Change Default Time Format in Windows 11/10

Windows normally displays the time in a format based on your regional settings. Depending on your Windows region and language preferences, the taskbar clock may show time in either a 12-hour format, such as 10:30 AM, or a 24-hour format, such as 10:30.

If you prefer one format over the other, you do not need to install another application. Windows 11 and Windows 10 provide settings that let you change the default time format. 

You can also customize how hours, minutes, and seconds are displayed in supported settings.

In this guide, I have explained how to change the default time format in Windows 11/10 using the Windows Settings app. 

The Windows Default Time Format

The default time format in Windows is determined largely by your regional format and its associated time settings. For example, a system configured for a 12-hour convention may display 9:45 AM, while a 24-hour convention may display 09:45.

Windows provides short and long time formats. The Short time format is commonly used for the clock and compact displays, while the Long time format can include seconds.

Changing these formats does not change the actual system time. It only changes how Windows displays the time.

For example, if your computer currently shows 7:30 PM, changing the format to a 24-hour clock will display it as 19:30. The underlying time remains exactly the same.

Change default time format in Windows 11/10

To change the default time format in Windows 11 or Windows 10, open Settings, go to Time & language or Time & Language, select Language & region or Region, open the regional format settings, and choose a format that uses the desired 12-hour or 24-hour clock. You can also manually customize the short and long time formats through the classic Regional settings interface.

The exact wording and location of some options can differ slightly between Windows 11 and Windows 10. 

The following steps cover the common method and explain what each setting does.

Step 1: Open Windows Settings

First, open the Windows Settings application. This is where Windows stores most of its system configuration options.

The easiest way to open Settings is to press Windows + I on your keyboard at the same time. The Settings window should appear on your screen.

You can also open the Start menu and select Settings. On Windows 11, the Settings icon appears in the Start menu or can be found by searching for “Settings.”

If you are completely new to Windows, remember that the Windows key is the key on your keyboard with the Windows logo. It is usually located near the bottom-left corner of the keyboard.

Step 2: Open the Time and Language Settings

Once Settings is open, look at the categories on the left side.

In Windows 11, select Time & language.

In Windows 10, select Time & Language.

This section contains settings related to your computer’s date, time, language, region, and related formatting options.

Do not change the actual date or time if your only goal is to change the way the clock looks. We are interested in the regional time format, not the computer’s current clock value.

Step 3: Open Language and Region or Region Settings

Windows 11 users should select Language & region from the Time & language page.

You will see options related to your Windows display language, preferred languages, and regional settings.

Windows 10 users may see Region in the left-hand menu instead.

The region is important because Windows uses regional conventions to determine how information such as dates, numbers, currency, and times should normally be displayed.

For example, changing the regional format can change the default way Windows displays dates and times.

Step 4: Check the Regional Format

In Windows 11, find the Regional format section.

You may see a format such as English (United States) or another regional format depending on your current Windows configuration.

Select the regional format dropdown if you want to see the available formats.

However, be careful when changing the entire regional format. It can affect more than the clock. It may also change date formats, number formatting, and other regional conventions.

If you only want to change the time format while keeping your existing regional preferences, continue with the customization method below.

Step 5: Open the Regional Format Settings

Windows provides a more detailed interface for customizing individual formats.

In Windows 11, look for the option that lets you open additional regional format settings. Depending on your Windows version, this may appear as Administrative language settings, Regional format settings, or through the classic Region control panel.

Another way to reach the classic interface is to press Windows + R.

The Run dialog box will appear.

Type:

intl.cpl

Then press Enter.

This opens the classic Region settings window. This method is particularly useful because it gives you direct access to the detailed time-format controls.

Step 6: Select the Formats Tab

After opening the Region window, make sure you are on the Formats tab.

You will see your current regional format near the top.

Look for the Additional settings button.

Click Additional settings to open a new window containing detailed controls for numbers, currency, time, and dates.

For this guide, we are interested specifically in the Time tab.

Step 7: Open the Time Tab

Select the Time tab in the Additional Settings window.

You will now see several fields related to how Windows displays time.

The most important settings are Short time and Long time.

Short time controls a compact time format. This is particularly relevant when Windows displays the time in places where space is limited.

Long time controls a more detailed time format and can include seconds.

This is where you can manually select whether you want an AM/PM format or a 24-hour format.

Step 8: Choose a 12-Hour Time Format

If you want Windows to use the familiar 12-hour clock, choose a format containing h or hh together with tt.

For example, a format similar to:

h:mm tt

displays time like:

9:30 AM

The tt part represents the AM or PM designator.

You can also use a two-digit hour format, depending on the appearance you prefer.

The important part for a 12-hour display is the use of the appropriate 12-hour hour symbols and the AM/PM designator.

Step 9: Choose a 24-Hour Time Format

If you prefer the 24-hour clock, choose a format based on H or HH without the AM/PM designator.

For example:

HH:mm

can display:

21:30

This format removes AM and PM because the hour itself indicates whether the time is before or after noon.

A 24-hour format is sometimes called military time, although it is more accurately described as the 24-hour clock and is widely used in everyday life around the world.

Step 10: Customize the Long Time Format

You can also change the Long time format.

If you want seconds included, you can use a format such as:

HH:mm:ss

This could display:

21:30:45

The ss portion represents seconds.

Keep in mind that changing the long time format does not necessarily mean the Windows taskbar clock will always show seconds. The taskbar has its own display behavior and settings, particularly in different Windows 11 versions.

The Long time setting is primarily a regional formatting setting used by Windows and applications that rely on that format.

Step 11: Apply the New Time Format

After selecting your preferred format, click Apply.

Then click OK to close the Additional Settings window.

Click OK again to close the Region window.

Windows should now use your new time-format preference in locations that follow the system’s regional settings.

If the change does not immediately appear everywhere, do not assume that the setting failed. Some applications may use their own date and time formatting settings instead of the Windows regional format.

Step 12: Check the Windows Clock

Finally, look at the clock on the Windows taskbar.

If you changed from a 12-hour format to a 24-hour format, you may now see something like 18:45 instead of 6:45 PM.

If you changed from 24-hour to 12-hour formatting, you may see 6:45 PM instead.

If the taskbar does not immediately reflect your preferred format, sign out of Windows and sign back in, or restart the computer. You can also check the regional settings again to make sure the selected format was saved correctly.

FAQs

Can I change Windows 11 from 24-hour to 12-hour time?

Yes. You can change the time format through Windows regional settings. Use the 12-hour format with AM/PM when customizing the Short time setting.

Can I change Windows 10 from 12-hour to 24-hour time?

Yes. Windows 10 allows you to customize the time format through its Region settings. Open intl.cpl, select Additional settings, and then open the Time tab.

Does changing the time format change my computer’s actual time?

No. Changing the format only changes how the time is displayed. It does not change the actual system clock.

Why does Windows still show AM and PM after I changed the format?

The application or location you are looking at may use a separate time-format setting. Check the Short time format and make sure it does not contain the tt designator if you want a 24-hour display.

Can I show seconds on the Windows taskbar clock?

Windows 11 versions that support the relevant taskbar option allow seconds to be displayed through Taskbar settings. The regional Long time setting and the taskbar’s seconds option are separate settings.

Will changing the regional format affect anything besides time?

Yes. Changing the overall regional format can also affect dates, numbers, currency, and other regional formatting conventions. If you only want to change the clock, manually changing the time format is usually more appropriate.