the destination before writing. Use >> or tee -a when you intend to append.
Keep learning