Read QR codes with a Windows PC or notebook - how it works

QR code readers for smartphones have been around for a long time. However, hardly any QR codes are read on a PC. But what to do if QR codes appear in an email on your computer? We will show you which software you can use to decode the codes on your notebook.

Read QR codes on a Windows computer

1. Download the free program "CodeTwo QR Code Desktop Reader" from the manufacturer's website.
2. Start the file and follow the installation instructions. After installation, the program starts automatically.
3. Open the e-mail or the website with the QR code, switch back to the program you just installed and click on the "From Screen" button above. If you don't have a QR code at the moment, you can use the code on the screenshot to test it.
4. The program then minimizes and the screen turns slightly gray. You can now drag a box around the QR code with the left mouse button pressed and then release it.
5. The program opens again and reads the QR code. The decrypted text is then displayed below the code (see picture).
6. You can also use the "From File" button to import a saved image file into the program if you have the QR code as an image on your computer.

In this practical tip, you can read what exactly a QR code is and how it works.