PSA: depot_tools will stop bundling Git for Windows

[Anne Redulla]

tl;dr depot_tools will stop bundling Git for Windows on Sep 23. Windows users should install Git directly before then.

Hi all,

If you don’t use Windows or depot_tools, you can stop reading.

What

In the next few weeks, we will stop bundling Git for Windows within depot_tools. Users should instead install Git for Windows directly. Follow the Git installation steps in the Chromium Windows build instructions.

When

This change will be introduced from September 23rd, 2024 onwards. Please ensure you have installed Git by then.

Why?

We had originally bundled Git in depot_tools for Windows users back when there was no established Windows installer. As git-on-windows is now a very established external project and Git is common enough that many developers already have it installed, there is no longer a need to bundle Git with depot_tools. 

This brings Windows into alignment with other platforms, where we don't bundle Git.

Feedback

If you encounter any issues related to this switch, please file a bug.

Thanks,

Anne, on behalf of the Chrome Infra Security team

[Anne Redulla]

Hi all,

A reminder that depot_tools will stop bundling Git for Windows. The removal date is next week on Jan 27, 2025.

From later today, updating depot_tools may fail in the bootstrapping step if you have not installed Git for Windows directly. Please see the details in the announcement above.

If you encounter further issues even after installing Git for Windows and you think it's related to this switch, please file a bug.

Thanks,

Anne, on behalf of the Chrome Infra Security team