In this article, we’ll cover:
What Timeshift is
Key features and use cases
Installation steps (Ubuntu, Fedora, AlmaLinux, Arch)
GUI & CLI configuration examples
PowerShell remote management examples
Real-world scenarios where Timeshift helps
Timeshift is a Linux system restore utility similar to Windows System Restore or macOS Time Machine. It creates snapshots of your system at specific points in time, allowing quick rollback when needed.
Safe Upgrades – Roll back if a new kernel or package update breaks the system.
Testing Applications – Install experimental software safely.
Configuration Rollback – Undo misconfigured system files.
Disaster Recovery – Restore after accidental deletion of /etc
, /boot
, or system libraries.
Multi-Server Management – Take automated snapshots on production servers before updates.
sudo apt update
sudo apt install timeshift -y
sudo dnf install timeshift -y
sudo pacman -S timeshift
sudo dnf install epel-release -y
sudo dnf install timeshift -y
Run:
sudo timeshift-gtk
Select RSYNC or BTRFS.
Choose snapshot location.
Enable daily + weekly schedules.
Optionally include /home
for user data.
Create snapshot with comment:
sudo timeshift --create --comments "Pre-security-update" --tags D
List snapshots:
sudo timeshift --list
Restore snapshot:
sudo timeshift --restore --snapshot '2025-09-26_07-15-00' --yes
Windows admins can run Timeshift remotely using PowerShell:
ssh [email protected]
ssh [email protected] "sudo timeshift --create --comments 'Patch Tuesday snapshot' --tags D"
ssh [email protected] "sudo timeshift --list"
ssh [email protected] "sudo timeshift --restore --snapshot '2025-09-25_18-30-00' --yes"
You can schedule automated snapshots on multiple servers:
$servers = "192.168.1.101","192.168.1.102"
foreach ($s in $servers) {
ssh admin@$s "sudo timeshift --create --comments 'Nightly snapshot' --tags D"
}
Before applying a kernel update:
sudo timeshift --create --comments "Before kernel upgrade" --tags D
sudo dnf update -y
If boot fails → boot from rescue and restore snapshot.
Install beta packages:
sudo timeshift --create --comments "Before installing Docker beta" --tags O
If Docker breaks → restore snapshot.
A sysadmin managing 10 Fedora servers can run:
$servers = Get-Content .\serverlist.txt
foreach ($s in $servers) {
ssh admin@$s "sudo timeshift --create --comments 'Weekly snapshot' --tags W"
}
This ensures every server has a fallback before updates.
Timeshift gives Linux admins and users peace of mind with quick rollback capabilities. Whether on Ubuntu, Fedora, AlmaLinux, or Arch, you can secure your system against failed updates, experiments, or misconfigurations.
And with PowerShell + SSH, even Windows admins can easily integrate Timeshift into cross-platform automation.
👉 Use Timeshift before patches, upgrades, or risky changes to make sure you always have a safe restore point.