To show seconds on the Windows 11 taskbar clock, open Settings > Time & language > Date & time, turn on and expand Show time and date in the System tray, then check Show seconds in system tray clock (uses more power). These steps use Windows 11 menus, with a separate route for older Settings layouts.
The short version
- Main setting: Enable the seconds checkbox under Show time and date in the System tray.
- Quick access: Right-click the taskbar clock and select Adjust date and time.
- Older layout: Find the checkbox under Taskbar behaviors.
- Power use: Microsoft labels the seconds setting as using more power.
| Method | Where to go | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Windows Settings | Time & language > Date & time | Adds seconds to the native clock |
| Clock context menu | Adjust date and time | Opens the same clock settings |
| Run command or shortcut | ms-settings:dateandtime | Opens the page directly |
| Older Settings layout | Taskbar behaviors | Provides the checkbox on older builds |
| Clock visibility policy | Remove Clock from the system notification area | Restores a clock hidden by policy |
| Notification Center | Show time in the Notification Center | Displays seconds above the calendar |
| Voice access | Numbered controls in Settings | Operates the checkbox by voice |
| Windhawk | Taskbar Clock Customization | Adds seconds and custom clock formats |
| ExplorerPatcher | System tray | Adds seconds to its replacement taskbar |
| RetroBar | Notification area > Clock | Configures its replacement taskbar clock |
| 1st Clock | Appearance > Clocks | Adds seconds through clock formatting controls |
Turn on seconds in Settings
Press Windows + I to open Settings. Select Time & language, then select Date & time.
Turn on Show time and date in the System tray so the clock is visible, and expand that section if necessary. Check Show seconds in system tray clock (uses more power) to display seconds alongside the hours and minutes.
You can reach the same page from the clock itself. Right-click the taskbar clock and select Adjust date and time. Turn on and expand Show time and date in the System tray, then check Show seconds in system tray clock (uses more power).
The checkbox includes Microsoft's warning that displaying seconds uses more power. To stop showing them, return to the same setting and uncheck the box.
Open the clock settings with a command
Press Windows + R to open Run. Enter the following command, then press Enter:
ms-settings:dateandtimeThis opens Date & time, but it does not enable seconds automatically. Turn on and expand Show time and date in the System tray, then check Show seconds in system tray clock (uses more power). You can also use ms-settings:dateandtime as a Windows shortcut target to reopen this page.
Find the checkbox in an older Settings layout
If the checkbox is missing from Date & time, open Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors. Check Show seconds in system tray clock (uses more power) there.
Alternatively, right-click an empty area of the taskbar and select Taskbar settings. Expand Taskbar behaviors, then check Show seconds in system tray clock (uses more power). Microsoft documented this location for Windows 11 version 22H2, and builds that keep that older Settings layout show the control here.
Restore a clock hidden by policy
If a policy hides the clock, restore its visibility before enabling seconds. On editions with Group Policy management, including Pro, Enterprise and Education, open Group Policy Editor. Go to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar, then open Remove Clock from the system notification area.
Select Disabled or Not Configured, then select OK. After the policy takes effect, return to the Windows clock settings and enable the seconds checkbox. This policy restores the clock; it does not turn on seconds itself.
Show seconds when you open the calendar
For a larger clock with seconds above the calendar, open Settings > Time & language > Date & time. Turn on Show time in the Notification Center. Select the taskbar date and time, or press Windows + N, to open Notification Center.
This option displays seconds in the calendar flyout rather than continuously beside the taskbar icons. Microsoft began rolling out the feature to production Windows 11 installations in 2025. If the setting is absent, use the system tray seconds checkbox.
Turn on seconds with Voice access
To operate the setting by voice, open Settings > Accessibility > Speech and turn on the Voice access switch. Configure it in a supported language before continuing. Voice access works on Windows 11 22H2 and later.
With Voice access running, say Show numbers to display numbers beside the controls. Say Click three, replacing “three” with the displayed number for the control you need. Repeat these commands to open Settings > Time & language > Date & time.
Use the numbered controls to turn on and expand Show time and date in the System tray. Then select the unchecked Show seconds in system tray clock (uses more power) checkbox. You are using Voice access's general screen controls to operate the built-in setting. If a control has no number, use the Voice access grid overlay to move the pointer to it, then say Click.
Customize the clock with Windhawk
If you want custom formatting alongside seconds, install Windhawk from its official website. Open Explore and find Taskbar Clock Customization. Select Install, then select Accept risk and install.
Open the mod's Settings tab and enable Show seconds. For a simple 24-hour clock, set Time format to HH':'mm':'ss and Top line to %time%. Select Save settings.
The mod supports Windows 11 and modifies the taskbar clock. Compatibility depends on your Windows build, so check the mod's compatibility information if it stops working after an update.
Show seconds on a replacement taskbar
If you use ExplorerPatcher, its seconds control requires its Windows 10-style taskbar implementation on your Windows 11 PC. Open the developer's official repository and follow its Releases link. Choose the installer matching your processor architecture, then follow the repository's installation instructions for a compatible current release.
Right-click the taskbar and select Properties. Under Taskbar > Taskbar style, select Windows 10 (ExplorerPatcher) on newer Windows versions. Open System tray, check Show seconds in the clock, then select Restart File Explorer.
If that option is unavailable, check which taskbar implementation you selected. ExplorerPatcher restricts this seconds setting to its Windows 10-style taskbar. Its supported-build information does not guarantee compatibility with every Windows cumulative update.
RetroBar is another replacement taskbar with its own clock controls. Obtain it from the developer's official GitHub Releases page, then install and run it. Right-click its taskbar, select Properties, and open Notification area > Clock.
Check Show the clock, then uncheck Custom clock format: if it is selected. Check Show seconds in the clock. If the seconds checkbox is disabled, the custom format option is still enabled.
For a custom 24-hour display instead, select Custom clock format: and enter HH:mm:ss in its format field. With a custom format enabled, that format controls whether seconds appear. RetroBar notes that custom clock formatting may not work as expected if your selected theme specifies its own format.
Set up seconds in 1st Clock
Obtain the current 1st Clock trial from the vendor's official download page and install it. The vendor advertises Windows 11 taskbar support for version 5.2. Once you have its options window open, you can configure seconds through simple controls or a custom format.
In 1st Clock options..., select Appearance > Clocks and select the clock you want to configure. Open Format > Simple, check Time, then check Seconds. Select OK.
Alternatively, open Format > Advanced, enter HH:mm:ss in the format field, and select OK. If your changes disappear between sessions, the trial does not preserve changed settings. The vendor's Windows 11 support claim does not include a release-by-release compatibility matrix.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need to edit the registry to show seconds?
No, you can use the built-in Windows checkbox. Microsoft does not document direct registry configuration as a supported seconds method across current Windows 11 releases.
Should you install ElevenClock for taskbar seconds?
Choose the built-in Windows setting instead. ElevenClock's developer archived the repository on September 10, 2025, so it is no longer a maintained option.
Can you show taskbar seconds on Windows 11 Home?
Yes, the built-in seconds setting applies to Windows 11 Home as well as Pro, Enterprise and Education. You do not need to upgrade your edition to use it.
Can you open the Notification Center clock from a second monitor?
Yes, Microsoft documents opening it from secondary-monitor clocks on installations with the feature. Select the date and time on that monitor to open the flyout.
Do you need to install the .NET Desktop Runtime separately for RetroBar?
The RetroBar installer handles the required .NET Desktop Runtime when necessary. If you use that installer, you do not need a separate runtime installation step.