QR Code Reader

[JohnGalt1717]

It would be really great to have a QR code reader built in. I envision to modes hooked to a hot key:

1. Turn on the camera on the device and allow any QR code to be held up to it and have it read it and go.
2. Screen snip like the built into screen snipping tool that allows you to drag a box around the QR code in question and have it read it from the snip taken.

This would be super powerful (and I think it should just be built into windows anyhow) and really help to use Windows desktop and do things like setup Wireguard, and interact with QR codes that are everywhere now.

[JohnGalt1717]

@Jay-o-Way I'd thinking both. #1 above is camera read like a phone, and #2 is snip a part of the screen that has a QR code on it, and have it read. (could also be from an image file I suppose)

I'm constantly encountering QR codes that are designed for phones, and it's a PITA to have to go through the process they give you for non-phones. It would be great to be able to just use the QR codes the same as a phone.

[Jay-o-Way]

Right. I think i was reading with my eyes closed or something. Sorry.

[JolyonJostar]

I draw a prototype

for scanning:
1.open a pic with QR code

2.press the shortcut key
3.scanner scan the hole screen

4.scanner find the QR code & analyze it

5.show the result and show "open" “copy” buttons

when multiple QR code on screen
1.show a button to choose which to show the result

2.show the result

[rollingmoai]

Are there already existing apps in Windows that implement this feature?

[crutkas]

built into Windows now in the camera app. (version 2022.2206.2.0)

https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2022/07/13/camera-app-refresh-and-media-player-update-for-windows-insiders/

[rollingmoai]

built into Windows now in the camera app. (version 2022.2206.2.0)

blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2022/07/13/camera-app-refresh-and-media-player-update-for-windows-insiders

@crutkas No, QR code snipping isn't implemented yet #4859 (comment).

[Jay-o-Way]

@crutkas That article (or others) doesn't mention anything about scanning the screen.
@rollingmoai It is already, actually:

(Windows 11 Pro, no insider/dev channel)

[Jay-o-Way]

@JolyonJostar are you still available?

[TheJoeFin]

I'd be willing to donate this project to PowerToys:
https://github.com/TheJoeFin/Simple-QR-Code-Maker

Built with WinAppSDK and WinUI3 to create and read QR Codes. It is more of a standalone tool like PowerRename, Image Resizer, Environment Variable editor etc. Not really a "utility component" like Text Extractor, Quick Accent, Awake, etc.

[crutkas]

Hi all, this is now built into Snipping tool. https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2024/05/09/snipping-tool-and-paint-updates-begin-rolling-out-to-windows-insiders/

We are also adding the ability to detect QR codes in screenshots so that you can easily follow the link on your PC. You will automatically see QR code detection appear when you enter Text Actions from Snipping Tool’s markup canvas.

Thanks everyone for the constant ask, this is where this feature should be built into and glad it finally is coming to you all.

[Yay295]

That's only for Windows 11 though isn't it?

[Jay-o-Way]

That's only for Windows 11 though isn't it?

Yes. Plus:

These features in Snipping Tool and Paint are beginning to rollout in these updates, so it may not be available to all Insiders in the Canary and Dev Channels just yet as we plan to monitor feedback and see how it lands before pushing them out to everyone.

[LoganDark]

@Jay-o-Way this doesn't solve the issue for anyone on older operating systems, or who don't use the latest unstable canary versions of Windows 11. Why can't Text Extractor have a simple QR code reader built into it? That would be perfect.

[Jay-o-Way]

Yes, and that is actually also what I meant to note, with my comment. Although I can image if that was not so clear.
So actually we "both" directed that towards @crutkas. I'll let him elaborate on the decision - if/when he feels like so.

[crutkas]

@LoganDark, one of the goals of PowerToys is an incubation system to drive power user scenarios back into Windows. A great suggestion would be filing a Windows Feedback request to have Snipping tool brought to Win10.

Sadly, simple is typically never 'simple' as well. For a QR system, is it pulling off a camera, screenshot, ... what library to use, the library adds even more weight to PowerToys as we are trying to put it on a diet ...

[LoganDark]

For a QR system, is it pulling off a camera, screenshot, ...

Text Extractor already exists. We already have an abundance of camera QR code readers, including the built-in Camera app. So all I'd really need is for the Text Extractor to be extended with QR code reading in addition to the OCR that it already does.

what library to use, the library adds even more weight to PowerToys as we are trying to put it on a diet

QR codes are fairly simple, I'd be surprised if it were over 50KB.