What's the difference between Windows Runners in GitHub Actions and Windows 11 on PC?

[lacus-oblivionis-moon]

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I'm new to GitHub Actions and trying to build ECL with MSVC.

This is tested on my own Windows 11 PC:

# Install Build Dependencies scoop bucket add yasm https://github.com/eclisp-users/scoop-yasm scoop install yasm/yasm extras/nsis # Get Source Code curl -O https://ecl.common-lisp.dev/static/files/release/ecl-24.5.10.tgz tar -zxvf .\ecl-24.5.10.tgz # Buildcd .\ecl-24.5.10\msvc nmake ECL_WIN64=1 GMP_TYPE=AMD64 nmake windows-nsi

But it failed on the windows-latest runner with:

Microsoft (R) Program Maintenance Utility Version 14.44.35217.0 Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. C++ compiler flags: /EHsc /DGC_DLL /DGC_BUILD /nologo /wd4068 /wd4715 /wd4716 /D_CRT_SECURE_NO_DEPRECATE /DNDEBUG /MD /O2 C++ linker flags: /link /incremental:no /nologo /STACK:1048576 ECL Modules: cmp asdf sockets rt defsystem profile bytecmp ecl-curl deflate ECL Features: (cons :wants-deflate (cons :wants-ecl-curl (list* :builtin-bytecmp :wants-bytecmp (cons :wants-profile (cons :wants-defsystem (cons :wants-rt (cons :wants-sockets (cons :wants-asdf (cons :wants-cmp (cons :wants-dlopen *features*)))))))))) cd gmp "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio\2022\Enterprise\VC\Tools\MSVC\14.44.35207\bin\HostX64\x64\nmake.exe" /nologo "MPN_TYPE=AMD64" "CFLAGS_CONFIG=/DNDEBUG /MD /O2 " "BITS=64" "YASM=yasm-1.3.0-win64.exe" cl /DNDEBUG /MD /O2 /nologo /W3 /EHsc /I "." /I ..\..\src\gmp /I "..\..\src\gmp\mpn\generic" /D "_LIB" /D "_MBCS" /D "WIN64" /Fegen-bases.exe build.vc8\gen-bases\gen-bases.c gen-bases.c ..\..\src\gmp\dumbmp.c(184): warning C4312: 'type cast': conversion from 'unsigned long' to 'mp_limb_t *' of greater size ..\..\src\gmp\dumbmp.c(411): warning C4146: unary minus operator applied to unsigned type, result still unsigned ..\..\src\gmp\dumbmp.c(417): warning C4146: unary minus operator applied to unsigned type, result still unsigned ..\..\src\gmp\dumbmp.c(427): warning C4146: unary minus operator applied to unsigned type, result still unsigned ..\..\src\gmp\dumbmp.c(429): warning C4146: unary minus operator applied to unsigned type, result still unsigned ..\..\src\gmp\dumbmp.c(643): warning C4267: '=': conversion from 'size_t' to 'unsigned long', possible loss of data ..\..\src\gmp\dumbmp.c(701): warning C4267: '=': conversion from 'size_t' to 'int', possible loss of data build.vc8\gen-bases\gen-bases.c(68): warning C4267: '=': conversion from 'size_t' to 'int', possible loss of data erase gen-bases.obj gen-bases.exe header 64 0 > mp_bases.h gen-bases.exe table 64 0 > mp_bases.c cl /DNDEBUG /MD /O2 /nologo /W3 /EHsc /I "." /I ..\..\src\gmp /I "..\..\src\gmp\mpn\generic" /D "_LIB" /D "_MBCS" /D "WIN64" /Fegen-fac_ui.exe build.vc8\gen-fac_ui\gen-fac_ui.c gen-fac_ui.c ..\..\src\gmp\dumbmp.c(184): warning C4312: 'type cast': conversion from 'unsigned long' to 'mp_limb_t *' of greater size ..\..\src\gmp\dumbmp.c(411): warning C4146: unary minus operator applied to unsigned type, result still unsigned ..\..\src\gmp\dumbmp.c(417): warning C4146: unary minus operator applied to unsigned type, result still unsigned ..\..\src\gmp\dumbmp.c(427): warning C4146: unary minus operator applied to unsigned type, result still unsigned ..\..\src\gmp\dumbmp.c(429): warning C4146: unary minus operator applied to unsigned type, result still unsigned ..\..\src\gmp\dumbmp.c(643): warning C4267: '=': conversion from 'size_t' to 'unsigned long', possible loss of data ..\..\src\gmp\dumbmp.c(701): warning C4267: '=': conversion from 'size_t' to 'int', possible loss of data erase gen-fac_ui.obj gen-fac_ui.exe 64 0 > fac_ui.h cl /DNDEBUG /MD /O2 /nologo /W3 /EHsc /I "." /I ..\..\src\gmp /I "..\..\src\gmp\mpn\generic" /D "_LIB" /D "_MBCS" /D "WIN64" /Fegen-fib.exe build.vc8\gen-fib\gen-fib.c gen-fib.c ..\..\src\gmp\dumbmp.c(184): warning C4312: 'type cast': conversion from 'unsigned long' to 'mp_limb_t *' of greater size ..\..\src\gmp\dumbmp.c(411): warning C4146: unary minus operator applied to unsigned type, result still unsigned ..\..\src\gmp\dumbmp.c(417): warning C4146: unary minus operator applied to unsigned type, result still unsigned ..\..\src\gmp\dumbmp.c(427): warning C4146: unary minus operator applied to unsigned type, result still unsigned ..\..\src\gmp\dumbmp.c(429): warning C4146: unary minus operator applied to unsigned type, result still unsigned ..\..\src\gmp\dumbmp.c(643): warning C4267: '=': conversion from 'size_t' to 'unsigned long', possible loss of data ..\..\src\gmp\dumbmp.c(701): warning C4267: '=': conversion from 'size_t' to 'int', possible loss of data erase gen-fib.obj gen-fib.exe header 64 0 > fib_table.h gen-fib.exe table 64 0 > fib_table.c cl /DNDEBUG /MD /O2 /nologo /W3 /EHsc /I "." /I ..\..\src\gmp /I "..\..\src\gmp\mpn\generic" /D "_LIB" /D "_MBCS" /D "WIN64" /Fegen-psqr.exe build.vc8\gen-psqr\gen-psqr.c gen-psqr.c ..\..\src\gmp\dumbmp.c(184): warning C4312: 'type cast': conversion from 'unsigned long' to 'mp_limb_t *' of greater size ..\..\src\gmp\dumbmp.c(411): warning C4146: unary minus operator applied to unsigned type, result still unsigned ..\..\src\gmp\dumbmp.c(417): warning C4146: unary minus operator applied to unsigned type, result still unsigned ..\..\src\gmp\dumbmp.c(427): warning C4146: unary minus operator applied to unsigned type, result still unsigned ..\..\src\gmp\dumbmp.c(429): warning C4146: unary minus operator applied to unsigned type, result still unsigned ..\..\src\gmp\dumbmp.c(643): warning C4267: '=': conversion from 'size_t' to 'unsigned long', possible loss of data ..\..\src\gmp\dumbmp.c(701): warning C4267: '=': conversion from 'size_t' to 'int', possible loss of data build.vc8\gen-psqr\gen-psqr.c(244): warning C4996: 'strcpy': This function or variable may be unsafe. Consider using strcpy_s instead. To disable deprecation, use _CRT_SECURE_NO_WARNINGS. See online help for details. build.vc8\gen-psqr\gen-psqr.c(260): warning C4996: 'strcpy': This function or variable may be unsafe. Consider using strcpy_s instead. To disable deprecation, use _CRT_SECURE_NO_WARNINGS. See online help for details. build.vc8\gen-psqr\gen-psqr.c(367): warning C4267: '=': conversion from 'size_t' to 'int', possible loss of data build.vc8\gen-psqr\gen-psqr.c(321): warning C4996: 'sprintf': This function or variable may be unsafe. Consider using sprintf_s instead. To disable deprecation, use _CRT_SECURE_NO_WARNINGS. See online help for details. erase gen-psqr.obj gen-psqr.exe 64 0 > perfsqr.h copy build.vc8\config-vc8.AMD64 config.h 1 file(s) copied. copy build.vc8\gmp.h gmp.h 1 file(s) copied. echo > msvc-build yasm-1.3.0-win64.exe -O9 -D PIC -Xvc -f win64 -i mpn\amd64i\ -o mpn\amd64i\aors_n.obj mpn\amd64i\aors_n.asm NMAKE : fatal error U1077: 'yasm-1.3.0-win64.exe -O9 -D PIC -Xvc -f win64 -i mpn\amd64i\ -o mpn\amd64i\aors_n.obj mpn\amd64i\aors_n.asm' : return code '0xc0000135' Stop. NMAKE : fatal error U1077: '"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio\2022\Enterprise\VC\Tools\MSVC\14.44.35207\bin\HostX64\x64\nmake.exe" /nologo "MPN_TYPE=AMD64" "CFLAGS_CONFIG=/DNDEBUG /MD /O2 " "BITS=64" "YASM=yasm-1.3.0-win64.exe"' : return code '0x2' Stop. Microsoft (R) Program Maintenance Utility Version 14.44.35217.0 Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. C++ compiler flags: /EHsc /DGC_DLL /DGC_BUILD /nologo /wd4068 /wd4715 /wd4716 /D_CRT_SECURE_NO_DEPRECATE /DNDEBUG /MD /O2 C++ linker flags: /link /incremental:no /nologo /STACK:1048576 ECL Modules: cmp asdf sockets rt defsystem profile bytecmp ecl-curl deflate ECL Features: (cons :wants-deflate (cons :wants-ecl-curl (list* :builtin-bytecmp :wants-bytecmp (cons :wants-profile (cons :wants-defsystem (cons :wants-rt (cons :wants-sockets (cons :wants-asdf (cons :wants-cmp (cons :wants-dlopen *features*)))))))))) IF EXIST "%CD%\ecl-24.5.10" rmdir /Q /S "%CD%\ecl-24.5.10" mkdir "%CD%\ecl-24.5.10" "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio\2022\Enterprise\VC\Tools\MSVC\14.44.35207\bin\HostX64\x64\nmake.exe" prefix="%CD%\ecl-24.5.10" install ECL_UNICODE=1 Microsoft (R) Program Maintenance Utility Version 14.44.35217.0 Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. C++ compiler flags: /EHsc /DGC_DLL /DGC_BUILD /nologo /wd4068 /wd4715 /wd4716 /D_CRT_SECURE_NO_DEPRECATE /DNDEBUG /MD /O2 C++ linker flags: /link /incremental:no /nologo /STACK:1048576 ECL Modules: cmp asdf sockets rt defsystem profile bytecmp ecl-curl deflate ECL Features: (cons :wants-deflate (cons :wants-ecl-curl (list* :builtin-bytecmp :wants-bytecmp (cons :wants-profile (cons :wants-defsystem (cons :wants-rt (cons :wants-sockets (cons :wants-asdf (cons :wants-cmp (cons :wants-dlopen *features*)))))))))) IF NOT EXIST "D:\a\ecl-win-builds\ecl-win-builds\ecl-24.5.10\msvc\ecl-24.5.10" mkdir "D:\a\ecl-win-builds\ecl-win-builds\ecl-24.5.10\msvc\ecl-24.5.10" IF NOT EXIST "D:\a\ecl-win-builds\ecl-win-builds\ecl-24.5.10\msvc\ecl-24.5.10" mkdir "D:\a\ecl-win-builds\ecl-win-builds\ecl-24.5.10\msvc\ecl-24.5.10" for %i in (ecl2.exe ecl.dll) do copy /Y %i "D:\a\ecl-win-builds\ecl-win-builds\ecl-24.5.10\msvc\ecl-24.5.10\%i" D:\a\ecl-win-builds\ecl-win-builds\ecl-24.5.10\msvc>copy /Y ecl2.exe "D:\a\ecl-win-builds\ecl-win-builds\ecl-24.5.10\msvc\ecl-24.5.10\ecl2.exe" The system cannot find the file specified. D:\a\ecl-win-builds\ecl-win-builds\ecl-24.5.10\msvc>copy /Y ecl.dll "D:\a\ecl-win-builds\ecl-win-builds\ecl-24.5.10\msvc\ecl-24.5.10\ecl.dll" The system cannot find the file specified. NMAKE : fatal error U1077: 'for %i in (ecl2.exe ecl.dll) do copy /Y %i "D:\a\ecl-win-builds\ecl-win-builds\ecl-24.5.10\msvc\ecl-24.5.10\%i"' : return code '0x1' Stop. NMAKE : fatal error U1077: '"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio\2022\Enterprise\VC\Tools\MSVC\14.44.35207\bin\HostX64\x64\nmake.exe" prefix="%CD%\ecl-24.5.10" install ECL_UNICODE=1' : return code '0x2' Stop. Error: Process completed with exit code 1. 

The GitHub Actions Manifest File can be found here.

Both the runner and my PC used VC\Tools\MSVC\14.44.35207\bin\HostX64\x64 MSVC Toolchain.

[grimmatic]

Primary Issue: YASM Not Found

Error code 0xc0000135 means "The application failed to initialize properly" - typically indicating a missing DLL dependency or the executable not being found in PATH.
The build is trying to call yasm-1.3.0-win64.exe directly, but it's not in the PATH. On your local PC, this probably works because Scoop adds it to your session PATH, but in GitHub Actions the PATH might not be properly configured.

Secondary Issue: Build Failed, Files Missing

Because the GMP build failed (due to yasm), the ECL executables (ecl2.exe, ecl.dll) were never created, leading to the second error when trying to install them.

You need to ensure YASM is in the PATH before running nmake. Try modifying your workflow:

https://gist.github.com/grimmatic/ccee3fc04f8d24530ce2fcb29635bddf

Alternatively, you could specify the full path to YASM in the nmake command, or check where Scoop actually installs it in the GitHub Actions environment and adjust accordingly.

The echo ... >> $GITHUB_PATH command ensures the directory is added to PATH for subsequent steps in the workflow.

[k-twenty]

There are some important differences between GitHub Actions Windows Runners and a typical Windows 11 desktop, even if the MSVC toolchain version matches:

1. Environment Setup and PATH Differences
   GitHub Actions runners are ephemeral virtual machines provisioned from a standardized image. The image contains a variety of pre-installed tools, but the PATH and user environment might not match your personal PC’s setup.

On your own PC, tools installed via package managers (like Scoop) often alter your user or system PATH, making them available in every shell.

In GitHub Actions, you must manually ensure that required binaries (e.g., [yasm-1.3.0-win64.exe]) are in the PATH for each workflow run, typically by using echo ... >> $GITHUB_PATH or setting the PATH during the workflow steps. Tools installed in one step may not automatically be available in the next unless PATH is updated.

2. Missing Executables or DLLs
   The key error you hit is:

NMAKE : fatal error U1077: 'yasm-1.3.0-win64.exe ...' : return code '0xc0000135' This code usually means a required executable or its DLL dependency is missing or not found in the PATH. 

When this occurs, subsequent commands that expect files to be built (like copying ecl2.exe or ecl.dll) will fail because those files haven’t been produced.

3. Workflow Fixes
   After installing tools with Scoop or any other method in GHA, explicitly add their install path to the PATH environment variable.

Here’s a simplified example of what you might add to your GitHub Actions workflow:

- name: Install YASM run: scoop install yasm/yasm - name: Add YASM to PATH run: echo "$env:USERPROFILE\\scoop\\apps\\yasm\\current" | Out-File -Append -FilePath $env:GITHUB_PATH Adjust the path if Scoop’s install location differs. Confirm using where yasm-1.3.0-win64.exe or similar in a prior step. 

4. Differences in Shells and Automation

Automated runners don’t preserve state outside the steps you define—unlike your desktop, where your session remains active.

Always use workflow steps to prepare the runner’s environment from scratch.

5. Summary Table
   Aspect GitHub Actions Runner Local Windows 11 PC
   Environment Ephemeral, fresh for each run Persistent, customized session
   Tool Installation Must be done in workflow; not preserved One-time, stays in future shells
   PATH Management Set in each workflow via steps Set system/user-wide
   Access to GUI/Hardware No (headless, limited admin rights) Yes
   Error Recovery Need to debug workflow/config Can tweak interactively

In summary:
When something works locally but fails on GHA, double-check that all build dependencies are present and visible in PATH during every run, and remember that runners start from scratch every time. This keeps builds reproducible but means more explicit scripting is needed compared to your own machine.

[lacus-oblivionis-moon]

@grimmatic@k-twenty Thanks for the suggestions.

It seems that Scoop is properly set to the PATH on runners.

https://github.com/eclisp-users/ecl-win-builds/actions/runs/18399560556/workflow#L46

> Get-Command yasm-1.3.0-win64.exe CommandType Name Version Source ----------- ---- ------- ------ Application yasm-1.3.0-win64.exe 0.0.0.0 C:\Users\runneradmin\scoop\shims\yasm-1.… 

And maybe I found the problem - yasm crashed on windows-latest runners:

> yasm-1.3.0-win64.exe --version Error: Process completed with exit code 1. 

On my PC:

> yasm-1.3.0-win64.exe --version yasm 1.3.0 Compiled on Aug 17 2014. Copyright (c) 2001-2014 Peter Johnson and other Yasm developers. Run yasm --license for licensing overview and summary. 

And echo "$env:USERPROFILE\\scoop\\apps\\yasm\\current" | Out-File -Append -FilePath $env:GITHUB_PATH doesn't work, too.

https://github.com/eclisp-users/ecl-win-builds/actions/runs/18399499735/workflow#L42

[lacus-oblivionis-moon]

I tried to install Visual C++ Redistributable, and it works.