> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.summerengine.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Windows Export Guide

> Step-by-step guide to exporting your game for Windows PCs

## Overview

Windows is the **largest PC gaming market**. This guide walks you through creating a Windows build of your game.

**Time to complete**: 10-15 minutes (first time)

<Info>
  Good news: Windows export is simpler than macOS! No bundle identifiers or code signing complexities (unless you want them).
</Info>

## Prerequisites

### Enable S3TC BPTC Texture Compression

Windows graphics cards use S3TC/BPTC texture compression.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Project Settings">
    Go to **Project → Project Settings** in the menu bar
  </Step>

  <Step title="Navigate to Textures">
    **Rendering → Textures → VRAM Compression**
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable S3TC BPTC">
    Toggle **Import S3TC BPTC** to **On**
  </Step>

  <Step title="Wait for Reimport">
    Summer will reimport all textures (1-5 minutes)

    Progress shown in bottom status bar. **Keep Summer open** during this.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  **Also releasing on Mac?** Enable **Import ETC2 ASTC** too. Both formats can coexist - just enable them both at once to avoid re-importing twice.
</Tip>

***

## Creating a Windows Export Preset

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Export Menu">
    Go to **Project → Export** in the menu bar
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add Windows Preset">
    Click **Add...** → Select **Windows Desktop**

    You'll see the Windows export configuration panel.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Settings">
    Windows is simpler than Mac - most defaults work fine!
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Recommended Settings

**Binary Format**:

* **Architecture**: `x86_64` ✅ (64-bit, modern Windows)
  * Don't use `x86_32` (32-bit) unless you have a specific reason
  * 64-bit supports more RAM and is standard for games

**Embed PCK**:

* **On** ✅ - Creates single `.exe` file (easier distribution)
* **Off** - Creates `.exe` + `.pck` file (slightly faster loading)

<Info>
  **For Steam and itch.io**: Use **Embed PCK: On** for single-file distribution. Players prefer downloading one file.
</Info>

**Debug Settings**:

* **Export Console Wrapper**:
  * **Debug Only** ✅ - Recommended for testing (shows console output in test builds)
  * **No** - For final release
  * **Debug and Release** - If you want console output in released game

**Application**:

* **Icon**: (Optional) Browse to a `.ico` file for your game's Windows icon
* **Company Name**: Your studio name
* **Product Name**: Your game's name
* **File Description**: Brief game description
* **Copyright**: Copyright text (e.g., "© 2024 Your Studio")

***

## Exporting Your Windows Game

<Steps>
  <Step title="Set Export Path">
    Click the folder icon next to **Export Path**

    Choose where to save (e.g., `C:\Users\YourName\Desktop\MyGame.exe`)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Export Project">
    Bottom right: **Export Project...**
  </Step>

  <Step title="Wait for Export">
    Takes 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Progress bar shows status.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Done!">
    Your Windows game is ready!
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Testing Your Windows Build

### Test on Your PC First

1. Navigate to export location
2. Double-click `MyGame.exe`
3. **If Windows Defender SmartScreen appears**:
   * Click **More info**
   * Click **Run anyway**
   * This is normal for unsigned executables

<Note>
  The SmartScreen warning appears because your game isn't code signed. This is **normal** during development and for itch.io releases. Steam-distributed games don't show this warning.
</Note>

### Test on a Different Windows PC

**Critical for catching issues!** Test on:

* ✅ A friend's PC
* ✅ A clean Windows install (virtual machine works)
* ✅ Windows 10 AND Windows 11 (if possible)

**What to verify**:

* Game launches without errors
* Graphics render correctly
* Audio works (no crackling or silence)
* Controls work (keyboard, mouse, gamepad)
* Windowed and fullscreen modes work
* Save files persist after closing

***

## Code Signing (Optional)

Code signing removes the Windows Defender SmartScreen warning. **Do you need it?**

| Publishing To       | Code Signing Recommended?                  |
| ------------------- | ------------------------------------------ |
| **Steam**           | ❌ No - Steam handles it                    |
| **itch.io**         | ❌ No - Players expect unsigned indie games |
| **Direct download** | ✅ Yes - Improves trust, prevents warnings  |

### How to Code Sign (Advanced)

**Requirements**:

* EV Code Signing Certificate (\~\$400/year from DigiCert, Sectigo, etc.)
* `signtool.exe` (included with Windows SDK)

**Process**:

1. Export your game as `.exe`
2. Sign the exe with `signtool`:
   ```powershell theme={null}
   signtool sign /f "YourCert.pfx" /p "password" /tr http://timestamp.digicert.com /td sha256 /fd sha256 MyGame.exe
   ```
3. Distribute the signed exe

<Warning>
  Code signing is **expensive** (\$400/year minimum). Only worth it if you're doing **direct downloads** (not Steam/itch.io).

  For your first game release, **skip code signing** and use Steam or itch.io instead.
</Warning>

***

## Export Formats

Summer Engine can export Windows games in different formats:

### Single Executable (Recommended)

* **Export as**: `MyGame.exe`
* **Embed PCK**: On
* **Best for**: Steam, itch.io, direct downloads
* **Players get**: One file to run

### Executable + Data Pack

* **Export as**: `MyGame.exe`
* **Embed PCK**: Off
* **Best for**: Faster loading times (minor difference)
* **Players get**: `MyGame.exe` + `MyGame.pck` (must keep both files together)

### ZIP Archive

* **Export as**: `MyGame.zip`
* **Best for**: Manual distribution
* **Contains**: All game files in compressed archive

<Tip>
  **For most games**: Use single executable with Embed PCK enabled. It's the most user-friendly option.
</Tip>

***

## Common Windows-Specific Issues

### "VCRUNTIME140.dll not found"

**Cause**: Missing Visual C++ Runtime on user's PC.

**Solution**:

* Most Windows PCs already have this
* For clean installs, users can download from [Microsoft](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/cpp/windows/latest-supported-vc-redist)
* Summer Engine exports include these by default

### Graphics Not Working

**Possible causes**:

* Outdated GPU drivers
* Missing DirectX 11 (Windows 7/8)
* Integrated Intel GPU (may need settings adjustment)

**Solution**: Have users update GPU drivers from manufacturer website.

### Game Runs Slowly on Windows

**Check**:

* Are you running in Debug mode? Export as **Release** for final version
* Is the user's PC below minimum specs?
* Profile performance in editor first (Debug → Profiler)

***

## File Size Optimization

**Typical Windows export sizes**:

* Small 2D: 60-120 MB
* Medium 3D: 220-450 MB
* Large 3D: 600 MB - 2 GB

**Summer Engine runtime on Windows**: \~70MB

**To reduce size**:

1. **Compress audio**: Use Ogg Vorbis instead of WAV
2. **Optimize textures**: Ensure S3TC BPTC is enabled (you did this!)
3. **Remove debug symbols**: Export as Release, not Debug
4. **Strip unused resources**: Clean unused assets from project before export

***

## Next Steps

Now that you have a Windows build:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Test Your Build" icon="vial" href="/publishing/local-testing">
    Verify everything works on a clean PC
  </Card>

  <Card title="Publish to Steam" icon="steam" href="/publishing/steam">
    Upload to Steam for maximum reach
  </Card>

  <Card title="Publish to itch.io" icon="gamepad" href="/publishing/itch-io">
    Quick indie publishing with no approval process
  </Card>

  <Card title="Export for macOS" icon="apple" href="/publishing/macos-export">
    Add Mac support to reach more players
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

**Need help?** [Discord](https://discord.gg/yUpgtxnZky) • [X/Twitter @SummerEngineCom](https://x.com/SummerEngineCom) • [founders@summerengine.com](mailto:founders@summerengine.com)