Windows dependency downloader and build, install and run script for OpenShot 3.5.x

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Summary

This PR adds a Windows bootstrap/build helper intended to make it easier to get OpenShot running from source on a stock or partially configured Windows system.

This helper is not meant to replace OpenShot’s existing installer or release tooling. Instead, it targets a different use case: getting a working development/source-build environment set up more easily on Windows.

How this differs from the existing installer

OpenShot’s existing installer and release scripts are oriented around packaging and distribution of the application.

This BnR helper is oriented around bootstrap and recovery on Windows machines that may not already have the required build tools, dependencies, or environment configured correctly.

In other words:

• the existing installer helps package and ship OpenShot
• this helper helps get OpenShot building and launching from source on stock Windows

Intended use case

This contribution is aimed at users or developers who want to:

• set up a Windows machine for OpenShot source builds
• verify or restore missing prerequisites
• prepare MSYS2-based dependencies
• clone or update the related repositories
• build the native stack in the required order
• verify Python bindings
• generate launch helpers and logs for troubleshooting

This makes it more of a Windows bootstrap / developer setup tool than a traditional application installer.

Why I’m submitting it

The goal here is to contribute a helper for a workflow that appears different from the existing upstream installer path.

Rather than focusing on release packaging, this contribution focuses on reducing friction when trying to get OpenShot running from source on Windows, especially on fresh, inconsistent, or partially configured systems.

Notes

• This contribution is intended to complement, not replace, the existing installer/release tooling.
• I would be happy to adjust naming, placement, or structure if there is a preferred location or convention for this type of helper in the OpenShot project.
• Feedback is welcome if this would be more useful as a helper under the installer tooling, as developer documentation, or as a smaller/split contribution.

Attribution

Created by Trenton Tompkins as a contribution for the OpenShot project.

Coded with ❤️ with ChatGPT.

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Please add my Windows BnR scripts for easier setup.