How to scan a QR code on a Windows PC
With a webcam, open the Windows Camera app in barcode mode. For a QR code in an image or on a web page, use an online scanner that reads files.
Updated September 24, 2026
Method 1: the Camera app
- Open Camera from the Start menu.
- Switch to Barcode mode (in recent versions, an icon next to Photo and Video).
- Hold the QR code up to the webcam: the content shows with a link to open.
If the mode is missing, update Camera from the Microsoft Store. On some versions it has to be enabled in the app settings, under experimental features.
Method 2: a QR code in an image or on screen
The most common case on a computer: the code sits in a PDF, an email or a web page. Capture it with Windows + Shift + S, save it, then drop it into the QRTada online scanner. Decoding happens in the browser, nothing is uploaded.
In Microsoft Edge, right-clicking an image offers a visual search that often detects QR codes. In Chrome, "Search image with Google" opens Lens with the same result.
Method 3: your phone, linked to the PC
With Phone Link, a paired Android phone shares its photos with the PC. Scan the code with the phone and open the link on the computer if you prefer the big screen: copy and paste is enough.
Windows 10, Windows 11 and Surface tablets
The Camera app's barcode mode arrived in Windows 10 through an app update and carried over to Windows 11. On a company-managed PC, your administrator may have disabled it: use an image instead. On a Surface tablet, use the rear camera, which is sharper and focuses better than the front one. A USB barcode scanner also reads QR codes if it supports 2D: it "types" the code content into whatever field has the cursor, handy for logging serial numbers in bulk.
In Outlook or Teams, a QR code received as an attachment saves like any image: right-click, Save as, then drop the file into the online scanner. Do not open a code from an unknown sender straight away: QR phishing heavily targets work inboxes, precisely because many email filters do not read images.
Getting a webcam to read codes
| Factor | Tip |
|---|---|
| Distance | 6 to 12 inches for a 1 to 2 inch code |
| Light | Light the code from the front, avoid a bright window behind it |
| Focus | Many webcams have fixed focus: move back if the image is blurry |
| Phone screen | Turn brightness up and disable the app's dark mode |
When nothing works
- Check camera access: Settings, Privacy and security, Camera, access allowed for the app.
- Close other apps using the webcam (video calls).
- Use an image instead: the online scanner does not need a webcam.
- Test the code with the checker: if it is unreadable, no device will read it.
On a Mac the steps are different: see the Mac guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can Windows read QR codes without software?
Yes, with the Camera app and a webcam, on recent versions of Windows 10 and 11.
How do I read a QR code in a PDF on a PC?
Capture that area of the screen, then drop it into an online scanner that reads images.
My PC has no webcam. What can I do?
Use an image of the code with an online scanner, or your phone.
Are online QR scanners safe?
Prefer ones that decode in the browser without uploading your image, like QRTada's.
Can a retail barcode scanner read QR codes?
Yes if it supports 2D codes. It types the code content into the active field, like a keyboard.
Sources
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