Default system date behavior in Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 2000 (248142)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0
This article was previously published under Q248142

SUMMARY

The date format that you choose during the installation of the operating system cannot be changed or modified by editing the sShortDate parameter in the HKEY_USERS/.Default/Control Panel/International registry key or by using any other mechanism.

MORE INFORMATION

When a user logs on to the computer locally, the system reads the user's registry settings and uses the date format chosen for that user. This date format also applies to all the services installed on the system. When the user logs off the computer, the computer reverts to the default system date format.

Some programs have been updated for the year 2000 in such a way that there is no flexibility in how the program reads the system date format. These programs may not function correctly unless a user is left logged on to the local console on the computer.

If you do not wish to leave the user logged on then click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

242257 Short date format uses two-digit year instead of four-digit year in Windows NT 4.0

Please note that the default system date format differs from Windows NT 4.0 to Windows 2000:

Windows NT 4.0: m/d/yy Windows 2000: m/d/yyyy

For additional information about available date formats, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

241671 How to configure the short date format in Windows and Windows NT

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:1/4/2005
Keywords:kbenv kbinfo KB248142
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