The decimal separator is a crucial element in numerical data representation, as it distinguishes the integer part from the fractional part of a number. Different regions use different symbols for the decimal separator; for instance, the United States uses a period (.) while many European countries use a comma (,). In a Windows environment, it is essential to configure the decimal separator correctly to ensure data consistency and avoid errors in numerical computations and data processing.

This article will guide you through the process of changing the decimal separator in Windows. This adjustment is particularly important for users who work with international data or need to comply with regional formatting standards.

Examples:

1. Changing Decimal Separator via Control Panel:

a. Open the Control Panel:

   - Press `Win + R`, type `control`, and press Enter.



b. Navigate to "Clock and Region":

   - Click on "Clock and Region" and then "Region".



c. Modify the Format:

   - In the "Region" dialog box, click on the "Formats" tab and then click the "Additional settings..." button.



d. Change the Decimal Symbol:

   - In the "Customize Format" dialog box, under the "Numbers" tab, you will see a field labeled "Decimal symbol". Change this to your desired symbol (e.g., from `.` to `,`).



e. Apply the Changes:

   - Click "Apply" and then "OK" to save your changes.

2. Changing Decimal Separator via PowerShell:

If you prefer using PowerShell, you can change the decimal separator by modifying the registry. Here’s how:



a. Open PowerShell as Administrator:

   - Press `Win + X` and select "Windows PowerShell (Admin)".



b. Execute the Following Command:

   ```powershell

   Set-ItemProperty -Path 'HKCU:\Control Panel\International' -Name 'sDecimal' -Value ','

   ```



This command sets the decimal separator to a comma. You can replace `','` with `'.'` if you want to set it to a period.

3. Verifying the Changes:

After making the changes, you can verify them by checking the "Region" settings in the Control Panel or by running a simple PowerShell script to display the current decimal separator:



```powershell

Get-ItemProperty -Path 'HKCU:\Control Panel\International' -Name 'sDecimal'

```



This command will show the current decimal separator setting.