6 Ways to Scan QR Codes on a Windows PC

Quick Tips

• To scan a QR code, open the Camera app on your Windows PC.
• If you see a QR code on Google Chrome, right-click on it and select Search Image With Google.
• You can also drag and drop an image onto Google Search to find information about the QR code.

Method 1: Using the Default Windows Camera App

Here’s how to use the Camera app to scan a QR code on your computer.

Step 1: Click the Start icon, type Camera, and click on Open in the result.

Step 2: Select the Barcode icon in the Camera app.

Step 3: Hold your QR code before your computer’s camera. It will take some time to analyze the QR code and display the relevant link.

Although the Windows Camera app can manage QR code scanning, it has some limitations. It won’t allow you to scan QR codes from images stored on your computer.

Also Read: How to fix Camera not working on Windows

Method 2: Scan the QR Code Using Google Lens in Chrome

If you browse a website with Google Chrome and you see a QR code, right-click it and choose Search image with Google from the options. 

Google Lens will now scan the QR code and show a side menu in your browser with info about that code. If it’s a web link, click on it to go to the website.

Also Read: How to create a QR Code for a video

Method 3: Scan QR Code From Existing Photo

Follow the steps below to scan the QR code saved on your computer:

Step 1: Launch the Chrome browser.

Step 2: Go to Google and press the Search by image button (the Google lens camera icon).

Step 3: Drag and drop the QR code you want to look for or upload it from your computer.

Step 4: Google will now scan the QR code and display results with information about it. You can click to visit the site if it’s a web link.

Method 4: Use an Online QR Scanning Service

You can quickly scan QR codes on your PC using an online service.

Step 1: Open the 4qrcode on your web browser and choose QR Code scanner in the navigation bar.

Step 2: Upload the QR code image and view the result next to it.

Also Read: How to generate QR codes in Microsoft Office using QR4Office

You can also scan a QR code live with the camera, and the results will appear in the box next to it. Furthermore, here are some more online QR code scanning services to consider:

1. ZXing Decoder Online
2. Web QR
3. Online QR Code Scanner 

Method 5: Use a Chrome Browser Extension

Let’s use one of the extensions named Right-click QRcode reader.

Step 1: Go to the Right-click QRcode reader extension and click on the Add to [Browser Name] button.

Step 2: Click on Add extension in the prompt displayed.

Step 3: Once added, you can visit any website with a QR code. Right-click on the QR code and choose read QR code from the options.

Now, you’ll see the information stored in the QR code. If it’s a web link, click on it to go to that website.

Method 6: Read QR Codes Using a Dedicated App on Windows

You can download an app on your Windows PC to scan QR codes.

Step 1: Open your web browser and visit CodeTwo.

Step 2: Download and install CodeTwo on your computer.

Step 3: Launch the app and look at the top left of the screen. You’ll see a menu with four options for scanning QR codes. You can choose any of them.

• From screen: It allows you to select a part of your screen and read any visible QR codes.
• From webcam: Use this to read a QR code using the camera on your laptop or computer.
• From file: This feature allows you to scan a QR code from an image you saved on your device.
• From clipboard: Allows you to read a QR code from the image you’ve copied to your clipboard.

Once the scanning is complete, the information will appear in the QR code text box at the bottom of the screen.

Furthermore, here are a few more suggestions for apps that allow you to scan QR codes on your Windows PC:

1. Codex – QR Reader & Generator
2. QR Code Scanner by Matthias Duyck
3. Simply QR by Meng Xuan XIa
4. QR Scanner+ // QR Code and Barcode Reader
5. Free QR Code Scanner