How to Show the Date and Time on Your Windows 10 Desktop
Want the date and time to appear right on your desktop? No worries — it’s a common request, especially with smartphones constantly flashing notifications. Luckily, adding that info to your Windows 10 desktop is straightforward. Just a few clicks and voilà! The date and time will be staring back at you. This little tweak can save you from constantly reaching for your phone and help keep you organised, especially if you’re working from home.
Start by Right-Clicking the Taskbar
First up, head to the taskbar at the bottom of your screen. Right-click anywhere on it — anywhere will do. A menu will pop up with all sorts of options. This is your control centre for customizing how your taskbar looks and behaves. If you’re feeling efficient, you can press Windows key + B to jump straight into the notification area, then hit Enter or right-click — quick and easy for those who like to get things done swiftly.
Find “Taskbar Settings”
Next, look for “Taskbar settings” in that menu. Click it and a new window will open up. Don’t worry if it feels like a lot — focus on the sections about system icons and notification area options. That’s where the magic happens. You can also get there faster by typing “Taskbar settings” into the search box if you’re in a hurry.
Explore Notification Area Settings
In that settings window, scroll down until you see “Notification area.” This is where icons like volume, network, and of course, the clock live. Clicking on it reveals more options for what appears on your taskbar. You can personalise which icons stay or go — easy as pie.
Another way to manage visible icons is by clicking “Select which icons appear on the taskbar.” It’s very handy for tailoring things to your liking.
Activate the Clock Icon
Here’s the crucial step. Find “Turn system icons on or off” and give it a click. You’ll see a list of icons with toggle switches. Make sure the clock is switched to “On” — without this, no matter what else you do, the time won’t show. This toggle controls whether the clock appears on your taskbar, so keep it switched on.
You can also verify this via: Settings > Personalisation > Taskbar > Turn system icons on or off.
Ensure the Clock is Visible
Final piece of the puzzle: find “Clock” in that list and switch it to “On.” If all goes smoothly, the current date and time should pop up near the system tray. This is the essential step — without it, everything else is pointless. Once set up, you won’t need to keep reaching for your phone — just a quick glance at the taskbar will do the trick. Trust us, many users swear by it — it’s a real time-saver.
If you’d like to change how the date and time look, head over to Settings > Time & Language > Date & Time and click on “Change date and time formats.”
Tips for Customising Your Date and Time Display
Got the clock showing but want to make it uniquely yours? Here’s the fun part. First, check that your time zone setting is correct at Settings > Time & Language > Time zone. This is especially important if you travel or work with colleagues across different regions. You can also switch between 12-hour and 24-hour formats — whatever suits your style.
If you’re a stickler for precise timing, you can enable “Show seconds” by editing the Registry. Open Regedit.exe and navigate to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
Then, create or edit the DWORD value named ShowSecondsInSystemClock and set it to 1. It’s a bit geeky, but it works a charm.
Working across different time zones? No worries! Go to Control Panel > Clock and Region > Date and Time and select the Additional Clocks tab. You can add extra clocks for other regions, which will then appear when you hover over the system tray clock — a handy feature for international teams.
And don’t forget — keep your Windows up to date by visiting Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. Outdated software can cause clock discrepancies, so staying current keeps everything running smoothly.
Common Questions About Windows 10 Clock Settings
How do I change the clock format on my desktop?
To adjust the clock’s appearance, go to Settings > Time & Language > Date & Time. Click on Change date and time formats and customise how it looks — whether you want day names, 12-hour or 24-hour formats, and more.
What if the date and time aren’t showing on my taskbar?
If the clock isn’t showing up, it’s probably because the system icon has been turned off. Check under “Turn system icons on or off” in Settings > Personalisation > Taskbar. Sometimes, a quick restart (Ctrl + Alt + Del > choose Restart) can fix display issues. Still no luck? Double-check your settings or run Windows Update — sometimes the solution is just a reboot away.
Can I change how the date and time look?
Absolutely! You can tweak the format via Settings > Time & Language > Date & Time. Look for “Change date and time formats” to adjust details like day names, separators, and more.
My clock shows the wrong time. What should I do?
If your clock isn’t showing the right time, it’s usually the time zone setting — so double-check that first. Head to Settings > Time & Language > Date & Time and make sure your Time zone matches your location. To sync your clock with the internet, toggle on “Set time automatically” and click Sync now. Easy fix.
Can I set multiple clocks for different locations?
Absolutely. Just go to Control Panel > Clock and Region > Date and Time. Click on the Additional Clocks tab, tick “Show this clock,” select your desired time zones, and give each a name if you like. These clocks will then appear when you hover over or click the system tray clock, which is perfect for coordinating with global teams.
Quick Checklist to Get Your Clock Displayed
- Right-click the taskbar and select options.
- Open “Taskbar settings”.
- Review “Notification area” options.
- Click “Turn system icons on or off”.
- Switch the clock toggle to “On”.
Getting your date and time out there on Windows 10 is a straightforward way to boost productivity. With a few tweaks — enabling icons and adjusting formats — you’ll have that info front and centre, making your desktop more efficient. It’s a small change, but one that can make a big difference in your daily routine. Once set up, you’ll wonder how you ever got by without it.