How to get the Japanese date format in my Brazilian-Portuguese Windows 11

Windows can use the Japanese-style order yyyy/MM/dd through regional format settings, but File Explorer and the taskbar use the same system-wide short date format. Windows does not support a separate date format just for File Explorer sorting or display.

On Windows 11, set the regional format first:

1. Open Settings with Windows key + I.
2. Go to Time & language > Language & region.
3. Under Regional format, choose the format needed for the preferred date style.

For a more exact date format, open the classic Region settings:

1. In Language & region, under Related settings, select Administrative language settings.
2. In the Region dialog, on the Formats tab, select Additional settings.
3. Open the Date tab.
4. Set the short date format to the preferred year-first pattern.
5. Select OK.

A direct way to open the same dialog is:

1. Press Windows key + R.
2. Type intl.cpl and press Enter.

If the goal is specifically the Japanese calendar format, Windows documentation shows this setup:

1. Open intl.cpl.
2. Set Format to Japanese (Japan).
3. Select Additional settings.
4. On the Date tab, set Calendar type to 和暦.
5. Select OK.

Important limitation: File Explorer does not have its own independent date format setting. It follows the same system short date setting used elsewhere in Windows.

For sorting in File Explorer, the most reliable behavior comes from using file names in year-first order such as 2025-11-12, because that sorts correctly alphabetically and chronologically. The context does not provide a supported Windows setting that changes Explorer to use a separate custom sort rule for displayed dates.

• Prepare your application for the Japanese era change
• [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/access/change-the-windows-regional-settings-to-modify-the-appearance-of-some-data-types-in-access-databases)
• Different date formats for File Explorer and Task Bar - Microsoft Q&A