How to Change the Timezone in Ubuntu

Ubuntu a popular Linux distribution allows users to adjust many parts of their system including the timezone. If your Ubuntu system shows the incorrect time zone it can be confusing and disturbing. Change timezone Ubuntu it is necessary to correct the time representation. For this, you should have the knowledge and resources you need to successfully alter your time zone and ensure that your virtual clock matches your physical location.

In this post, we will walk through how can we do the Ubuntu set timezone. Further, we will explore the timezone Ubuntu setting on the graphical user interface and command line interface.

Understanding Time Zones:

Before getting started keep in mind that time zones are geographical locations that follow a specified time offset from Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Knowing your chosen time zone is critical for selecting the suitable approach. Changing the timezone Ubuntu server is a simple step that guarantees that your system shows the right time for your location by selecting the appropriate method. There are two main ways to change the Ubuntu timezone:

Graphical User Interface

Following the discussion briefly step-by-step Ubuntu server timezone setting on the Graphical User Interface (GUI), which is the easiest way to configure timezone Ubuntu. This may differ for the Ubuntu OS version respectively.

1. Open the Activities overview and type Settings. Click on it when it appears.
2. In the Settings window, find Date & Time in the sidebar and click on it.
3. Under Automatic Time Zone, ensure the switch is off. This allows manual configuration.

4. Click on Time Zone. You can either:

• Search for your city: Type your city’s name in the search bar and select the appropriate option.
• Navigate the map: Click on your desired location on the world map.

5. Click Close to save the changes.

Command Line Interface

Following the discussion briefly step-by-step change the Ubuntu server timezone setting on the Command Line Interface (CLI) which is important for the technical side and those who are fond of Linux terminals. There are two ways to set the Ubuntu timezone using CLI:

Using timedatectl command:

1. Open a Terminal window. Press Ctrl+Alt+T, or search for “Terminal” in the Activities overview.
2. Use the following command to list available time zones:

timedatectl list-timezones

This will provide a comprehensive list of options.

4. Once you have identified your desired time zone use the following command to set it:

sudo timedatectl set-timezone <your_chosen_timezone>

Replace with the actual time zone string from the previous step. Enter your password when prompted.

5. Alternatively, use the abbreviated format for some common timezones you can use a shorter format. Run the following command:

sudo timedatectl set-timezone <continent>/<city>

Here is the image of the timezone setting looks like:

Using cp command:

Another method to change the timezone Ubuntu terminal:

1. Open a terminal window.
2. Run the following command replacing <your_timezone_file> with the path to the time zone file for your desired location:

sudo cp <your_timezone_file> /etc/localtime

3. This will also change your system’s time zone but it is less convenient than using timedatectl as you need to know the specific file path.

Important Notes

Here are some important notes after setting the Ubuntu timezone:

• Setting the timezone using the GUI is the easiest and recommended method for most users.
• If you are working in a dual-boot environment or have specific reasons for using the command line the provided commands offer more control.
• Remember to replace it with the actual timezone you want to set.
• After changing the timezone it is generally recommended to reboot your system for the changes to take full effect.

Conclusion

Whether you prefer the user-friendly graphical interface or the precision of the command line you have options at your fingertips. Remember for most users the GUI approach offers a straightforward and visually guided experience. Beyond the basic methods, you can even explore setting different time zones for specific users on your system further refining your time management.

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