How to change date format on Windows 11

If your computer isn't showing the correct date format, you can use these instructions on Windows 11.

Windows 11 Regional format
Windows 11 Regional format / Image: Mauro Huculak
  • The easiest way to change the date format on Windows 11 is from Settings > Time & language > Language & region > Regional format, click “Change formats,” and choose the date settings.
  • Also, on Settings > Time & language > Language & region, you can use the “Regional format” to apply the date formats from a specific country.

On Windows 11, you can change the date formats in multiple ways, and in this guide, I will outline the steps to complete this configuration.

Although the operating system can adjust the formats automatically, depending on your location, during the initial setup after a clean installation, or while setting up a new computer, you can always change these settings to match your preferences, for example, from MM DD YYYY to DD MM YYYY.

In this guide, I will outline the steps to set your desired date format on Windows 11. (The method that uses Control Panel will also apply for devices running Windows 10.)

Change date format on Windows 11 from Settings

On Windows 11, you can use the Settings app to manually configure the date format or select the region to apply the correct settings.

Change format manually from Settings

To change the date format manually on Windows 11, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings on Windows 11.

  2. Click on Time & language.

  3. Click the Language & region page.

  4. Click the Regional format setting.

  5. Click the Change formats button.

    Change formats

  6. Select when the first day of the week should be with the “First day of week” setting.

  7. Choose the short date format in the Taskbar with the “Short date” setting.

    Windows 11 change date format

  8. Select the long date format with the “Long date” setting.

  9. (Optional) Choose the short time format with the “Short time” setting.

  10. (Optional) Select the long-time format with the “Long time” setting.

Once you complete the steps, the new format will apply to Windows 11.

Change format to specific country

To apply a date format for a specific country, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings.

  2. Click on Type & language.

  3. Click the Language & region page.

  4. Choose the country from the “Regional format” setting.

    Change date format based on region

After you complete the steps, the system will apply the specific country format.

Change date format on Windows 11 from Control Panel

It’s still possible to control the date formats from the Control Panel. This method offers the same experience as the Settings app but allows you to create and apply custom configurations.

Change format manually from Control Panel

To change the date format manually from the Control Panel, use these steps:

  1. Open Control Panel.

  2. Click on Clock and Region.

  3. Click the Region setting.

    Control Panel open Region settings

  4. Click the Formats tab.

  5. Choose the short date format in the Taskbar with the “Short date” setting.

    Control Panel change date format

  6. Select the long date format with the “Long date” setting.

  7. (Optional) Choose the short time format with the “Short time” setting.

  8. (Optional) Select the long-time format with the “Long time” setting.

  9. Select when the first day of the week should be with the “First day of week” setting.

  10. Click the Apply button.

  11. Click the OK button.

Once you complete the steps, similar to the Settings app, the new settings will apply to Windows 11.

Create custom format from Control Panel

To create a custom date format on Windows 11, use these steps:

  1. Open Control Panel.

  2. Click on Clock and Region.

  3. Click the Region setting.

    Control Panel open Region settings

  4. Click the Formats tab.

  5. Click the Additional settings button.

    Region additional settings

  6. Click the Date tab.

  7. Use the “Date formats” settings to create a custom format for short and long dates.

    Custom date formats

    Quick tip: You can also use the reset option to restore the default settings to your setup.
  8. Click the Apply button.

  9. Click the OK button.

After you complete the steps, the new date formats will apply to your setup.

It’s important to note that from the “Customize Format” applet, you can also create custom formats for time, currency, and numbers.

Change format to specific country

To use a date format for a specific region from the Control Panel, use these steps:

  1. Open Control Panel.

  2. Click on Clock and Region.

  3. Click the Region setting.

    Control Panel open Region settings

  4. Click the Formats tab.

  5. Choose the country from the “Format” setting.

    Control Panel country date formats

  6. Click the Apply button.

  7. Click the OK button.

Once you complete the steps, the date and time formats from that specific region will apply on Windows 11.

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].