How to show seconds in Taskbar clock on Windows 11

• To show seconds in the clock for Windows 11, open Settings > Time & language > Date & time, click the “Show time and date in the System tray” setting, and check the “Show seconds in system tray clock (use more power)” option.
• Alternatively, you can also have a full system clock with seconds in the Notification Center using the “Show time in Notification Center” option in the “Date & time” page.

UPDATED 12/3/2025: On Windows 11, you can show seconds in the System Tray clock available from the Taskbar. Although the ability to show seconds has always been present in some form through the System Tray and Notification Center, on Windows 11, Microsoft introduced a redesigned version of the Taskbar that removed many of the classic functionalities, including the option to show seconds. 

However, the company has reverted some of the original changes for the Taskbar, and it’s now bringing back seconds to the clock, among other classic functionalities, by placing an option in the “Taskbar” settings page. However, it’s important to note that Windows 11 will be relocating this option to the “Date & time” page in future updates.

In this guide, I will show you the steps to show seconds in the clock available in the Taskbar’s System Tray on Windows 11.

• Show seconds in the Taskbar clock on Windows 11
• Show seconds in the Notification Center clock on Windows 11

Show seconds in the Taskbar clock on Windows 11

To enable seconds in the Taskbar, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.

2. Click on Time & language.

3. Click the Date & time page.

4. Click the “Show time and date in the System tray” setting.

5. Check the “Show seconds in system tray clock (use more power)” option to enable the feature.

   

6. (Optional) Clear the “Show seconds in system tray clock (use more power)” option to disable the feature.

After you complete the steps, the Taskbar will show seconds for the clock on Windows 11.

In previous versions of the operating system, the option was available in Settings > Personalization > Taskbar, and under “Taskbar behaviors,” you would check the “Show seconds in system tray clock” option. However, that’s no longer the case in the latest version of Windows 11.

Show seconds in the Notification Center clock on Windows 11

To display the current time with seconds in the Notification Center, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings.

2. Click on Time & language.

3. Click the Date & time page.

4. Turn on the “Show time in Notification Center” toggle switch.

   

After you complete the steps, the next time you open the Notification Center, you will see time alongside seconds above the calendar interface.

Update December 3, 2025: This guide has been updated to ensure accuracy and reflect changes to the process.