How to Change the Date Format in Windows 11 to MM/DD/YYYY

To change the date format in Windows 11 to MM/DD/YYYY, go to Settings > Time & language > Language & region, expand Regional format, and select Change formats (called Date & time format on some versions). In the Short date list, pick the example with a two-digit month, two-digit day, and four-digit year, such as 04/05/2017. The taskbar clock and File Explorer switch to MM/DD/YYYY right away.

This guide covers the Settings method, what to do when MM/DD/YYYY isn’t in the list, a custom format in Control Panel, the format codes, a PowerShell option, and why some apps still show another format. Changing your own date format doesn’t need an administrator account.

How to Change the Date Format in Settings

1. Press Windows key + I to open Settings, then select Time & language.
2. Select Language & region.
3. Expand Regional format (click the row, not the drop-down inside it) and select Change formats or Date & time format. Expected result: the Change the date and time format page opens. On some builds you reach it from Time & language > Date & time instead.
4. Open the Short date list. Windows shows each option as an example date, so choose 04/05/2017 for MM/DD/YYYY.
5. Close Settings. Expected result: the taskbar shows today’s date as MM/DD/YYYY.

The same page has a Long date list, the First day of week, and the time formats. Those time lists are also where you set a 12-hour clock in Windows 11. To change the date or time itself, see how to change the date and time in Windows 11.

If MM/DD/YYYY Isn’t in the List

The Short date list only shows formats used by your current regional format. Countries such as the United Kingdom put the day first, so MM/DD/YYYY won’t appear. To fix it, either:

• Switch the regional format: on the Language & region page, use the Regional format drop-down to pick English (United States). This list only includes regional formats for languages you have installed, so add a language first if needed.
• Keep your region and set a custom format in Control Panel, as shown next. This keeps your currency and number formats unchanged.

How to Set a Custom Date Format in Control Panel

Use this if the format you want isn’t in the Settings list, or you want a different separator such as dashes.

1. Press Windows key + R, type intl.cpl, and press Enter. Expected result: the Region window opens on the Formats tab.
2. Select Additional settings, then open the Date tab.
3. In Short date, type MM/dd/yyyy. For dashes, type MM-dd-yyyy.
4. Select Apply, then OK. Expected result: the new format appears in the taskbar and in the Settings list.

Capital MM means the month, lowercase dd means the day, and yyyy is the four-digit year. Using lowercase mm by mistake shows minutes instead of the month.

Change the Date Format With PowerShell

Windows stores your short date format in the registry under your user account. This PowerShell command sets it to MM/DD/YYYY for the current user; sign out and back in if some apps don’t pick it up:

Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\Control Panel\International" -Name "sShortDate" -Value "MM/dd/yyyy"

IT admins can roll out the same sShortDate value to many PCs. For one PC, Settings or Control Panel is simpler.

Why Some Apps Still Show a Different Format

• Excel and Access: they use your Windows regional settings for default date display, as Microsoft explains for Access. A cell or field with its own format keeps that format.
• Websites and older apps: some use their own date settings and ignore Windows.
• Apps that were already open: close and reopen them after the change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my date show as DD/MM/YYYY?

Your regional format is set to a country that puts the day first, like the United Kingdom. Change the Short date format or the regional format with the steps above.

How do I go back to the original format?

Pick your country in the Regional format drop-down again. That resets the date formats to that region’s defaults.

Can I show the day of the week in the taskbar?

The taskbar uses the Short date. Add ddd to a custom Short date in Control Panel, such as ddd MM/dd/yyyy, to show “Wed 04/05/2017.”

How do I change the time or time zone?

Go to Settings > Time & language > Date & time. Microsoft’s date and time settings guide covers time zones and syncing the clock.

Using dates in a spreadsheet? Here’s how to calculate age from a birthdate in Excel.