The time format controls how Windows displays the current time. It does not change your computer’s actual clock. Instead, it changes the way the time is presented throughout the Windows interface.
For example, a 12-hour format can display 5:45 PM, while a 24-hour format can display 17:45. Windows uses format codes to determine how the hours, minutes, and AM or PM indicator appear.
The most common format codes are h for an hour in the 12-hour format, H for an hour in the 24-hour format, mm for minutes, ss for seconds, and tt for the AM or PM indicator.
The exact options you see can vary depending on your Windows version and regional settings.
If your Windows clock does not look the way you want, you do not need to install another app. A few changes to your regional time settings can usually take care of it.
Change Default Time Format in Windows 11/10
The steps below cover the most common ways to make this adjustment.
- To change the time format in Windows 11, open Settings > Time & language > Language & region > Regional format > Change formats.
- To change the time format in Windows 10, open Settings > Time & Language > Region > Change data formats.
- Select your preferred Short time and Long time format from the available options.
- Choose a format such as h tt for a 12-hour clock or HH for a 24-hour clock.
- Check the taskbar clock to confirm that Windows is displaying the new time format.
Let’s learn in detail!
Step 1: Open Windows Settings
Start by opening the Windows Settings app. You can do this by selecting Start > Settings, or you can press Windows + I on your keyboard.
In Windows 11, select Time & language from the left side of the Settings window. Then select Language & region. This section contains settings that control your language, region, and regional formatting.
The navigation path is Start > Settings > Time & language > Language & region.
If you are using Windows 10, the layout is slightly different. Open Start > Settings > Time & Language > Region. Windows 10 places the regional options under the Region page instead of the Language & region page used by Windows 11.
Step 2: Open the Regional Format Options
Windows 11 users should look for the Regional format section on the Language & region page. You may see your current regional format listed there.
Select the regional format options and look for Change formats. This area lets you customize how dates, days, and times are displayed.
The navigation path is Settings > Time & language > Language & region > Regional format > Change formats.
On Windows 10, open Settings > Time & Language > Region > Change data formats.
You may notice that Windows provides several formatting choices on this page. These options are connected to your regional configuration, so changing one setting can affect how Windows displays information in different applications.
Step 3: Change the Short Time Format
The Short time setting controls how Windows displays the time in compact areas, including the taskbar clock in many Windows configurations.
Look for the Short time drop-down menu. Select it to see the formats available for your current region.
For a traditional 12-hour clock, you may see an option similar to h tt. This can display a time such as 5:30 PM.
For a 24-hour clock, you may see a format such as HH, which can display the same time as 17:30.
The navigation path is Settings > Time & language > Language & region > Regional format > Change formats > Short time.
Take a moment to select the format that matches how you normally read the time. If you prefer seeing AM and PM, choose the appropriate 12-hour format. If you prefer a format commonly used in schedules, transportation, or technical environments, a 24-hour format may be more convenient.
Step 4: Change the Long Time Format
The Long time setting determines how Windows displays a more detailed version of the current time. Depending on your selected format, this can include seconds.
For example, a long-time format may display something similar to 5:30:25 PM, while another format may show 17:30:25.
To change it, open Settings > Time & language > Language & region > Regional format > Change formats > Long time.
Select the format you prefer from the available options. If you do not need seconds displayed, your Short time setting is generally the more important option to adjust.
Remember that changing the long-time format does not change your computer’s actual clock. It only changes how Windows presents the time.
Change the Time Format Through Control Panel
If you want more control over your Windows regional formatting, you can also use Control Panel. This method is particularly useful when you want to work with specific time-format codes.
Open Control Panel from the Start menu. Select Clock and Region, then select Region.
The navigation path is Control Panel > Clock and Region > Region.
A Region window will appear. Select the Formats tab if it is not already selected. You should see a section showing the current regional format and examples of how dates and times are displayed.
Select Additional settings to access more detailed formatting options.
Next, select the Time tab. Here, you can see the fields associated with the short and long time formats.
Customize the Time Format Manually
The Control Panel method gives you more flexibility because you can manually enter supported time format codes.
In the Time tab, look for the Short time and Long time fields.
For a 12-hour display, a format such as h tt can show the hour, minutes, and AM or PM designation.
For a 24-hour display, HH can display the hour and minutes without an AM or PM indicator.
If you want seconds included in a 24-hour format, you can use a format such as HH:mm.
For a 12-hour format with seconds, a format such as h:mm tt can be used.
Be careful when manually editing these fields. The letters and symbols have specific meanings, so changing them can affect how Windows presents the time.
After making your changes, select Apply, then select OK to save them.
Check the Windows Clock
After changing the format, check the clock on the Windows taskbar. The change may appear immediately, although some applications may need to be reopened before they display the updated formatting.
If the taskbar clock still looks unchanged, give Windows a few moments to refresh. You can also sign out and sign back in if necessary.
Check other areas where time is displayed, such as File Explorer, notifications, or applications that use Windows regional settings.
Keep in mind that not every application follows Windows regional settings. Some programs use their own date and time preferences. If the taskbar shows the correct format but a particular application does not, that application may have a separate setting.
Change the Regional Format If Needed
If you cannot find the time format you want, your current regional format may be affecting the available choices.
In Windows 11, go to Settings > Time & language > Language & region. Under Regional format, select a different format if appropriate.
In Windows 10, go to Settings > Time & Language > Region and review the available regional options.
Changing the regional format can affect more than just the clock. It may also change date formats, number formats, and other regional conventions. Because of this, do not change the entire region simply to modify the clock unless you also want those other formatting changes.
FAQs
Can I change Windows from a 12-hour clock to a 24-hour clock?
Yes. Open Settings > Time & language > Language & region > Regional format > Change formats in Windows 11. Then select a 24-hour option under Short time. Windows 10 provides similar options under Settings > Time & Language > Region > Change data formats.
How do I change 24-hour time to 12-hour time?
Choose a 12-hour time format that includes the tt designation. For example, h tt can display a time such as 6:15 PM instead of 18:15.
Why did my time format not change?
First, check that you selected the correct Short time format. If the taskbar does not update, restart the affected application or sign out and sign back in. Also remember that some applications have their own regional settings.
Does changing the time format change my actual time?
No. Changing the time format only changes how the time is displayed. It does not change the system clock or your computer’s time zone.
Can I show seconds on the Windows clock?
Windows versions and configurations can differ in how seconds are displayed on the taskbar. You can also configure the Long time format to include seconds, but that does not necessarily mean every part of Windows will show seconds.
What does h tt mean?
The h represents the hour in a 12-hour format, mm represents minutes, and tt represents the AM or PM designation. Together, h tt can display a time such as 8:45 AM.
What does HH mean?
HH represents the hour using a 24-hour format, while mm represents minutes. For example, HH can display 8:45 PM as 20:45.
Will changing the time format affect my files?
Normally, changing the displayed time format does not alter the actual timestamps stored with your files. However, the way those timestamps are presented can vary depending on the application and its regional settings.
Bottom Lines
Changing the default time format in Windows 11 or Windows 10 is a straightforward adjustment once you know where the regional settings are located. Windows 11 users can generally start with Settings > Time & language > Language & region > Regional format > Change formats, while Windows 10 users can use Settings > Time & Language > Region > Change data formats.
For most users, changing Short time is all that is needed. Select a 12-hour format if you prefer AM and PM, or choose a 24-hour format if you prefer time displayed from 00 through 23.
If the available choices are not flexible enough, Control Panel > Clock and Region > Region > Additional settings > Time provides additional formatting controls.