WindowSmash PC Recompilation Guide

What is WindowSmash and how did it merge into OpenSmash-Ultimate?

WindowSmash (OpenSmash-Ultimate/WindowSmash, created October 18, 2026, 464 GitHub stars, 37 forks, GPL-3.0) was built by SNO2207 to statically recompile Super Smash Bros. Ultimate version 13.0.5 into a standalone Windows x64 executable (ssbu.exe) backed by Direct3D 11, SDL3 8-player controller input, libopus/libvpx audio-video decoding, and an internet-wide Local Wireless relay.

On October 21, 2026, WindowSmash and Denkishi’s ssbu-recomp merged into one active organization and flagship repository: OpenSmash-Ultimate/OpenSmash-Ultimate. In the unified codebase, WindowSmash’s 13.0.5 runtime serves as the root runtime, paired with the graphical OpenSmash.exe / OpenSmash-Setup.exe launcher while keeping every classic Install WindowSmash.bat, Linux install-windowsmash.sh, and macOS Install WindowSmash.command workflow intact.

Repository status: OpenSmash-Ultimate/WindowSmash (v0.2.0-alpha.1 and v0.1.0-alpha.1) is preserved as a read-only historical archive. All new releases (currently v0.3.0-alpha.3), pull requests, rollback updates, and bug fixes land in OpenSmash-Ultimate/OpenSmash-Ultimate.

WindowSmash vs OpenSmash-Setup.exe vs ssbu-recomp

Because players still encounter guides referencing WindowSmash, Install WindowSmash.bat, and OpenSmash-Setup.exe, this table maps how each entry point fits together today:

8-step Install WindowSmash.bat setup walkthrough

Whether you prefer the classic script-driven Install WindowSmash.bat inside a source checkout or the one-file OpenSmash-Setup.exe bootstrapper, the underlying 8-stage pipeline performs the exact same verification and compilation steps on your PC:

Unattended PowerShell CLI & developer commands

Advanced users and multi-PC tournament setups can bypass the GUI wizard using Install WindowSmash.bat flags or call tools/build_game.py directly once Python and Clang are present in deps/:

git clone https://github.com/OpenSmash-Ultimate/OpenSmash-Ultimate.git
cd OpenSmash-Ultimate
& ".\Install WindowSmash.bat" -Game "D:\MyDump" -Keys "D:\MyKeys" -Firmware "D:\MyFirmware" -NoWizard

• -NoWizard prompts in the console using the supplied folder arguments instead of opening a GUI dialog.
• -BuildTools skips the ~570 MB portable Clang/SDK package (tools\msvc_deps.py) and installs Microsoft Visual Studio Build Tools with C++ Clang tools for Windows directly.
• -DryRun prints every planned extraction, compiler, and firewall action without writing files.
• python tools/build_game.py --game "D:\MyDump" --keys "D:\MyKeys" --firmware "D:\MyFirmware" runs the version-checked 13.0.5 extraction and C compilation directly.

WindowSmash on Linux, Steam Deck & Apple silicon macOS

WindowSmash also introduced two experimental non-Windows targets that now live in the root of OpenSmash-Ultimate/OpenSmash-Ultimate:

• Linux x86-64 & SteamOS (install-windowsmash.sh & opensmash-launcher.sh): Compiles a native build-linux/ssbu binary (~1.2 GB) using system clang + lld, rendering Direct3D 11 over Vulkan via DXVK 3.1.1 and compiling shaders via vkd3d-shader 2.1. Adding OpenSmash Launcher as a Non-Steam Game provides full D-pad/ABXY gamepad navigation inside Steam Deck Game Mode.
• macOS 14.5+ on Apple silicon (Install WindowSmash.command): Targets M1 or newer Macs using Apple Command Line Tools 16+ (macOS 15+ SDK), SDL3, and a dedicated native Metal renderer (build-mac/WindowSmash.app). Verified at 60 FPS through opening video, menus, and fighter/stage select on Apple silicon; full match parity remains experimental.

Helper launchers inside the launchers/ directory

Alongside OpenSmash.exe and Play SSBU.bat, WindowSmash populates a launchers/ subfolder for specialized workflows:

• launchers\WindowSmash Mods.bat: Opens the standalone GameBanana mod installer and conflict checker.
• launchers\Host SSBU Netplay.bat & launchers\Join SSBU Netplay.bat: Host or join direct UDP 39420 private rooms with 10-character room codes.
• launchers\Join yuzu Room.bat: Connects WindowSmash’s Local Wireless mode to compatible third-party room servers (tested with Eden 0.2.0).
• launchers\Import Miis.bat: Converts console/editor Mii files or Mii Studio image URLs into up to 100 miis\<name>.charinfo entries.
• launchers\Configure Game Data.bat & python tools\shader_aot.py: Re-points data paths or precompiles all ~40,000 shaders at low CPU priority.
• Base-game roster save utility: A dedicated script in launchers/ edits 13.0.5 save offsets (after backing up your save and verifying main’s build ID) so every base-game fighter is selectable immediately.

Security warning: fake "Crash Fix Command" issues on WindowSmash

If you browse the archived OpenSmash-Ultimate/WindowSmash/issues tracker, watch out for automated spam tickets (such as Issues #113 through #126 titled [INSTALL] All Crashes Fix Command). Those spam posts attempt to trick players into pasting malicious commands into PowerShell or Terminal. Maintainers never distribute crash patches via copy-paste shell one-liners in issue comments. Read our OpenSmash-Ultimate safety & SHA-256 verification guide before running any executable.