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To change how Windows 11 displays dates and times, open Settings > Time & language > Language & region > Regional format > Change formats, then choose the date and time styles you want. For explicit 12- or 24-hour patterns, use Control Panel’s Formats tab instead. These settings change the display format, not the actual time, date, or time zone.
Method 1: Change formats in Windows Settings
- Open Settings.
- Select Time & language, then Language & region.
- Under Regional format, select Change formats.
- Choose the short and long date and time formats from the available options.
This is the direct Settings route for choosing date and time styles. Labels or placement may vary slightly by Windows 11 build. Microsoft Q&A guidance for Windows 11 describes this route.
Method 2: Change individual patterns in Control Panel
- Open Control Panel.
- Select Clock and Region, then Change date, time or number formats.
- On the Formats tab, choose the desired entries for Short date, Long date, Short time, and Long time.
- Select Apply, then OK.
This Microsoft-documented route makes the short and long patterns easy to distinguish. Microsoft Support’s Windows instructions provide the steps and time-format examples.
Method 3: Switch between 12-hour and 24-hour time
In Control Panel, open Clock and Region > Change date, time or number formats and use the Formats tab. Set both time fields to the pattern for the clock style you want:
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| Clock style | Short time | Long time |
|---|---|---|
| 24-hour | HH:mm | HH:mm:ss |
| 12-hour | h:mm:tt | h:mm:ss:tt |
The short-time choice generally affects compact clock displays. The long-time pattern is available where Windows or an application shows a long time value.
Method 4: Choose a regional format for local conventions
If you want date and time conventions associated with a different culture, change the regional format under Settings > Time & language > Language & region. Windows offers conventions that vary by culture, so this can affect more than one date field. If you only want a different date order or clock style, choose individual patterns where available rather than changing the broader regional format. Microsoft Learn explains how date, time, and number formats are culture-specific.
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Which method should you use?
| What you want to change | Best route |
|---|---|
| Choose common date and time styles in Windows 11 | Settings > Time & language > Language & region > Regional format > Change formats |
| See and select short and long patterns directly | Control Panel > Clock and Region > Change date, time or number formats |
| Set a 12- or 24-hour time pattern | Control Panel Formats tab |
| Use conventions associated with another culture | Settings Regional format |
What if the clock itself is wrong?
Format controls only change how date and time values appear. To set the underlying clock or time zone, open Settings > Time & language > Date & time. See Microsoft’s instructions for time, date, and time-zone settings.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why an app may show a different-looking time
Applications can follow Windows’ regional settings when displaying dates and times. Microsoft Support notes that Outlook uses the computer’s country/region settings to determine how times appear. An app may also have its own display options, so check its settings if its presentation does not match Windows.
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