How to Create and Read QR Codes in Windows

With the constantly expanding diversity of commercial objects, it gets more difficult to track every single one of them. This is where barcodes come in handy and serve as the ID of any product. Special programs are required to create one, as well as dedicated devices to read them.

One type of code in particular managed to quickly gain popularity, namely the QR Code. Given the right computer applications, you can create and read these codes without the need of any special devices. Here’s what you need to install.

Creating a QR Code

Step 1: Download, install, and run QRGen.

Step 2: Select the type of code you want to make. You can choose from Text, URL, SMS, E-Mail, Phone, Contact, Wi-Fi, Geo Tag, and BlackBerry Messenger PIN.

Step 3: Fill in the requirement fields in the right pane.

Step 4 (optional): Set quality, margin, and pixel size.

Step 5: Hit the Generate QR Code button.

Step 6: Choose whether to save as BMP or PNG.

Reading from file

Step 1: Download, install, and run CodeTwo QR Code Desktop Reader.

Step 2-a: Choose to load From file and navigate to the location of the code.

OR:

Step 2-b: Select From screen and drag a box over the code that appears on your screen.

Step 3: Copy to clipboard or Save to file. The output is a plain TXT file.

Reading from a webcam

Note: You need Adobe AIR for this to properly work.

Step 1: Download, install, and run QReader.

Step 2: Hold the QR Code still for a few seconds in front of a connected webcam.

Step 3 (optional): Press the gear button to make the program Open URLs Automatically.