Windows 11 shows dates in your region’s default style, such as 9/25/2026 in the US or 25/09/2026 in the UK. You can change it to any common format, including the unambiguous 2026-09-25, and create fully custom formats for the taskbar clock, File Explorer, and apps that follow Windows settings. This guide covers the Settings app, custom formats in Control Panel, showing the day of the week in the taskbar, and related time settings.
Quick Answer
Open Settings > Time & language > Language & region. Under Regional format, click it to expand, then click Change formats. Pick new Short date and Long date formats from the drop-downs. The taskbar and File Explorer update right away. If the date looks right but the hour is wrong, the format isn’t the problem; here’s how to change the time and time zone on Windows 11.
Method 1: Settings (Preset Formats)
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Go to Time & language > Language & region.
- Click Regional format, then Change formats.
- Choose options for Short date, Long date, First day of week, Short time, and Long time.
To switch everything to another country’s conventions at once, choose a different Regional format, such as English (United Kingdom).
Method 2: Custom Formats (Control Panel)
If the format you want isn’t in the list, define your own:
- Press Windows + R, type
intl.cpl, and press Enter to open Region. - Click Additional settings and open the Date tab.
- Type a pattern in Short date or Long date, using the codes below.
- Click Apply and OK.
Date format codes
| Code | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| d / dd | Day without / with a leading zero | 5 / 05 |
| ddd / dddd | Short / full weekday name | Fri / Friday |
| M / MM | Month without / with a leading zero | 9 / 09 |
| MMM / MMMM | Short / full month name | Sep / September |
| yy / yyyy | Two-digit / four-digit year | 26 / 2026 |
Examples: yyyy-MM-dd gives 2026-09-25, dd.MM.yyyy gives 25.09.2026, and ddd d MMM yyyy gives Fri 25 Sep 2026.
Show the Day of the Week in the Taskbar
The Windows 11 taskbar uses the Short date. Set a custom short date that starts with ddd (for example, ddd M/d/yyyy) in intl.cpl > Additional settings > Date. The taskbar then shows “Fri 9/25/2026.”
Related Time Settings
- 24-hour clock: in Change formats, choose a Short time without AM/PM, such as
HH:mm. - Show seconds on the taskbar clock: Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors > Show seconds in system tray clock.
- Wrong date or time: Settings > Time & language > Date & time, then turn on Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically, and click Sync now.
Which Apps Use These Settings?
The taskbar, File Explorer, and many desktop apps use Windows’ formats. Excel uses them for date cells formatted with the “*” system formats. Some apps and websites have their own date settings.
Troubleshooting
The format didn’t change in an app
Restart the app. Some apps read the format only at startup, and others ignore Windows settings entirely.
Change formats is greyed out
Work PCs may lock regional settings through Group Policy.
I want to go back to the defaults
In intl.cpl > Additional settings, click Reset, or pick your region’s defaults in Settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I use the ISO date format (YYYY-MM-DD)?
Choose yyyy-MM-dd in Short date, or type it as a custom format in intl.cpl.
Does this change the date format for other users?
No. Regional formats are per user account.
Summary
- Go to Settings > Time & language > Language & region > Regional format > Change formats.
- Pick new Short date and Long date formats.
- Use
intl.cplfor custom patterns likeddd yyyy-MM-dd. - Adjust time format and seconds display as needed.
Kermit Matthews runs Live2Tech from just outside Philadelphia. He started on a university help desk, spent years as the IT person for small businesses, and has been writing tech guides full time since 2020. Each guide is checked on a device he owns, and re-checked when a menu moves. More about Kermit.