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Asked: 2024-09-24T10:54:02+05:30 In:

How can I change the timezone on my Ubuntu system using the command line?

I’ve been having a bit of a struggle with my Ubuntu system lately, and I’m hoping someone here can help me out before I pull all my hair out! So, here’s the deal: I recently moved to a different time zone, and my computer still thinks I’m in the old one. It’s causing all sorts of chaos, like my appointments showing up at weird times and my reminders going off when I’m not even ready to tackle them yet. Super frustrating!

I’ve heard that there’s a way to change the timezone using the command line, but to be honest, I’m a bit of a noob when it comes to terminal commands. I usually just rely on the graphical interface for everything, but it seems like this might be a good opportunity to step out of my comfort zone. Still, the whole command line thing feels a bit intimidating, especially when you’re messing with system settings.

So, can anyone break it down for me? I’d love to know the exact steps I need to follow. Do I just type in a command like “change timezone,” or is it more complicated than that? Are there any specific commands I should be aware of? I’ve also heard something about using “timedatectl,” but I’m not entirely sure how that fits into the process.

Also, will I need to restart my computer afterward, or does it take effect right away? And what if I want to switch back to the old time zone—you know, if I decide I miss my previous location for whatever reason? Would I need to remember all the commands, or is there a way to check what the currently set timezone is without too much hassle?

Any advice or commands you can share would be amazing! I really want to get this sorted out without too much fuss, so I can stop worrying about missed meetings and reminders going off at odd hours. Thanks in advance for your help!

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    2 Answers

    1. To change the timezone on your Ubuntu system using the command line, you can use the `timedatectl` command, which simplifies this process significantly. First, open your terminal. You can check your current timezone by running the command timedatectl. This will display various time-related settings, including the current timezone. To list all available timezones, use timedatectl list-timezones. Once you find your desired timezone, change it by running sudo timedatectl set-timezone YOUR_TIMEZONE, replacing YOUR_TIMEZONE with the actual timezone you wish to set, such as America/New_York. After executing this command, the new timezone takes effect immediately; you won’t need to restart your computer.

      If you ever want to switch back to your old timezone, you can simply repeat the process with the old timezone’s name. To check the currently set timezone again, just run timedatectl without any arguments. Remembering the commands is not strictly necessary since you can always refer back to these instructions or use the man timedatectl command to read the manual for more detailed help. Don’t worry, many people find the command line a bit intimidating at first, but with practice, you’ll likely find it to be a powerful tool for managing your system. Good luck!


    2. Changing Time Zone on Ubuntu

      No worries, it’s pretty straightforward to change the time zone using the command line! Here’s a simple guide to help you out:

      Step 1: Open the Terminal

      You can do this by searching for “Terminal” in your Ubuntu applications or by using the shortcut Ctrl + Alt + T.

      Step 2: Check the Current Time Zone

      First, let’s see what your system thinks the current time zone is. Type this command and hit Enter:

      timedatectl

      This will show you a bunch of info, and you’ll see the current time zone listed there.

      Step 3: List Available Time Zones

      Now, you need to find out the name of the time zone you want. Run this command:

      timedatectl list-timezones

      This will list all available time zones. You can scroll through this list or type Ctrl + F to search for your desired time zone (like ‘America/New_York’).

      Step 4: Change the Time Zone

      Once you know the time zone you want, use this command to change it:

      sudo timedatectl set-timezone YOUR_TIMEZONE

      Replace YOUR_TIMEZONE with the actual time zone you found in the previous step.

      Step 5: Confirm the Change

      Run the timedatectl command again to confirm that the time zone has been updated correctly.

      Do You Need to Restart?

      Nope! You don’t need to restart your computer. The change takes effect immediately.

      Switching Back

      If at any point you want to change back to your old time zone, just follow the same steps and use the old time zone name in Step 4.

      Checking Current Time Zone Again

      If you forget what time zone you’re in after changing it, just run the timedatectl command again, and it’ll show you!

      That’s it! You’re all set to go! Step out of your comfort zone and give it a try. It’s easier than it seems!


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