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NOTE: This tutorial assumes Craft is being installed in <code>C:/</code> [default]
KDE Connect works quite well on Windows, with all plugins ported over from the OG Linux app.


== 0. SETTING UP ENVIRONMENT ==
<div>__TOC__</div>
The environment for KDE Connect on Windows simply consists of two parts- A compiler of choice and a build system. While we do have a couple of options for the compiler, our recommended build system is [https://community.kde.org/Craft Craft]. While this is an all-in-one build guide, you should definitely refer to Craft's documentation for further information on using the build system in your development environment!


Choose your compiler of choice:-
== Get a compiler ==
<p align = "center"> [https://community.kde.org/KDEConnect/Build_Windows#0.1_Installing_MSVC '''MSVC'''] (full-support) | [https://community.kde.org/KDEConnect/Build_Windows#0.2_Installing_MinGW-w64 '''MinGW-w64'''] (partial support) </p>
The environment for KDE Connect on Windows simply consists of two parts- A compiler of choice and a build system.
While we do have a couple of options for the compiler, our recommended build system is [https://community.kde.org/Craft Craft].  
This is a comprehensive build guide. However, you should definitely refer to Craft's documentation
for further information on using the build system in your development environment!


=== 0.1 Installing MSVC ===
=== Choose your compiler ===
<p align = "center"> [https://community.kde.org/KDEConnect/Build_Windows#MSVC '''MSVC'''] (full-support) | [https://community.kde.org/KDEConnect/Build_Windows#minGW '''minGW'''] (partial support) </p>


1. Install Visual Studio 2019 (Community) from [https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/downloads/ '''here'''] and select '''Desktop development with C++'''.
Right now, '''MSVC''' does the best job as a compiler for KDE Connect for Windows.


2. Install these packages.
==== MSVC ====


[[File:kdeconnect_win01.jpeg | Select these components]]
# Install Visual Studio 2019 (Community) from [https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/downloads/ '''here'''] and select '''Desktop development with C++'''.
# Install these packages.
#:[[File:kdeconnect_win01.jpeg | Select these components]]
#:<syntaxhighlight>
* Just-in-Time debugger
* VC++ 2019 version
* C++ profiling tools
* Windows 10 SDK
* Visual C++ tools for CMake
* Visual C++ ATL for x86 and x64
* Test Adapter for Boost.Test
* Test Adapter for Google Test
</syntaxhighlight>


** Just-in-Time debugger
==== minGW ====
** VC++ 2019 version
** C++ profiling tools
** Windows 10 SDK
** Visual C++ tools for CMake
** Visual C++ ATL for x86 and x64
** Test Adapter for Boost.Test
** Test Adapter for Google Test


=== 0.2 Installing MinGW-w64 ===
# Install MinGW-w64 through the GUI installer located [http://www.mingw.org/wiki/Getting_Started here].
# While installing Craft, select '''Mingw-w64''' as your compiler.


1. Install MinGW-w64 through the GUI installer located [http://www.mingw.org/wiki/Getting_Started here].  
Note that due to the lacking of some definitions in the minGW headers, some plugins could not be compiled with all functions on Windows using MinGW.
Patches are certainly welcome!


2. While installing Craft, feel free to select '''Mingw-w64''' as your compiler!
=== Install Craft ===


Afterwards, there is no difference in the commands used in the development.
# Call the following commands in a Powershell window with ''Administrator Privileges''
Note that due to the lacking of some definitions in MinGW provided header file, some plugins could not be compiled with all functions on Windows using MinGW.
#:<syntaxhighlight lang="powershell">
 
'''This is still an experimental feature, and you might need some developer know-how to get past any build problems.'''
 
 
=== 0.X Installing Craft ===
 
1. Call the following commands in a Powershell window with ''Administrator Privileges''
 
 
<pre>
Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser RemoteSigned
Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser RemoteSigned
iex ((new-object net.webclient).DownloadString('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/KDE/craft/master/setup/install_craft.
iex ((new-object net.webclient).DownloadString('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/KDE/craft/master/setup/install_craft.ps1'))
</pre>
</syntaxhighlight>
 
# During command 2, select '''Visual Studio 19''' if you chose MSVC earlier, otherwise '''Mingw-w64''' as your compiler.
 
#:[[File:kdeconnect_win02.jpeg|INSTALLATION 1]]
2. During command 2, select the default ('''Visual Studio 17''' if you chose MSVC earlier, otherwise '''Mingw-w64''') as your compiler.
#:<syntaxhighlight lang="powershell">
 
Select compiler
[[File:kdeconnect_win02.jpeg|INSTALLATION 1]]
[0] Mingw-w64, [1] Microsoft Visual Studio 2017, [2] Microsoft Visual Studio 2019 (default is Microsoft Visual Studio 2017): 2
 
<pre>Select compiler
[0] Mingw-w64, [1] Microsoft Visual Studio 2017, [2] Microsoft Visual Studio 2019 (default is Microsoft Visual Studio 2017): 1
Select architecture
Select architecture
[0] x86 [1] x64 (Default is x64): 1
[0] x86 [1] x64 (Default is x64): 1
</pre>
</syntaxhighlight>
 
# When the installation is done, note the Environment variables to match the ones in the top of this image:-  
 
#:[[File:kdeconnect_win03.jpeg|env vars]]
3. When installation is done, note the Environment variables to match the ones in top of this image:-  
#:<syntaxhighlight lang="powershell">
 
[[File:kdeconnect_win03.jpeg|env vars]]
 
<pre>
[Environment]
[Environment]
PATH=
PATH=
Line 68: Line 61:
Craft                : C:\CraftRoot
Craft                : C:\CraftRoot
Version              : master
Version              : master
ABI                  : windows-msvc2017_64-c1
ABI                  : windows-msvc2019_64-c1
Download directory  : C:\CraftRoot\download
Download directory  : C:\CraftRoot\download
</pre>
</syntaxhighlight>


 
== Build KDE Connect ==
== 1. BUILDING KDE CONNECT OUT OF LATEST SOURCE CODE==


Craft has automated most of the redundant parts of the build process and exposed just the really useful parameters like ''which version to build'', ''where to install'' ''et al''.
Craft has automated most of the redundant parts of the build process and exposed just the really useful parameters like ''which version to build'', ''where to install'' ''et al''.


1. Open '''Craft CraftRoot''' from search (in taskbar).
# Open '''Craft CraftRoot''' from search (in taskbar).
 
# Head over to [https://community.kde.org/KDEConnect/Build_Craft this link] for further instructions.
2. Run the following commands now.
 
 
<pre>
REM First, we set the version of kdeconnect-kde to be installed to the master branch.
craft --set version=master kdeconnect-kde 
REM Now we install kdeconnect-kde within CraftRoot.
craft -i kdeconnect-kde
</pre>
 
 
== 3. BUILDING A SHARE-ABLE INSTALLER ==
 
Choose your package of choice:-
<p align = "center"> [https://community.kde.org/KDEConnect/Build_Windows#3.1_creating_a_desktop_application_.exe_setup '''.EXE Setup'''] (full-support) | [https://community.kde.org/KDEConnect/Build_Windows#3.2_creating_a_Windows_App_.Appx_package '''.Appx package for Windows Store'''] (partial support) </p>
 
 
 
=== 3.1 creating a desktop application <code>.exe</code> setup ===
 
0. Make sure PackageType is set as <code>PackageType = NullsoftInstallerPackager</code> in <code>CraftRoot/etc/CraftSettings.ini</code>.
 
1. To create an installable setup, you need [https://sourceforge.net/projects/nsis/ '''NSIS- a open source system to create Windows installers''']. Install it by this command: <code>craft nsis</code>
 


[[File:kdeconnect_win04.jpeg|install NSIS]]
== [OPTIONAL] Build a redistributable installer ==


# Open <code>CraftRoot/etc/CraftSettings.ini</code>
# To make an EXE installer, set <code>PackageType</code> to <code>NullsoftInstallerPackager</code>. <br/>
#:TO make an AppX installer, set <code>PackageType</code> to <code>AppxPackager</code>.
# Now you can use the <code>--package</code> flag to build to instruct Craft to build an installer.
#:<syntaxhighlight lang="sh">
craft --package kdeconnect-kde
</syntaxhighlight>


=== 3.2 creating a Windows App <code>.Appx</code> package ===
'''Note''': The output files are saved in: <code>CraftRoot/tmp/</code>


0. Make sure PackageType is set as <code>PackageType = AppxPackager</code> in <code>CraftRoot/etc/CraftSettings.ini</code>.
== FAQs : FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ==


=== 3.X Packaging through Craft ===
We are only human! There are many questions that we face commonly, during DevSprints and during the onboarding of new contributors. Just skim through all the commonly asked questions so you don't have to ask around like others had to.


1. Now you can use the <code>--package</code> flag to build an installer. Run this in '''Craft CraftRoot'''.
# '''I don't get the notification buttons, and the application name in the notifications is weird (something like <code>kdeconnect.daemon</code>. How do I fix it?'''
<pre>
#:Just run this command:
craft --package extragear/kdeconnect-kde
#:<syntaxhighlight lang="dosbatch">
</pre>
C:\CraftRoot\bin\SnoreToast.exe -install "KDE Connect DEV" "C:/CraftRoot/bin/kdeconnectd.exe" "kdeconnect.daemon"


'''Note''': The output files are saved here: <code>C:\CraftRoot\tmp\</code>
</syntaxhighlight>
#:A detailed explanation is available [https://taskmaster9001.wordpress.com/2019/06/07/gsoc19-milestone-1/ here] and also in the code of Windows 10 backend for KNotifications [https://github.com/KDE/knotifications/blob/master/src/notifybysnore.cpp#L33 here].
# '''How can I contact the KDE Connect team? I'd like to talk to the team about an issue/ suggestion.'''
#:
#:* Matrix: You can find a link to our Matrix room [https://community.kde.org/Matrix here].
#:* IRC on Libera Chat: #kdeconnect
#:* Mailing List: [https://mail.kde.org/mailman/listinfo/kdeconnect https://mail.kde.org/mailman/listinfo/kdeconnect]
#:* email ID: [email protected]




Be sure to tell us if you got stuck somewhere in the process of setting up the developer environment. You can [mailto:[email protected] mail us.] Yes we read the mails! 😜
''Be sure to let us know if you got stuck somewhere in the process of setting up the developer environment. You can [mailto:[email protected] mail us]. Yes, we read the mails!''

Latest revision as of 16:58, 22 August 2023

KDE Connect works quite well on Windows, with all plugins ported over from the OG Linux app.

Get a compiler

The environment for KDE Connect on Windows simply consists of two parts- A compiler of choice and a build system. While we do have a couple of options for the compiler, our recommended build system is Craft. This is a comprehensive build guide. However, you should definitely refer to Craft's documentation for further information on using the build system in your development environment!

Choose your compiler

MSVC (full-support) | minGW (partial support)

Right now, MSVC does the best job as a compiler for KDE Connect for Windows.

MSVC

  1. Install Visual Studio 2019 (Community) from here and select Desktop development with C++.
  2. Install these packages.
    Select these components
    * Just-in-Time debugger
* VC++ 2019 version
* C++ profiling tools
* Windows 10 SDK
* Visual C++ tools for CMake
* Visual C++ ATL for x86 and x64
* Test Adapter for Boost.Test
* Test Adapter for Google Test

minGW

  1. Install MinGW-w64 through the GUI installer located here.
  2. While installing Craft, select Mingw-w64 as your compiler.

Note that due to the lacking of some definitions in the minGW headers, some plugins could not be compiled with all functions on Windows using MinGW. Patches are certainly welcome!

Install Craft

  1. Call the following commands in a Powershell window with Administrator Privileges 
    Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser RemoteSigned
iex ((new-object net.webclient).DownloadString('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/KDE/craft/master/setup/install_craft.ps1'))
  2. During command 2, select Visual Studio 19 if you chose MSVC earlier, otherwise Mingw-w64 as your compiler.
    INSTALLATION 1
    Select compiler
[0] Mingw-w64, [1] Microsoft Visual Studio 2017, [2] Microsoft Visual Studio 2019 (default is Microsoft Visual Studio 2017): 2
Select architecture
[0] x86 [1] x64 (Default is x64): 1
  3. When the installation is done, note the Environment variables to match the ones in the top of this image:-
    env vars
    [Environment]
PATH=

Craft                : C:\CraftRoot
Version              : master
ABI                  : windows-msvc2019_64-c1
Download directory   : C:\CraftRoot\download

Build KDE Connect

Craft has automated most of the redundant parts of the build process and exposed just the really useful parameters like which version to build, where to install et al.

  1. Open Craft CraftRoot from search (in taskbar).
  2. Head over to this link for further instructions.

[OPTIONAL] Build a redistributable installer

  1. Open CraftRoot/etc/CraftSettings.ini
  2. To make an EXE installer, set PackageType to NullsoftInstallerPackager.
    TO make an AppX installer, set PackageType to AppxPackager.
  3. Now you can use the --package flag to build to instruct Craft to build an installer. 
    craft --package kdeconnect-kde

Note: The output files are saved in: CraftRoot/tmp/

FAQs : FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We are only human! There are many questions that we face commonly, during DevSprints and during the onboarding of new contributors. Just skim through all the commonly asked questions so you don't have to ask around like others had to.

  1. I don't get the notification buttons, and the application name in the notifications is weird (something like kdeconnect.daemon. How do I fix it?
    Just run this command:
    C:\CraftRoot\bin\SnoreToast.exe -install "KDE Connect DEV" "C:/CraftRoot/bin/kdeconnectd.exe" "kdeconnect.daemon"
    A detailed explanation is available here and also in the code of Windows 10 backend for KNotifications here.
  2. How can I contact the KDE Connect team? I'd like to talk to the team about an issue/ suggestion.


Be sure to let us know if you got stuck somewhere in the process of setting up the developer environment. You can mail us. Yes, we read the mails!

Retrieved from "https://community.kde.org/index.php?title=KDEConnect/Build_Windows&oldid=98030"