Now

Now v1.03 - Command-Line Date and Time Formatting

The most versatile command-line date and time utility for batch files, login scripts, and automation

FREE
Jump to: Overview History Download Request a Feature

Total Control Over Date and Time Output

Now is the most versatile command-line date and time utility available. It supports a multitude of options for formatting your system date and time in any way you need. A Windows message box option displays the formatted value, and for power users, a clipboard option copies the formatted date and time directly to the Windows clipboard.

Now is a great tool for batch files, login scripts, or for anyone who needs total control over the format of their date and time output. Whether you are timestamping log files, creating dated filenames, or displaying formatted dates in scripts, Now handles it with a single command.

Who Is This For?

  • IT administrators -- Generate timestamps for login scripts, log files, and automated system reports with custom date and time formatting.
  • Script developers -- Embed formatted date/time output into batch files, scheduled tasks, or any command-line workflow.
  • Log file managers -- Create dated filenames or add timestamps to log entries with precise formatting control.
  • Power users -- Copy formatted date and time to the clipboard or display it in a message box for quick reference.

Key Features

Custom Formatting Dozens of format codes for day, month, year, hour, minute, second, and millisecond. Build any date/time format you need with a single command.
Clipboard Copy The /c option copies the formatted date and time directly to the Windows clipboard, ready to paste into any application.
Message Box Display The /w option displays the formatted date and time in a Windows message box for quick visual confirmation.
Script Integration Runs entirely from the command line. Output can be redirected, piped, or captured in batch variables for automated workflows.
Self-Closing Now runs, outputs the formatted date/time, and exits immediately. No process left running, no cleanup required.

Fully Portable -- Zero Installation

No Installation Required
No Installation Required Runs directly from an .exe file. No setup wizard, no "Next, Next, Finish."
Runs From USB
Runs From USB Copy to a flash drive and use on any PC. IT techs carry these on a keychain for on-site support.
Leaves No Trace
Leaves No Trace No files left behind after use. Delete the folder and it is gone completely.
No Registry Changes
No Registry Changes Does not modify the Windows registry, system settings, or install drivers.
Self-Contained
Self-Contained Everything the program needs lives in its own folder. No scattered DLLs or AppData clutter.
No Admin Rights Needed
No Admin Rights Needed Runs under standard user accounts. No UAC prompts, no IT ticket required.
Lightweight
Lightweight Tiny footprint, typically under 1 MB. No frameworks, runtimes, or bloated dependencies.
Instant Startup
Instant Startup Launches in under a second. No splash screens, no loading bars, no waiting.

Command Line Options

NOW [format] /c /w /? /?+

  • [format] -- Custom format string using date/time codes (see /?+ for all available formatting options).
  • /c -- Copies the formatted date and time to the Windows clipboard.
  • /w -- Displays the formatted date and time in a Windows message box.
  • /? -- Displays standard help information.
  • /?+ -- Displays all available date/time formatting options.

Example:

NOW dddd, mmmm d, yyyy, 'at' hh:mm AM/PM

Would display: Wednesday, May 7, 2003, at 08:41 PM

Windows Compatibility

Windows 11 Win 11
Windows 10 Win 10
Windows 8 Win 8
Windows 7 Win 7
Windows Vista Vista
Windows XP XP
Windows 2000 Win 2k
Windows NT NT
Windows ME ME
Windows 98 98
Windows 95 95

Download Now

Help Build the Next Version of Now

This is not a "contact us" box. Every bug report and feature request you send for Now goes straight onto its development roadmap - the list each new release is built from. When your fix or feature ships, we email you.

  1. Thumbs up in a speech bubble1. You tell usWhat is broken, missing or slowing you down.
  2. Feedback rating faces2. It joins the roadmapLogged against Now and read by the people who build it.
  3. Rocket launching3. We email you when it shipsYour change, in a new release.

Suggest a Feature or Report a Bug

Version History

v1.03 May 7, 2003

Added the option for including milliseconds in the outputted time.
Rewrote the command line parsing methods to speed up processing.
Updated command line help (/?+ option) to include more information.

v1.02 June 1, 2002

Removed extra space being added at the end of the formatted date.

v1.01 July 13, 2001

Corrected problem if -w or -c were included in the format text.
Updated help.
Rewrote command line parsing logic.

v1.00 January 14, 2001

Initial version.

What Users Are Saying

★★★★★ 5 out of 5 Based on 1,000 ratings
20,000+ downloads
★★★★★

"A must-have for batch scripting. Getting formatted dates in batch files used to be painful."

-- Phil E., Sysadmin
★★★★★

"We use it in every login script for timestamped logging. Reliable for over a decade."

-- Janet M., IT Specialist

Download Now

Now v1.03
Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000, NT, ME, 98, 95
Download Download v1.03
160 KB SHA256: ad732d5aabdd...0579 Freeware Updated: May 7, 2003

You Might Also Like

UpTime
UpTime v2.00 FREE

Display how long your Windows system has been running in a customizable, borderless window with tray icon and Always On Top.

Learn More
Money Meter
Money Meter v1.00 FREE

Track meeting costs in real-time by calculating employee expense per second. Visualizes how much money is spent during meetings.

Learn More

Support Now Development

Now is completely free. If this tool has saved you time, consider making a donation to help fund continued development and new features.

Support and Information

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about Now.

View FAQ
Found a Bug? Want a Feature?

Report it and it goes on the Now roadmap. We email you when it ships.

Suggest or Report
Uninstall

To uninstall, simply delete the program folder. No registry entries or system files are left behind.

How to Update

Download the latest version and extract over your existing folder, or to a new location. Settings are preserved.

Privacy: This software does not collect, transmit, or store any personal data. No internet connection required.

End-User License Agreement (EULA)

A woodworker types on a Mac in a workshop whose walls are covered in clocks, including one with the RJL Software logo