Computer and Software Support


Time

This page is from Microsoft

Updated: January 21, 2005

Displays or sets the system time. Used without parameters, time displays the system time and prompts you to enter a new time.
 
 
Syntax
time [/t] [/time] [Hours:[Minutes[:Seconds[.Hundredths]]][{A | P}]]
Parameters
/t
Displays the current system time, without prompting you to enter a new time.
/time
Same as /t.
Hours
Specifies the hour. Valid values are in the range 0 through 23.
Minutes
Specifies minutes. Valid values are in the range 0 through 59.
Seconds
Specifies seconds. Valid values are in the range 0 through 59.
Hundredths
Specifies hundredths of a second. Valid values are in the range 0 through 99.
{A | P}
Specifies A.M or P.M. for the 12-hour time format. If you type a valid 12-hour time but do not type A or P, time uses A for A.M.
/?
Displays help at the command prompt.
Remarks
  • When using time without parameters, press ENTER to keep the same time.
  • Using the /t parameter

    The /t command-line option is only available if command extensions are enabled (that is, the default). For more information about enabling and disabling command extensions, see cmd in Related Topics.

  • Specifying an invalid time format

    If you specify the time in an invalid format the following message is displayed and the system then waits for you to enter the time in the correct format:

    Invalid time

    Enter new time:

  • Changing the time format

    You can change the time format by changing the setting in Date and Time in Control Panel. For just the MS-DOS subsystem, change the country setting in your Config.nt file. Depending on the Country/Region selected, time is displayed in the 12-hour format or the 24-hour format. If you are setting the time in the 12-hour format, specify P for hours after noon.

Examples
To set your computer clock to 1:36 P.M., type either of the following commands:

time 13:36

time 1:36P

Formatting legend

Format Meaning
Italic Information that the user must supply
Bold Elements that the user must type exactly as shown
Ellipsis (...) Parameter that can be repeated several times in a command line
Between brackets ([]) Optional items
Between braces ({}); choices separated by pipe (|). Example: {even|odd} Set of choices from which the user must choose only one
Courier font Code or program output