How to Change Time Format to 12/24 Hour Format In Windows 11

With the launch of Windows 11 came many changes, for example, the new Start menu, all new Settings app, Android support and more. At the same time, Windows 11 comes with the default date and time format based on your region that’s set during the Windows 11 setup. However, with all the new changes in the new OS, users are a bit baffled and finding it difficult to change the time format to 12 or 24 hour format.

In Windows 11, you can choose to change the regional format to any other region that can automatically align the date or time with the OS and certain apps. Alternatively, you can also manually set the regional formats as per your requirement. In this post, we will guide you through the process to change the time format to 12 or 24 hours in your Windows 11 PC. Let’s see how:

 

Method 1: By Changing the Format Manually

 

This method helps you to manually modify the time along with the dare, calendar and even the first day of the week one by one, with no impact on any of the parameters. You can even change the individual date and time formats, while ignoring the regional format. Follow the below instructions to change the time format to 12 or 24 hours:

 

Step 1: Press the Win + I keys together on your keyboard to open the Settings app.

Step 2: In the Settings window, click on Time & language on the left side of the pane.



 

Settings Time Language

 

Step 3: Now, navigate to the right side and click on Language & region.

 

Time Language Settings Language Region

 

Step 4: In the next screen, on the right side, scroll down and click on the Regional format section.

Now, click on the Change formats button below it.

 

Regional Format Change Formats Min

 

Step 5: Now, go to the Short time field and click on the drop-down next to it.

Select the time format with AM or PM to set it as per 12 hour format.

 



Regional Format Short Time Select 12 Or 24 Hour Format

 

Step 6: For the 24 hour format, select the time format with no AM or PM next to it.

 

Regional Format Short Time Select 24 Hour Format

 

Now, you have successfully changed the time format to 12 hour or 24 hour format in Windows 11.

 

Method 2: By Changing the Regional Format in the Settings App

 

As you change the regional format, it will automatically apply the changes to the Windows and the programs that use the same regional format and they will use the date and time based on the changed format. Follow the below instructions to change the regional format (date and time) that will be in sync with your current country or region:

 

Step 1: Right-click on the Start menu and select Settings.

 

Start Right Click Settings

 

Step 2: In the Settings window, click on the Time & language option on the left side of the pane.

 

Settings Time Language 1

 

Step 3: Now, on the right side, click on Language & region.

 

Time Language Settings Language Region

 

Step 4: Next, on the right side, scroll down and under the Region section, go to Regional format and click on the drop-down below it.

Select your preferred region from the list.

 

Region Regional Format Select Region From Drop Down

 

Once you have changed the regional format, you should relaunch any open apps for the formatting changes to be effective. However, the date and time is immediately effective and should be seen on the taskbar of your Windows 11 PC.

Method 3: Through Control Panel

 

This is the times tested method and has been in use since the previous version of Windows. Here’s how to change the time format using the Control Panel:

 

Step 1: Press the Win +R keys together on your keyboard to open the Run command window.

Step 2: In the Run command window, type control.exe in the search bar and hit Enter to open the Control Panel.

 

Run Command Control.exe Enter

 

Step 3: In the Control Panel window, go to the upper right side and select Category from the drop-down menu next to it.

Now, click on Clock and Region in the list.

 



Control Panel View By Category Clock And Region Min

 

Step 4: Next, in the Clock and Region window, click on Region on the right side.

 

Clock And Region Region

 

Step 5: Now, in the Region dialogue box, under the Formats tab, go to the Date and time formats section.

Here, go to the Short time field and from the drop-down, select the 12 or 24 hour format based on your requirement.

For instance, if you want to select a 24 hour format, you can select HH:mm format or h:mm tt for 12 hour format.

Press Apply and then OK to save the changes and exit.

 

Region Formats Tab Short Time Select Format From Drop Down Apply Ok Min

 

*Note – Similarly, you can change the Long time field based on your needs. For 24 hour format, select HH:mm:ss and for 12 hour format, select h:mm:ss tt.

So, that is how you change the time format to 12 or 24 hour format on your Windows 11 PC.