Windows uptime (Task Manager → Performance) equivalent in Linux
Displays how long the system has been running since the last boot, along with current CPU load averages.
uptime (Task Manager → Performance)
uptime
uptime
uptime
Overview
What this command does
On Windows, "uptime (Task Manager → Performance)" is used to show how long the system has been running. On Linux, the closest practical mapping shown here is "uptime". Displays how long the system has been running since the last boot, along with current CPU load averages. This reference is grouped under System & Storage → System Info.
Windows → Linux context
What changes when you use this on Linux?
Same name, different environment
The basic command name uptime is familiar on both platforms, but Linux path rules, quoting, permissions and available options can still change the result.
Portable across the compared distros
The Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch rows use the same command in this mapping. Package availability or defaults can still vary, so check the installed tool version when an option behaves differently.
For the broader concept behind this mapping, read Linux disks, storage and mounts.
Practical tasks
Common use cases
Show how long the system has been running
Displays how long the system has been running since the last boot, along with current CPU load averages.
uptime
Uptime and load averages
uptime -p
Human readable: 'up 3 days, 2 hours'
uptime -s
Exact boot time
Ready to run
Copyable Linux commands
Review paths, device names, package names and permissions before running any command.
uptime
uptime -p
uptime -s
Walkthrough
Examples with explanations
# Windows: Task Manager → Performance → Up Time
uptime
14:32:00 up 5 days, 3:41, 2 users, load average: 0.52, 0.48, 0.41
uptime -p # up 5 days, 3 hours, 41 minutes
uptime -s # 2025-01-10 10:51:32Reference
Common options and variations
| Command or option | Use |
|---|---|
uptime | Uptime and load averages |
uptime -p | Human readable: 'up 3 days, 2 hours' |
uptime -s | Exact boot time |
who -b | Last system boot time |
Distro differences
Debian/Ubuntu vs Fedora vs Arch
Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch all use "uptime" for this mapping. The command syntax shown here is portable across the three rows, although installed versions and system defaults can still vary.
| Distribution | Package manager / base | Equivalent command | Difference to notice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian/Ubuntu | same command | uptime |
Same command on this distribution. |
| Fedora | same command | uptime |
Same command on this distribution. |
| Arch | same command | uptime |
Same command on this distribution. |
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