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Set Military Time in Windows 8 & 10: Easy Steps

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Set Military Time in Windows 8 & 10: Easy Steps

This guide shows you how to switch your Windows 8 or Windows 10 computer from the standard 12-hour clock (with AM/PM) to a 24-hour military time format. You’ll change the time format in the system settings, and the change applies to the taskbar clock, lock screen, and calendar flyout. No additional software is needed.

What You’ll Need

  • A PC running Windows 8, Windows 8.1, or Windows 10.
  • Administrator access (you’ll need to be able to change system settings, though the standard user account usually works).

Step-by-Step

  1. Open the Control Panel. Press the Windows key, type Control Panel, and press Enter. In Windows 8, you can also swipe from the right edge and tap Search, then type Control Panel.
  2. Go to Region settings. In the Control Panel, click Clock, Language, and Region (if you’re in Category view) or Region (if you’re in Large/Small icons view).
  3. Open the Region dialog. Click Region (or Change date, time, or number formats). This opens the Region window.
  4. Click the “Formats” tab. It’s the first tab at the top of the Region window.
  5. Find the “Time” section. Look for the dropdown labeled Short time and Long time. These control how the time appears.
  6. Select the 24-hour format. For Short time, choose HH:mm (e.g., 14:30). For Long time, choose HH:mm:ss (e.g., 14:30:45). The exact options may vary slightly by language, but look for the ones that start with HH (capital H) rather than h (lowercase h).
  7. Apply the changes. Click Apply, then OK to close the dialog.
  8. Check the taskbar. The clock in the bottom-right corner should now display in 24-hour format. If it doesn’t update immediately, restart File Explorer or sign out and back in.

Common Mistakes

  • Choosing the wrong format code: Selecting hh (lowercase) instead of HH (uppercase) will keep the 12-hour format. hh means 12-hour, HH means 24-hour.
  • Only changing the short time: If you only change the short time, the long time (used in some apps and the lock screen) may still show 12-hour. Change both.
  • Forgetting to click Apply: If you just close the window without clicking Apply, the changes won’t take effect.
  • Editing the wrong region: If you have multiple regions configured, make sure you’re editing the one that’s currently in use (the one with “Current format” set to it).

Tips

  • Use the Settings app (Windows 10 only): You can also go to Settings > Time & Language > Region > Change data formats and set the time format there. It’s a faster route for Windows 10.
  • Custom formats: If you want a specific format like HH:mm with a colon, you can click Additional settings in the Region window and type your own format in the Time tab.
  • Restart File Explorer: If the clock doesn’t update, open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), find Windows Explorer, right-click it, and choose Restart.
  • Lock screen: The lock screen clock also follows the same format, so it will change too.

Troubleshooting

  • Clock still shows 12-hour: Double-check that you selected a format with HH (uppercase). If you’re using a custom format, ensure it uses HH for hours. Also, make sure you clicked Apply.
  • Change doesn’t stick after reboot: This can happen if a third-party app or a group policy overrides the setting. Check if you have any time-format utilities installed. In a corporate environment, your IT department may enforce a policy.
  • Only some apps show 12-hour: Some apps (like certain calendar apps) have their own time format settings. The system change affects the taskbar, lock screen, and most apps, but some may need their own settings adjusted.
  • Can’t find the Region settings: In Windows 8, the Control Panel is hidden. Press Windows + R, type intl.cpl, and press Enter to open the Region dialog directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this affect the time in all apps?

Most apps that use the system time format will switch to 24-hour. However, some apps (like certain email or calendar clients) have their own time display settings and may need to be changed individually.

Does this change the time zone?

No, changing the time format only affects how the time is displayed, not the actual time or time zone.

Can I use a 24-hour format with a leading zero for hours like 08:30?

Yes, the HH format includes a leading zero for hours before 10. If you want no leading zero (e.g., 8:30), you’d use H:mm (single H).

Why does my clock show “14:30” but the calendar flyout shows “2:30 PM”?

This can happen if the calendar flyout uses a different format setting. Check both the Short time and Long time settings—the calendar flyout often uses the long time.

Is there a way to switch back to 12-hour quickly?

Yes, just repeat the steps and select a format with h (lowercase) or hh (e.g., h:mm tt for 12-hour with AM/PM).

Does this work on Windows 11?

Yes, the process is very similar in Windows 11, though the Settings app path is slightly different. You can still use the Control Panel Region method described here.

Related

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.