Ever noticed that the date on your Windows 11 PC looks different from what you’re used to? Maybe it shows MM/DD/YYYY (like 08/28/2025) but you prefer DD/MM/YYYY, or perhaps you want to include the day of the week. The good news is that Windows 11 lets you fully customize the date format to match your preference.
In this guide, we’ll walk through different ways to change the date format in Windows 11, step by step.
Why Change the Date Format?
Changing the date format can make your PC more convenient and user-friendly. Some reasons include:
- Regional preferences (e.g., US uses MM/DD/YYYY, while most other countries use DD/MM/YYYY).
- Clarity (avoiding confusion between day and month).
- Professional formatting (customized for business reports).
- Personal style (maybe you like seeing the weekday displayed).
Method 1: Change Date Format via Settings
This is the easiest method and works for most users.
Steps:
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Go to Time & language → Language & region.
- Scroll down and click Regional format.
- Under Regional format settings, click Change formats.
- Customize your date format:
- Short date → e.g., 8/28/2025 or 28/08/2025.
- Long date → e.g., Thursday, August 28, 2025.
✅ Your new date format will apply immediately across apps and the taskbar.
Method 2: Change Date Format Using Control Panel
The Control Panel offers more advanced date customization.
Steps:
- Press Windows + S, type Control Panel, and open it.
- Select Clock and Region → Region.
- In the Formats tab, click Additional settings….
- Switch to the Date tab.
- Modify formats:
- Short date → choose between
MM/dd/yyyy,dd/MM/yyyy, etc. - Long date → customize as
dddd, MMMM dd, yyyy.
- Short date → choose between
- Click Apply → OK.
Method 3: Change Date Format with Registry Editor (Advanced Users)
⚠️ This is more technical and should be used only if you’re comfortable editing the registry.
Steps:
- Press Windows + R, type
regedit, and press Enter. - Navigate to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\International - Look for these entries:
sShortDate→ controls short date format.sLongDate→ controls long date format.
- Double-click the entry and enter your preferred format (e.g.,
dd-MM-yyyy). - Restart your PC to apply changes.
Method 4: Change Region Settings
Sometimes, Windows automatically applies the date format based on your region.
Steps:
- Go to Settings → Time & language → Language & region.
- Under Country or region, select your preferred region.
- Windows will automatically apply the region’s default date format.
👉 For example:
- United States → MM/DD/YYYY
- United Kingdom → DD/MM/YYYY
Examples of Custom Date Formats
Here are some format codes you can use:
- dd/MM/yyyy → 28/08/2025
- MM-dd-yyyy → 08-28-2025
- dddd, MMMM dd, yyyy → Thursday, August 28, 2025
- yy/MM/dd → 25/08/28
Tips for Choosing the Best Date Format
- If you share files internationally, use
yyyy-MM-ddfor clarity. - For personal use, pick what feels most natural.
- If you work in finance or business, align with your company’s standard.
Conclusion
Changing the date format in Windows 11 is simple and gives you more control over how information appears on your PC. Whether you use Settings, Control Panel, Registry Editor, or region settings, you can make your date display exactly the way you like.
So, go ahead—customize your date format today and make your Windows 11 experience a little more personal and practical.
FAQs
1. Can I show the day of the week in the taskbar date?
Yes, by using a long date format like dddd, MMMM dd, yyyy.
2. Will changing the date format affect apps like Excel?
Yes, most apps follow the system’s regional settings, including Excel.
3. Can I use custom date formats in Windows 11?
Yes, via Control Panel or Registry Editor, you can enter custom patterns.
4. What’s the default date format in Windows 11?
It depends on your region. For the US, it’s MM/DD/YYYY.
5. Do I need to restart my PC after changing the format?
For Settings or Control Panel, no restart is needed. For Registry changes, yes.