How to Change Date and Time Format in Windows 11

Don’t like the default date and time format? Here is a simple way to change the date and time format in Windows 11.

On Windows 11, the date and time formats will automatically be set based on your location, as specified during the installation process. For example, where I live, the date format is DD-MM-YYYY. For you, it might be different. Generally, the default date and time formats based on your country setting are fine for the vast majority of users. However, there might be times when you want to change the date and time format shown in Windows 11.

For example, maybe you want to show weekdays next to the date, switch from 12-hour to 24-hour time format, etc. Thankfully, one of the best things about Windows 11 is that it gives you extensive customization options for date and time formats.

No matter the reason, if you ever want to change the date or time format in Windows 11, follow the steps given below. It will be done in no time.

Quick navigation links:

• Change date format in Windows 11
• Change time format in Windows 11
• Set custom date and time format

Change Date Format in Windows 11

You can change the date format from the Windows 11 Settings app. Here is how to do it.

1. Right-click on the date and time on the taskbar.
2. Select “Adjust date and time“.
3. Click “Language and region” at the bottom.
4. Scroll down and click on the “Regional format” option.
5. Click the “Date & time format” option.
6. Select a date format from the “Short date” dropdown menu.
7. (Optional) Select a date format from the “Long date” dropdown menu.
8. Close the Settings app.
9. With that, you’ve changed the date format in Windows 11.

Detailed Steps (With Screenshots)

First, right-click on the date and time on the taskbar and select the “Adjust date and time” option.

Now, click the “Language and region” option under the “Related Links” section.

Next, scroll down, click the “Regional format” option to expand it. Next, click the “Date & time format” option.

Now, select a date format from the “Short date” dropdown menu. This appears in the taskbar. To change the long format that appears in the calendar flyout, select a date format from the “Long date” dropdown.

As soon as you select the date format, it will be applied to the taskbar immediately.

If you are wondering, the new Settings app doesn’t allow you to set a custom date format. You can only select from the pre-defined formats. If you want to set a custom format, follow the third section.

Change Time Format in Windows 11

To change the time format in Windows 11, follow the steps given below.

1. Right-click on the date and time on the taskbar.
2. Select “Adjust date and time“.
3. Click “Language and region” at the bottom.
4. Scroll down and click on the “Regional format” option.
5. Click the “Date & time format” option.
6. Select a time format from the “Short time” dropdown menu.
7. Close the Settings app.
8. With that, you’ve changed the time format in Windows 11.

Keep in mind that the Settings app doesn’t allow you to set a custom time format. You can only select from pre-defined formats. If you want to set a custom time format, follow the third section below.

Set Custom Date and Time Format

Instead of using the predefined date and time formats, if you want to set a custom date and time format, you have to use the good old control panel. For example, I want to show the weekdays in the date format. That means I have to use a custom date format. Here is how to do it.

First, search for “Control Panel” in the Start menu and click the top result to open it. Next, set the “View by” to “Large icons” and find & click the “Region” option.

Now, make sure you are in the “Formats” tab, then click the “Additional settings” button at the bottom.

Go to the “Time” tab and set the custom time format in the “Short time” field. You can use the notations below to set the time format.

• hh = hour (12-hour format)
• HH = Hour (24-hour format)
• m = minute
• tt = A.M or P/m

To set a custom date format, go to the “Date” tab. Next, set the custom date format in the “Short date” field. Use the notations below to set the custom date format.

• d, dd = day
• ddd, dddd = day of week
• M = month
• y = year

For example, to show the weekday before the date, you set the date format to “ddd, dd-MM-yy“.

That is all. It is that simple to change the date and time format using the predefined format or custom formats. If you have any questions or need help, comment below. I’ll be h

Update: This article has been updated to reflect the changes to the Windows 11 UI.