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 (shells) 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 [time]
OS/2 (CMD.EXE) TIME [hh-mm-ss] [/N]
Note: /N means no prompt for TIME.
Windows (CMD.EXE) TIME [/T | 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[:mm[:ss]]] [AM | PM]
/T: (display only) hh: The hour (0–23). mm: The minute (0–59). ss: The second (0–59), set to 0 if omitted.
Examples
OS/2 (CMD.EXE) Display the current system time:
[C:\]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
See also
DATE (command) date (Unix) List of DOS commands Date and time notation