How to use friendly dates in File Explorer on Windows 10

On Windows 10, File Explorer always included the ability to show dates to identify when files and folders were created, modified, etc. However, dates were shown using the standard format, which can be a little bit tricky to decode at glance.

Starting with Windows 10 version 1903, File Explorer includes a new option to use friendly dates to show dates in a friendly conversational format. For example, “5 hours ago,” instead of “1/2/2019 1:15 PM.”

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to list files and folders using the friendly dates format options in File Explorer available starting with version 1903 (19H1).

• How to show friendly dates using Folders options
• How to show friendly dates using File Explorer options

How to show friendly dates using Folders options

To use the new conversational date format when using the “Details” view in File Explorer, use the steps:

1. Open File Explorer (Windows key + E).

2. Click on the View tab.

3. Click the Options button.

4. Click on the View tab.

   

5. Under the “Advanced settings” section, check the Use friendly dates option.

   

6. Click the Apply button.

7. Click the Ok button.

Once you’ve completed the steps, when using the “Details” view, the “Date modified” column and any other date column that you may be using will display dates using the new friendly format.

How to show friendly dates using File Explorer options

Alternatively, you can also switch to the friendly dates on Windows 10 using these steps:

1. Open File Explorer (Windows key + E).

2. Right-click one of the column headers.

3. Select the Use friendly dates option.

   

After completing the steps, dates will show with new friendly format.

If you don’t see these settings, it’s because you’re not running the version that supports this feature. The friendly dates format is available starting with Windows 10 version 1903 and later.