While Quick Response, or QR, codes aren't as prevalent as they once were, they can still prove handy in certain situations, say, scanning a two-factor authentication profile. If you have an Android device, you'll need to download an app to take advantage of QR codes, but for iPhone and iPad users, that functionality is built right in.

In the latest version of Windows 10, Microsoft is set to roll out a QR code to its infamous Blue Screen of Death.

Do you need to quickly create a QR code? We've shown you how you can use goo.gl to make QR codes in a jiffy, but Make Tech Easier's trick is the fastest method we've seen yet.

Using a to-do list is boring. You might enjoy making the list itself, but when you need to choose an item to do, you're faced with a daunting page of text. If you want to forego the dull and standard structure, here's a system that will bring a little fun to your task management.

iOS: Scanning QR codes with your iPhone should be a simple affair, but even our favorite app for the job has added a signup process and other features that aren't really necessary. QR Code Simple offers only what you need to scan codes without pointless additions.

As one of the three big retailers running toy sales right now, Big W expects to sell around 3.5 million toys over the next fortnight. How does it use technology to make that happen, and how does it ensure that its online store doesn't crash under the weight of demand?

QR Codes are everywhere - shop fronts, magazine covers, street ads, billboards, sides of busses, conferences and tradeshows. Wherever you turn it's likely that you'll see what looks like a cubist barcode. We take a look at QR Code readers for the major smartphone platforms.

If you ever want to log into your Google account when you're at a public computer, where you're unsure whether or not there's a keylogger installed, there's now a solution. And it's from Google!

Losing your keys can be a terrible experience and while the best plan of attack is to retrace your steps, blogger celtwolf wanted a little more insurance, so he created a QR code for his keychain with his phone number on it.

Boxmeup is a new web app and companion Android app that lets you pack a box, or container with items, enter the contents of that container into the web app, and then print a QR code for it that can be used with your phone to pull up a list of its contents at any time.

Android: If you want to share your Wi-Fi network with other Android users without having to give out your WPA passcode, you can use the previously mentioned Wifi Joiner app which generates a QR code for your network, but that requires the other user to have Wifi Joiner installed too. Another QR network option is to use Barcode Scanner, which is a more versatile app. Here's how.

When moving or just organising, QR codes are great to quickly find what items are in your boxes. Boxmeup takes this up a level by combining their QR generator with an online list of the items in your boxes. You can even search your account on the site and find out what box you left your snorkelling gear in.

QR codes have loads of handy uses -- but like almost everything else in technology, they can also be exploited by the nasty-minded for their own evil schemes. Anti-malware software developer AVG reminds us that scanning a QR code onto your phone when you're not sure of the provenance can be a risky business.

Android: Want a simpler way to allow others to join your Wi-Fi network, without having to give out your WPA code? Wifi Joiner creates a QR code for your network that the other user can scan to easily connect to your wireless network.

There are a ton of QR code scanners for iPhone so it almost seems silly to highlight one above the rest, but if you've gone through a bunch of them you know they're not all made equal. Scan is great because you launch it, it's immediately in scanning mode, and it can pick up a code within seconds. There is no BS — it just does its job.

The next time you plan a party or other social event, you may want to try using a combination of Dropbox and QR codes to get attendees to share their photos online.

QR codes, or "Quick Response" 2D bar codes created to be scanned in with your mobile device, have been popping up in mainstream locations for a while now. These codes can be attached to anything from a movie poster to a drink can, and using this trick you can now easily addone to your Wordpress (or any other) blog.

Windows/Linux/iOS: Ever wish you could scan QR codes and other barcodes from your computer, without pulling out your phone? (Maybe you miss your old CueCat?) ZBar is a simple cross-platform tool that scans barcodes from images and webcams.

If you're looking for a simple way to share your virtual life in a compact package, JumpScan packs a miniature profile into a QR code; easily share contact information and links to social networks with a simple smartphone scan.