How to Change the Military Time Clock on a Taskbar

Many of the world's clocks display the time in the 24-hour format.

The Windows operating system can be configured to match the local date and time conventions used in virtually any part of the world. This includes setting the taskbar clock to display the time in the 24-hour (military) format for nations that do not employ a 12-hour clock such as the one that citizens of the United States are accustomed to. If you have purchased a computer with localization settings for a different part of the world, you may find that the taskbar clock displays the time in the 24-hour military format. Use the date and time settings in Windows to change the clock from military time to the 12-hour format.

Instructions

Windows 2000

1. Click the "Start" button, and then click "Settings" and "Control Panel."

2. Double-click "Regional Options."

3. Click the "Time" tab. Currently, the time format will be displayed in a format similar to "H:mm:ss." The capital "H" signifies a 24-hour clock. Change it to a lowercase "h," which signifies a 12-hour clock.

4. Click "OK" to save the change.

Windows XP, Vista and 7

1. Click the "Start" button, and then click "Control Panel."

2. Double-click "Regional and Language Options" in Windows XP and Vista or "Region and Language" in Windows 7. If you do not see this Control Panel item, click the "Classic View" link on the left side of the window if you are running Windows XP and Vista, or click the "View by" drop-down menu at the top of the window if you are running Windows 7, and select "Small icons."

3. Use the drop-down menu at the top of the window to select "English (United States)" or the location where you reside. Doing this automatically changes the system clock to the 12-hour format.

4. Click "OK" to save the change.

References

• Windows XP Professional Product Documentation: Regional and Language Options Overview