TIME (command)

In computing, TIME is a command in DEC RT-11, DOS, IBM OS/2, Microsoft Windows and a number of other operating systems that is used to display and set the current system time. It is included in command-line interpreters such as COMMAND.COM, cmd.exe, 4DOS, 4OS2 and 4NT.

Implementations

The command is also available in the Motorola VERSAdos, Intel iRMX 86, PC-MOS, SpartaDOS X, ReactOS, SymbOS, and DexOS operating systems as well as in the EFI shell. On MS-DOS, the command is available in versions 1 and later.
In Unix, the date command displays and sets both the time and date, in a similar manner.

Syntax

The syntax differs depending on the specific platform and implementation:

DOS

TIME

OS/2 (CMD.EXE)

TIME

Note: /N means no prompt for TIME.

Windows (CMD.EXE)

TIME

When this command is called from the command line or a batch script, it will display the time and wait for the user to type a new time and press RETURN. Pressing RETURN without entering a new time will keep the current system time. The parameter '/T' will bypass asking the user to reset the time. The '/T' parameter is supported in Windows Vista and later and only if Command Extensions are enabled.

4DOS, 4OS2 and 4NT

TIME
/T:
hh: The hour.
mm: The minute.
ss: The second, set to 0 if omitted.

Examples

OS/2 (CMD.EXE)

Display the current system time:

TIME
Current time is: 3:25 PM
Enter the new time:

Windows (CMD.EXE)

To set the computer clock to 3:42 P.M., either of the following commands can be used:

C:\>TIME 15:42
C:\>TIME 3:42P

4DOS, 4OS2 and 4NT

Display the current system time:

C:\SYS\SHELL\4DOS>TIME /T
19:30:42