Making your Windows 10 computer display the time in a 12-hour format is a straightforward process. You’ll be navigating through the settings to adjust the time format to your preference. This quick guide will show you how to change your Windows 10 clock to a 12-hour format, step by step.
How to Set 12 Hour Clock in Windows 10
You’ll be modifying the time settings on your Windows 10 machine to switch the clock from a 24-hour format to a 12-hour format. This process involves accessing the Date & Time settings and adjusting the time format.
Step 1: Open Settings
Click on the Start menu and select the Settings gear icon.
Accessing the settings is your first step. The Start menu is located at the bottom left corner of your screen, and the gear icon should be easily recognizable.
Step 2: Navigate to Time & Language
In the Settings window, click on the ‘Time & Language’ option.
This section of the settings is where you can make changes to date, time, and language preferences on your computer.
Step 3: Select Date & Time
In the Time & Language menu, click on ‘Date & Time’ on the left sidebar.
This is the specific area where you’ll adjust your time settings. The sidebar is located on the left side of the Time & Language window.
Step 4: Click on Change Date and Time Formats
Scroll down to the bottom and click on ‘Change date and time formats’.
This option allows you to select different formats for how the date and time are displayed on your computer.
Step 5: Change the Short and Long Time Format
For both the ‘Short time’ and ‘Long time’ options, select the format that includes ‘hh:mm tt’ for the 12-hour format.
This is where you make the actual change to a 12-hour format. The ‘tt’ in the format indicates AM or PM.
Once you complete these steps, your Windows 10 clock should now display the time in a 12-hour format. You’ll see times like 1:00 PM instead of 13:00.
Tips for Setting 12 Hour Clock in Windows 10
- Restart Your Computer: Sometimes, changes may require a reboot to take effect fully.
- Check Regional Settings: Ensure your region is set correctly in ‘Time & Language’ as this can affect time formats.
- Use System Tray: After making changes, hover over the clock in your system tray to double-check the new time format.
- Sync with Internet Time: Ensure your clock is synced with an internet time server for accuracy.
- Date and Time Settings: Familiarize yourself with additional settings in ‘Date & Time’ for more customization options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if the time format doesn’t change?
Try restarting your computer. If that doesn’t work, double-check the settings to ensure you’ve selected the correct format.
Why is my time displayed incorrectly after changing the format?
Ensure your time zone is set correctly in the ‘Date & Time’ settings. Incorrect time zones can cause display issues.
Can I switch back to the 24-hour format later?
Yes, you can follow the same steps and select the 24-hour format options instead.
Do these changes affect all users on my computer?
Yes, changing the time format will affect all user accounts on the computer.
What does ‘hh:mm tt’ mean?
In this format, ‘hh’ represents hours, ‘mm’ represents minutes, and ‘tt’ indicates AM or PM.
Summary
- Open Settings
- Navigate to Time & Language
- Select Date & Time
- Click on Change Date and Time Formats
- Change the Short and Long Time Format
Conclusion
Switching your Windows 10 clock to a 12-hour format can help make timekeeping more intuitive, especially if you’re more accustomed to reading time this way. By following the steps outlined above, you can easily make this change in just a few minutes. Don’t forget to double-check your settings and restart your computer if necessary to ensure the changes take effect. If you run into any issues, the FAQs and tips sections should help troubleshoot common problems.
Staying informed about these small tweaks can make a big difference in your daily computer use. So, dive into your Windows 10 settings and make your clock display the way you prefer. For more handy tips and tricks, consider exploring other customization options within Windows 10.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.