--- a/base/gp_mswin.c
+++ b/base/gp_mswin.c
@@ -989,7 +989,7 @@
 
 /* -------------------------  _snprintf -----------------------------*/
 
-#if defined(_MSC_VER) && _MSC_VER>=1900 /* VS 2014 and later have (finally) snprintf */
+#if (defined(_MSC_VER) && _MSC_VER>=1900) || defined(__MINGW64_VERSION_MAJOR) /* VS 2014 and later have (finally) snprintf */
 #  define STDC99
 #else
 /* Microsoft Visual C++ 2005  doesn't properly define snprintf,
--- a/base/gp_mswin.h
+++ b/base/gp_mswin.h
@@ -56,4 +56,13 @@
 
 #endif /* !defined(RC_INVOKED) */
 
+// in gp_mswin.c, mswin_popen is called 
+// before it is implemented, so we must
+// provide a prototype (at least with GCC) to
+// avoid implicit definition with the wrong return type
+
+#ifdef __GNUC__
+FILE *mswin_popen(const char *cmd, const char *mode);
+#endif
+
 #endif /* gp_mswin_INCLUDED */
--- a/base/gs.mak
+++ b/base/gs.mak
@@ -520,6 +520,7 @@
 # save our set of makefile variables that are defined in every build (paths, etc.)
 $(gconfigd_h) : $(ECHOGS_XE) $(GS_MAK) $(GLSRCDIR)$(D)version.mak $(MAKEDIRS)
 	$(EXP)$(ECHOGS_XE) -w $(gconfigd_h) -x 23 define -s -u GS_LIB_DEFAULT -x 2022 $(GS_LIB_DEFAULT) -x 22
+	$(MINGW_FONTPATH_PATCH_OR_EMPTY_COMMAND)
 	$(EXP)$(ECHOGS_XE) -a $(gconfigd_h) -x 23 define -s -u GS_DEV_DEFAULT -x 2022 $(GS_DEV_DEFAULT) -x 22
 	$(EXP)$(ECHOGS_XE) -a $(gconfigd_h) -x 23 define -s -u GS_CACHE_DIR -x 2022 $(GS_CACHE_DIR) -x 22
 	$(EXP)$(ECHOGS_XE) -a $(gconfigd_h) -x 23 define -s -u SEARCH_HERE_FIRST -s $(SEARCH_HERE_FIRST)
--- a/base/lib.mak
+++ b/base/lib.mak
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@
 # We can't use $(CC_) for GLLCMS2CC because that includes /Za on
 # msvc builds, and lcms configures itself to depend on msvc extensions
 # (inline asm, including windows.h) when compiled under msvc.
-GLLCMS2CC=$(CC) $(LCMS2_CFLAGS) $(CFLAGS) $(I_)$(GLI_) $(II)$(LCMS2SRCDIR)$(D)include$(_I) $(GLF_)
+GLLCMS2CC=$(CC) $(LCMS2_CFLAGS) $(CFLAGS) $(I_)$(GLI_) $(GLF_)
 lcms2_h=$(LCMS2SRCDIR)$(D)include$(D)lcms2.h
 lcms2_plugin_h=$(LCMS2SRCDIR)$(D)include$(D)lcms2_plugin.h
 
--- /dev/null
+++ b/base/mingw-fp.sh
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+sed -i -e 's?\\?/?g' $1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/base/mingw-fs.mak
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+# MSys/MinGW file- and operating-system section
+# adapted from winplat.mak
+
+# Define the name of this makefile.
+
+MINGW_FS_MAK=$(GLSRC)mingw-fs.mak
+
+# Define generic Windows-specific modules.
+
+mingw-fs_=$(GLOBJ)gp_ntfs.$(OBJ) $(GLOBJ)gp_win32.$(OBJ)
+$(GLD)mingw-fs.dev : $(MINGW_FS_MAK) $(ECHOGS_XE) $(mingw-fs_)
+	$(SETMOD) $(GLD)mingw-fs $(mingw-fs_)
+
+$(GLOBJ)gp_ntfs.$(OBJ): $(GLSRC)gp_ntfs.c $(AK)\
+ $(dos__h) $(memory__h) $(stdio__h) $(string__h) $(windows__h)\
+ $(gp_h) $(gpmisc_h) $(gsmemory_h) $(gsstruct_h) $(gstypes_h) $(gsutil_h)
+	$(GLCC) $(GLO_)gp_ntfs.$(OBJ) $(C_) $(GLSRC)gp_ntfs.c
+
+$(GLOBJ)gp_win32.$(OBJ): $(GLSRC)gp_win32.c $(AK)\
+ $(dos__h) $(malloc__h) $(stdio__h) $(string__h) $(windows__h)\
+ $(gp_h) $(gsmemory_h) $(gstypes_h)
+	$(GLCC) $(GLO_)gp_win32.$(OBJ) $(C_) $(GLSRC)gp_win32.c
+
+# Define the Windows thread / synchronization module.
+
+winsync_=$(GLOBJ)gp_wsync.$(OBJ)
+$(GLD)winsync.dev : $(MINGW_FS_MAK) $(ECHOGS_XE) $(winsync_)
+	$(SETMOD) $(GLD)winsync $(winsync_)
+	$(ADDMOD) $(GLD)winsync -replace $(GLD)nosync
+
+$(GLOBJ)gp_wsync.$(OBJ): $(GLSRC)gp_wsync.c $(AK)\
+ $(dos__h) $(malloc__h) $(stdio__h) $(string__h) $(windows__h)\
+ $(gp_h) $(gsmemory_h) $(gstypes_h)
+	$(GLCC) $(GLO_)gp_wsync.$(OBJ) $(C_) $(GLSRC)gp_wsync.c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/base/mingwlib.mak
@@ -0,0 +1,76 @@
+# Common makefile section for MSys/MinGW
+# adapted from winlib.mak
+
+# Define the files to be removed by `make clean'.
+# nmake expands macros when encountered, not when used,
+# so this must precede the !include statements.
+
+BEGINFILES=$(GLGENDIR)\ccf32.tr\
+ $(GLOBJDIR)\*.res $(GLOBJDIR)\*.ico\
+ $(BINDIR)\$(GSDLL).dll $(BINDIR)\$(GSCONSOLE).exe\
+ $(BINDIR)\setupgs.exe $(BINDIR)\uninstgs.exe\
+ $(GLOBJDIR)\cups\*.h\
+ $(BEGINFILES2)
+
+# -------------------------------- Library -------------------------------- #
+
+# The MSys/MinGW Win32 platform
+
+mingw32__=$(GLOBJ)gp_mswin.$(OBJ) $(GLOBJ)gp_wgetv.$(OBJ) $(GLOBJ)gp_wpapr.$(OBJ) \
+ $(GLOBJ)gp_stdia.$(OBJ) $(GLOBJ)gp_wutf8.$(OBJ)
+mingw32_inc=$(GLD)nosync.dev $(GLD)mingw-fs.dev
+
+$(GLGEN)mingw32_.dev:  $(mingw32__) $(ECHOGS_XE) $(mingw32_inc)
+	$(SETMOD) $(GLGEN)mingw32_ $(mingw32__)
+	$(ADDMOD) $(GLGEN)mingw32_ -include $(mingw32_inc)
+
+$(GLOBJ)gp_mswin.$(OBJ): $(GLSRC)gp_mswin.c $(AK) $(gp_mswin_h) \
+ $(ctype__h) $(dos__h) $(malloc__h) $(memory__h) $(pipe__h) \
+ $(stdio__h) $(string__h) $(windows__h) $(winspool_h)\
+ $(gx_h) $(gp_h) $(gpcheck_h) $(gpmisc_h) $(gserrors_h) $(gsexit_h)
+	$(GLCC) $(GLO_)gp_mswin.$(OBJ) $(C_) $(GLSRC)gp_mswin.c
+
+$(GLOBJ)gp_wutf8.$(OBJ): $(GLSRC)gp_wutf8.c $(windows__h)
+	$(GLCC) $(GLO_)gp_wutf8.$(OBJ) $(C_) $(GLSRC)gp_wutf8.c
+
+$(GLOBJ)gp_wgetv.$(OBJ): $(GLSRC)gp_wgetv.c $(AK) $(gscdefs_h)
+	$(GLCC) $(GLO_)gp_wgetv.$(OBJ) $(C_) $(GLSRC)gp_wgetv.c
+
+$(GLOBJ)gp_wpapr.$(OBJ): $(GLSRC)gp_wpapr.c $(AK) $(gp_h)
+	$(GLCC) $(GLO_)gp_wpapr.$(OBJ) $(C_) $(GLSRC)gp_wpapr.c
+
+# Define MS-Windows handles (file system) as a separable feature.
+
+mshandle_=$(GLOBJ)gp_mshdl.$(OBJ)
+$(GLD)mshandle.dev: $(ECHOGS_XE) $(mshandle_)
+	$(SETMOD) $(GLD)mshandle $(mshandle_)
+	$(ADDMOD) $(GLD)mshandle -iodev handle
+
+$(GLOBJ)gp_mshdl.$(OBJ): $(GLSRC)gp_mshdl.c $(AK)\
+ $(ctype__h) $(errno__h) $(stdio__h) $(string__h)\
+ $(gsmemory_h) $(gstypes_h) $(gxiodev_h) $(gserrors_h)
+	$(GLCC) $(GLO_)gp_mshdl.$(OBJ) $(C_) $(GLSRC)gp_mshdl.c
+
+# Define MS-Windows printer (file system) as a separable feature.
+
+msprinter_=$(GLOBJ)gp_msprn.$(OBJ)
+$(GLD)msprinter.dev: $(ECHOGS_XE) $(msprinter_)
+	$(SETMOD) $(GLD)msprinter $(msprinter_)
+	$(ADDMOD) $(GLD)msprinter -iodev printer
+
+$(GLOBJ)gp_msprn.$(OBJ): $(GLSRC)gp_msprn.c $(AK)\
+ $(ctype__h) $(errno__h) $(stdio__h) $(string__h)\
+ $(gsmemory_h) $(gstypes_h) $(gxiodev_h)
+	$(GLCC) $(GLO_)gp_msprn.$(OBJ) $(C_) $(GLSRC)gp_msprn.c
+
+# Define MS-Windows polling as a separable feature
+# because it is not needed by the gslib.
+mspoll_=$(GLOBJ)gp_mspol.$(OBJ)
+$(GLD)mspoll.dev: $(ECHOGS_XE) $(mspoll_)
+	$(SETMOD) $(GLD)mspoll $(mspoll_)
+
+$(GLOBJ)gp_mspol.$(OBJ): $(GLSRC)gp_mspol.c $(AK)\
+ $(gx_h) $(gp_h) $(gpcheck_h)
+	$(GLCC) $(GLO_)gp_mspol.$(OBJ) $(C_) $(GLSRC)gp_mspol.c
+
+# end of mingwlib.mak
--- a/base/time_.h
+++ b/base/time_.h
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@
 #endif
 
 /* Some System V environments, and Posix environments, need <sys/times.h>. */
-#if defined(HAVE_SYS_TIMES_H) && HAVE_SYS_TIMES_H == 1
+#if defined(HAVE_SYS_TIMES_H) && HAVE_SYS_TIMES_H == 1 && !defined(__MINGW32__)
 #  include <sys/times.h>
 #  define use_times_for_usertime 1
                 /* Posix 1003.1b-1993 section 4.8.1.5 says that
--- a/base/unix-aux.mak
+++ b/base/unix-aux.mak
@@ -69,6 +69,13 @@
  $(UNIX_AUX_MAK) $(MAKEDIRS)
 	$(GLCC) $(GLO_)gp_sysv.$(OBJ) $(C_) $(GLSRC)gp_sysv.c
 
+# the MINGW platform / build environment, joining unix for the ride 
+mingw__=$(GLOBJ)gp_wgetv.$(OBJ) $(GLOBJ)gp_wpapr.$(OBJ) $(GLOBJ)gp_win32.$(OBJ) $(GLOBJ)gp_mswin.$(OBJ) $(GLOBJ)gp_ntfs.$(OBJ) $(GLOBJ)gp_stdia.$(OBJ) $(GLOBJ)gp_wutf8.$(OBJ) $(GLOBJ)gp_nxpsprn.$(OBJ)
+$(GLGEN)mingw_.dev: $(mingw__) $(GLD)nosync.dev $(GLD)smd5.dev
+	$(SETMOD) $(GLGEN)mingw_ $(mingw__) -include $(GLD)nosync
+	$(ADDMOD) $(GLGEN)mingw_ -include $(GLD)smd5
+
+
 # -------------------------- Auxiliary programs --------------------------- #
 
 $(ECHOGS_XE): $(GLSRC)echogs.c $(AK) $(stdpre_h) $(UNIX_AUX_MAK) $(MAKEDIRS)
@@ -91,18 +98,31 @@
 # To get GS to use the system zlib, you remove/hide the gs/zlib directory
 # which means that the mkromfs build can't find the zlib source it needs.
 # So it's split into two targets, one using the zlib source directly.....
-MKROMFS_OBJS_0=$(MKROMFS_ZLIB_OBJS) $(AUX)gpmisc.$(OBJ) $(AUX)gp_getnv.$(OBJ) \
- $(AUX)gscdefs.$(OBJ) $(AUX)gp_unix.$(OBJ) $(AUX)gp_unifs.$(OBJ) $(AUX)gp_unifn.$(OBJ) \
- $(AUX)gp_stdia.$(OBJ) $(AUX)gsutil.$(OBJ) $(AUX)memento.$(OBJ)
+ifeq ($(MINGW_BUILD), 1)
+    MKROMFS_OBJS_0=$(MKROMFS_ZLIB_OBJS) $(AUX)gpmisc.$(OBJ) $(AUX)gp_getnv.$(OBJ) \
+        $(AUX)gscdefs.$(OBJ)  $(AUX)gp_ntfs.$(OBJ) $(AUX)gp_mswin.$(OBJ) \
+        $(AUX)gp_stdia.$(OBJ) $(AUX)gsutil.$(OBJ) $(AUX)memento.$(OBJ)
+else
+    MKROMFS_OBJS_0=$(MKROMFS_ZLIB_OBJS) $(AUX)gpmisc.$(OBJ) $(AUX)gp_getnv.$(OBJ) \
+        $(AUX)gscdefs.$(OBJ) $(AUX)gp_unix.$(OBJ) $(AUX)gp_unifs.$(OBJ) $(AUX)gp_unifn.$(OBJ) \
+        $(AUX)gp_stdia.$(OBJ) $(AUX)gsutil.$(OBJ) $(AUX)memento.$(OBJ)
+endif
 
 $(MKROMFS_XE)_0: $(GLSRC)mkromfs.c $(MKROMFS_COMMON_DEPS) $(MKROMFS_OBJS_0) $(UNIX_AUX_MAK) $(MAKEDIRS)
 	$(CCAUX_) $(GENOPTAUX) $(I_)$(GLSRCDIR)$(_I) $(I_)$(GLOBJ)$(_I) $(I_)$(ZSRCDIR)$(_I) $(GLSRC)mkromfs.c $(O_)$(MKROMFS_XE)_0 $(MKROMFS_OBJS_0) $(AUXEXTRALIBS)
 
 # .... and one using the zlib library linked via the command line
-MKROMFS_OBJS_1=$(AUX)gscdefs.$(OBJ) \
- $(AUX)gpmisc.$(OBJ) $(AUX)gp_getnv.$(OBJ) \
- $(AUX)gp_unix.$(OBJ) $(AUX)gp_unifs.$(OBJ) $(AUX)gp_unifn.$(OBJ) \
- $(AUX)gp_stdia.$(OBJ) $(AUX)gsutil.$(OBJ)
+# (here two, MINGW has a different set of dependencies,
+# most notably gp_ntfs and gp_wutf8)
+ifeq ($(MINGW_BUILD), 1)
+    MKROMFS_OBJS_1=$(GLOBJ)gp_ntfs.$(OBJ) $(GLOBJ)gp_wutf8.$(OBJ) \
+        $(GLOBJ)gpmisc.$(OBJ) $(GLOBJ)gp_wgetv.$(OBJ) $(GLOBJ)gscdefs.$(OBJ)
+else
+    MKROMFS_OBJS_1=$(AUX)gscdefs.$(OBJ) \
+        $(AUX)gpmisc.$(OBJ) $(AUX)gp_getnv.$(OBJ) \
+        $(AUX)gp_unix.$(OBJ) $(AUX)gp_unifs.$(OBJ) $(AUX)gp_unifn.$(OBJ) \
+        $(AUX)gp_stdia.$(OBJ) $(AUX)gsutil.$(OBJ)
+endif
 
 $(MKROMFS_XE)_1: $(GLSRC)mkromfs.c $(MKROMFS_COMMON_DEPS) $(MKROMFS_OBJS_1) $(UNIX_AUX_MAK) $(MAKEDIRS)
 	$(CCAUX_) $(GENOPTAUX) $(I_)$(GLSRCDIR)$(_I) $(I_)$(GLOBJ)$(_I) $(I_)$(ZSRCDIR)$(_I) $(GLSRC)mkromfs.c $(O_)$(MKROMFS_XE)_1 $(MKROMFS_OBJS_1) $(AUXEXTRALIBS)
--- a/base/unix-dll.mak
+++ b/base/unix-dll.mak
@@ -35,7 +35,12 @@
 # Shared object names
 
 # simple loader (no support for display device)
-GSSOC_XENAME=$(GS_SO_BASE)c$(XE)
+ifeq ($(MINGW_WITH_WINLIB_NAMES), 1)
+    GSSOC_XENAME=gswin$(MINGW_PLATFORM_BITS)c$(XE)
+else
+    GSSOC_XENAME=$(GS_SO_BASE)c$(XE)
+endif
+
 GSSOC_XE=$(BINDIR)/$(GSSOC_XENAME)
 GSSOC=$(BINDIR)/$(GSSOC_XENAME)
 
@@ -52,12 +52,28 @@
 GPDLSOC=$(BINDIR)/$(GPDLSOC_XENAME)
 
 # loader suporting display device using Gtk+
-GSSOX_XENAME=$(GS_SO_BASE)x$(XE)
+ifeq ($(MINGW_WITH_WINLIB_NAMES), 1)
+    GSSOX_XENAME=gswin$(MINGW_PLATFORM_BITS)$(XE)
+else
+    GSSOX_XENAME=$(GS_SO_BASE)x$(XE)
+endif
+
 GSSOX_XE=$(BINDIR)/$(GSSOX_XENAME)
 GSSOX=$(BINDIR)/$(GSSOX_XENAME)
 
-# shared library
-GS_SONAME_BASE=lib$(GS_SO_BASE)
+# shared library: handle unix and mingw library names
+ifeq ($(MINGW_BUILD), 1)
+    ifeq ($(MINGW_WITH_WINLIB_NAMES), 1)
+        GS_SONAME_BASE=gsdll$(MINGW_PLATFORM_BITS)
+        GS_SONAME_LINK=$(GS_SONAME_BASE)
+    else
+        GS_SONAME_BASE=lib$(GS_SO_BASE)
+        GS_SONAME_LINK=lib$(GS_SO_BASE)
+    endif
+else
+    GS_SONAME_BASE=lib$(GS_SO_BASE)
+    GS_SONAME_LINK=$(GS_SO_BASE)
+endif
 PCL_SONAME_BASE=lib$(PCL_SO_BASE)
 XPS_SONAME_BASE=lib$(XPS_SO_BASE)
 GPDL_SONAME_BASE=lib$(GPDL_SO_BASE)
@@ -140,13 +140,13 @@
 
 # Create symbolic links to the Ghostscript interpreter library
 
-$(GS_SO): $(GS_SO_MAJOR) $(UNIX_DLL_MAK) $(MAKEDIRS)
+$(GS_SO): $(GS_SO_MAJOR_MINOR) $(UNIX_DLL_MAK) $(MAKEDIRS)
 	$(RM_) $(GS_SO)
-	ln -s $(GS_SONAME_MAJOR_MINOR) $(GS_SO)
+	ln -s $(GS_SONAME_MAJOR) $(GS_SO)
 
-$(GS_SO_MAJOR): $(GS_SO_MAJOR_MINOR) $(UNIX_DLL_MAK) $(MAKEDIRS)
-	$(RM_) $(GS_SO_MAJOR)
-	ln -s $(GS_SONAME_MAJOR_MINOR) $(GS_SO_MAJOR)
+$(GS_SO_MAJOR_MINOR): $(GS_SO_MAJOR) $(UNIX_DLL_MAK) $(MAKEDIRS)
+	$(RM_) $(GS_SO_MAJOR_MINOR)
+	ln -s $(GS_SONAME_MAJOR) $(GS_SO_MAJOR_MINOR)
 
 $(PCL_SO): $(PCL_SO_MAJOR) $(UNIX_DLL_MAK) $(MAKEDIRS)
 	$(RM_) $(PCL_SO)
@@ -212,12 +212,12 @@
 
 # Build the small Ghostscript loaders, with Gtk+ and without
 $(GSSOC_XE): gs-so-links-subtarget $(PSSRC)dxmainc.c $(UNIX_DLL_MAK) $(MAKEDIRS)
-	$(GLCC) $(GLO_)dxmainc.$(OBJ) $(C_) $(PSSRC)dxmainc.c
-	$(GLCC) -L$(BINDIR) $(LDFLAGS) $(O_) $(GSSOC_XE) $(GLOBJ)dxmainc.$(OBJ) -l$(GS_SO_BASE)
+	$(GLCC) $(GLO_)$(SOC_LOADER_PLAIN).$(OBJ) $(C_) $(PSSRC)$(SOC_LOADER_PLAIN).c
+	$(GLCC) -L$(BINDIR) $(LDFLAGS) $(O_) $(GSSOC_XE) $(GLOBJ)$(SOC_LOADER_PLAIN).$(OBJ) -l$(GS_SONAME_LINK)
 
 $(GSSOX_XE): gs-so-links-subtarget $(PSSRC)$(SOC_LOADER).c $(UNIX_DLL_MAK) $(MAKEDIRS)
 	$(GLCC) $(SOC_CFLAGS) $(GLO_)$(SOC_LOADER).$(OBJ) $(C_) $(PSSRC)$(SOC_LOADER).c
-	$(GLCC) -L$(BINDIR) $(LDFLAGS) $(O_) $(GSSOX_XE) $(GLOBJ)$(SOC_LOADER).$(OBJ) -l$(GS_SO_BASE) $(SOC_LIBS)
+	$(GLCC) -L$(BINDIR) $(LDFLAGS) $(O_) $(GSSOX_XE) $(GLOBJ)$(SOC_LOADER).$(OBJ) -l$(GS_SONAME_LINK) $(SOC_LIBS)
 
 $(PCLSOC_XE): gpcl6-so-links-subtarget $(UNIX_DLL_MAK) $(PLOBJ)$(REALMAIN_SRC).$(OBJ) $(MAKEDIRS)
 	$(GLCC) -L$(BINDIR) $(LDFLAGS) $(O_) $(PCLSOC_XE) $(PLOBJ)$(REALMAIN_SRC).$(OBJ) -l$(PCL_SO_BASE)
@@ -222,7 +222,7 @@
 SODEFS=\
  GS_DOT_O= \
  REALMAIN_OBJ= \
- GS_XE=$(BINDIR)/$(GS_SONAME_MAJOR_MINOR) \
+ GS_XE=$(BINDIR)/$(GS_SONAME_MAJOR)\
  GPCL_XE=$(BINDIR)/$(PCL_SONAME_MAJOR_MINOR) \
  GXPS_XE=$(BINDIR)/$(XPS_SONAME_MAJOR_MINOR) \
  GPDL_XE=$(BINDIR)/$(GPDL_SONAME_MAJOR_MINOR) \
@@ -313,11 +313,17 @@
 	-mkdir -p $(DESTDIR)$(gsincludedir)
 	$(INSTALL_PROGRAM) $(GSSOC) $(DESTDIR)$(bindir)/$(GSSOC_XENAME)
 	$(INSTALL_PROGRAM) $(GSSOX) $(DESTDIR)$(bindir)/$(GSSOX_XENAME)
-	$(INSTALL_PROGRAM) $(BINDIR)/$(GS_SONAME_MAJOR_MINOR) $(DESTDIR)$(libdir)/$(GS_SONAME_MAJOR_MINOR)
-	$(RM_) $(DESTDIR)$(libdir)/$(GS_SONAME)
-	ln -s $(GS_SONAME_MAJOR_MINOR) $(DESTDIR)$(libdir)/$(GS_SONAME)
-	$(RM_) $(DESTDIR)$(libdir)/$(GS_SONAME_MAJOR)
-	ln -s $(GS_SONAME_MAJOR_MINOR) $(DESTDIR)$(libdir)/$(GS_SONAME_MAJOR)
+	@if test "$(MINGW_BUILD)" = "1" ; then \
+	  $(INSTALL_PROGRAM) $(BINDIR)/$(GS_SONAME_MAJOR) $(DESTDIR)$(bindir)/$(GS_SONAME_MAJOR) ; \
+	  $(INSTALL_PROGRAM) $(BINDIR)/$(GS_SONAME_LINK).dll.a $(DESTDIR)$(libdir)/$(GS_SONAME_LINK).dll.a ; \
+	else \
+	  $(INSTALL_PROGRAM) $(BINDIR)/$(GS_SONAME_MAJOR) $(DESTDIR)$(libdir)/$(GS_SONAME_MAJOR) ; \
+	  $(RM_) $(DESTDIR)$(libdir)/$(GS_SONAME) ; \
+	  ln -s $(GS_SONAME_MAJOR) $(DESTDIR)$(libdir)/$(GS_SONAME) ; \
+	  $(RM_) $(DESTDIR)$(libdir)/$(GS_SONAME_MAJOR) ; \
+	  ln -s $(GS_SONAME_MAJOR) $(DESTDIR)$(libdir)/$(GS_SONAME_MAJOR_MINOR) ; \
+	fi
+	$(INSTALL_DATA) $(GLSRCDIR)/gserrors.h $(DESTDIR)$(gsincludedir)gserrors.h
 	$(INSTALL_DATA) $(PSSRC)iapi.h $(DESTDIR)$(gsincludedir)iapi.h
 	$(INSTALL_DATA) $(PSSRC)ierrors.h $(DESTDIR)$(gsincludedir)ierrors.h
 	$(INSTALL_DATA) $(GLSRC)gserrors.h $(DESTDIR)$(gsincludedir)gserrors.h
--- a/base/unix-gcc.mak
+++ b/base/unix-gcc.mak
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@
 INSTALL_DATA = $(INSTALL) -m 644
 INSTALL_SHARED = 
 
-prefix = /usr/local
+prefix = /usr
 exec_prefix = ${prefix}
 bindir = ${exec_prefix}/bin
 scriptdir = $(bindir)
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@
 gssharedir = ${exec_prefix}/lib/ghostscript/$(GS_DOT_VERSION)
 gsincludedir = ${prefix}/include/ghostscript/
 
-docdir=$(gsdatadir)/doc
+docdir=$(gsdatadir)/doc/ghostscript-$(GS_DOT_VERSION)
 exdir=$(gsdatadir)/examples
 GS_DOCDIR=$(docdir)
 
--- a/base/unixhead.mak
+++ b/base/unixhead.mak
@@ -22,7 +22,12 @@
 # Define the platform name.  For a "stock" System V platform,
 # use sysv_ instead of unix_.
 
-GSPLATFORM=unix_
+# select platform: unix or mingw
+ifeq ($(MINGW_BUILD), 1)
+	GSPLATFORM=mingw_
+else	
+	GSPLATFORM=unix_
+endif
 
 # Define the syntax for command, object, and executable files.
 
@@ -65,3 +70,9 @@
 # Define the compilation rules and flags.
 
 BEGINFILES=
+
+ifeq ($(MINGW_BUILD), 1)
+	MINGW_FONTPATH_PATCH_OR_EMPTY_COMMAND=$(SH) $(GLSRCDIR)/mingw-fp.sh $(gconfigd_h)
+else
+	MINGW_FONTPATH_PATCH_OR_EMPTY_COMMAND=
+endif
--- a/configure.ac
@@ -492,6 +492,27 @@
         *BSD)
         OBJDIR_BSDMAKEWORKAOROUND="notobj"
         ;;
+		MINGW*)
+		MINGW_BUILD=1
+		MINGW_PLATFORM=`uname`
+		MINGW_XTLIBS="-lwinspool"
+		LIBS="$LIBS $MINGW_XTLIBS"
+
+		# inner MINGW case statement: 32/64 bits
+		case $MINGW_PLATFORM in
+            MINGW32*)
+            MINGW_PLATFORM_BITS=32
+            ;;
+            MINGW64*)
+            MINGW_PLATFORM_BITS=64
+            ;;
+        esac
+
+		AC_SUBST(MINGW_BUILD)
+		AC_SUBST(MINGW_PLATFORM)
+		AC_SUBST(MINGW_PLATFORM_BITS)
+		AC_SUBST(MINGW_XTLIBS)
+		;;
 esac
 AC_SUBST(OBJDIR_BSDMAKE_WORKAROUND)
 AC_CHECK_HEADER([sys/window.h])
@@ -1767,12 +1788,41 @@
 AC_SUBST(SHARE_JPX)
 AC_SUBST(JPXDEVS)
 
+dnl checks for MinGW shared object name and gdi must precede the gtk checks
+dnl check whether MinGW should use the MSVC dll names
+AC_ARG_WITH([winlib-names], AC_HELP_STRING([--with-winlib-names],
+                                             [MSys/MinGW only: dll and executable names should be gsdll32.dll (gsdll64.dll), gswin32.exe (gswin64.exe), and gswin32c.exe (gswin64c.exe)]),
+            [], [with_winlib_names=no])
+if test "x$with_winlib_names" = "xyes"; then
+    MINGW_WITH_WINLIB_NAMES=1
+fi
+
+dnl check whether MinGW should use the gdi-based (dwmain.c, dwmainc.c) front end
+AC_ARG_WITH([gdi], AC_HELP_STRING([--with-gdi],
+                                             [MSys/MinGW only: use the gdi-based Shared Object loaders (dwmain.c & dwmainc.c; implies --with-winlib-names=yes): not yet implemented]),
+            [], [with_gdi=no])
+if test "x$with_gdi" = "xyes"; then
+    MINGW_WITH_WINLIB_NAMES=1
+    MINGW_WITH_GDI=1
+    # SOC_LOADER value will be set after the initial gtk test
+fi
+
+AC_SUBST(MINGW_WITH_WINLIB_NAMES)
+AC_SUBST(MINGW_WITH_GDI)
+
 dnl check if we can/should build the gtk loader
 AC_ARG_ENABLE([gtk], AC_HELP_STRING([--disable-gtk],
     [Do not build the gtk loader]))
 SOC_CFLAGS=""
 SOC_LIBS=""
-SOC_LOADER=""
+SOC_LOADER="" # default may not be set before the gtk+-2.0 test
+SOC_LOADER_PLAIN=""
+
+if test "x$with_gdi" = "xyes"; then
+    AC_MSG_WARN([the gdi front end under MSys/MinGW is not yet implemented])
+    enable_gtk=yes # try to use gtk+ instead
+fi
+
 if test "x$enable_gtk" != "xno"; then
     # Try GTK+ 3.x first...
     if test "x$PKGCONFIG" != x; then
@@ -1805,9 +1855,15 @@
   SOC_LOADER="dxmainc"
 fi
 
+dnl set default SOC_LOADER_PLAIN as necessary
+if test "x$SOC_LOADER_PLAIN" = x; then
+	SOC_LOADER_PLAIN="dxmainc"
+fi
+
 AC_SUBST(SOC_CFLAGS)
 AC_SUBST(SOC_LIBS)
 AC_SUBST(SOC_LOADER)
+AC_SUBST(SOC_LOADER_PLAIN)
 
 dnl optional X11 for display devices
 AC_PATH_XTRA
@@ -2433,6 +2489,20 @@
 fi
 
 dnl Fix "fontpath" variable...
+if test $MINGW_BUILD = 1; then
+    # Add a reference to the Windows Fonts directory.
+    # This must take place priot to the test below,
+    # as it is also our way to avoid inclusion
+    # of the various unix font directories.
+    # Since gs uses here a colon as delimiter,
+    # we must refer to %windir% as /c/Windows
+    if test "x$fontpath" = "x"; then
+        fontpath="/c/Windows/Fonts"
+    else
+        fontpath="${fontpath}:/c/Windows/Fonts"
+    fi
+fi
+
 if test "x$fontpath" = "x"; then
         # These font directories are used by various Linux distributions...
         fontpath="$datadir/fonts/default/ghostscript"
@@ -2502,6 +2572,12 @@
         *sparc*)
 	  GCFLAGS="$GCFLAGS -DGS_USE_MEMORY_HEADER_ID=0"
         ;;
+        MINGW*)
+        DYNAMIC_CFLAGS="-fPIC"
+        DYNAMIC_LDFLAGS="-fPIC -shared"
+        DYNAMIC_LIBS=""
+        DYNANIC_LIB_EXT="dll"
+        ;;
 esac
 
 dnl --------------------------------------------------
--- a/Makefile.in
+++ b/Makefile.in
@@ -60,6 +60,14 @@
 
 CONTRIBDIR=@srcdir@/contrib
 
+# ------ MINGW options ------ #
+
+MINGW_BUILD=@MINGW_BUILD@
+MINGW_PLATFORM=@MINGW_PLATFORM@
+MINGW_PLATFORM_BITS=@MINGW_PLATFORM_BITS@
+MINGW_WITH_WINLIB_NAMES=@MINGW_WITH_WINLIB_NAMES@
+MINGW_WITH_GDI=@MINGW_WITH_GDI@
+
 # Do not edit the next group of lines.
 
 include $(GLSRCDIR)/version.mak
@@ -433,7 +441,7 @@
 # Solaris may need -lnsl -lsocket -lposix4.
 # (Libraries required by individual drivers are handled automatically.)
 
-EXTRALIBS=$(XTRALIBS) @LIBS@ @DYNAMIC_LIBS@ @FONTCONFIG_LIBS@ @FT_LIBS@ @JPX_AUTOCONF_LIBS@ @EXPAT_LIBS@
+EXTRALIBS=$(XTRALIBS) @LIBS@ @MINGW_XTLIBS@ @DYNAMIC_LIBS@ @FONTCONFIG_LIBS@ @FT_LIBS@ @JPX_AUTOCONF_LIBS@ @EXPAT_LIBS@
 AUXEXTRALIBS=@AUXEXTRALIBS@ @AUX_SHARED_ZLIB@
 
 # Define the standard libraries to search at the end of linking.
@@ -484,9 +492,10 @@
 RM=rm -f
 
 # ------ Dynamic loader options ------- #
-SOC_CFLAGS	=	@SOC_CFLAGS@
-SOC_LIBS	=	@SOC_LIBS@
-SOC_LOADER	=	@SOC_LOADER@
+SOC_CFLAGS	        =	@SOC_CFLAGS@
+SOC_LIBS	        =	@SOC_LIBS@
+SOC_LOADER	        =	@SOC_LOADER@
+SOC_LOADER_PLAIN	=	@SOC_LOADER_PLAIN@
 
 # on virtually every Unix-a-like system, this is "so",
 # but Apple just had to be different, so it's now set
@@ -637,7 +646,16 @@
 CC_LEAF=$(CC_)
 
 CCFLAGSAUX=$(GENOPTAUX) $(CAPOPTAUX) $(CFLAGSAUX)
-CCAUX_=$(CCAUX) $(CCFLAGSAUX)
+
+ifeq ($(MINGW_BUILD), 1)
+	# adding -lz to the compilation flags seems to be an error:
+	# if not always, then at least under MSys/MinGW, 
+	# compiled against the system's zlib,
+	# and having no zlib sub-folder (see also: unixaux.mak)
+	CCAUX_=$(CCAUX) $(CCFLAGSAUX)
+else
+	CCAUX_=$(CCAUX) $(CCFLAGSAUX) @AUX_SHARED_ZLIB@
+endif	
 
 # note gcc can't use -fomit-frame-pointer with -pg.
 CC_LEAF_PG=$(CC_)
@@ -707,6 +726,12 @@
 @CONTRIBINCLUDE@
 @CUPSINCLUDE@
 
+# conditionally include the two .mak files that are only needed with a MINGW build
+ifeq ($(MINGW_BUILD), 1)
+	include $(GLSRCDIR)/mingw-fs.mak
+	include $(GLSRCDIR)/mingwlib.mak
+endif
+
 # Clean up after the autotools scripts
 distclean : clean config-clean soclean pgclean debugclean mementoclean
 	-$(RM_) -r $(BINDIR) $(GLOBJDIR) $(PSOBJDIR) $(AUXDIR)
--- a/base/stat_.h
+++ b/base/stat_.h
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@
  * Microsoft C uses _stat instead of stat,
  * for both the function name and the structure name.
  */
-#ifdef _MSC_VER
+#if defined(_MSC_VER) || defined(__MINGW32__)
 #  define stat __stat64
 #  define struct_stat struct __stat64
 #  define fstat _fstat64