Build Lineup

These Windows builds of XChat are listed by activity and the builder's name or organization. Unless otherwise specified, builds listed are unofficial, free (available at no cost, built with code licensed under the GPL), and have plugin capability. Included scripting language and other plugins are listed. Plugins are compatible with any build.

Starting in XChat 2.8.6, builds other than the official build will appear as YChat.

If you know of or are participating in a build not listed, please let us know at #xchat @ freenode

Active builds

feature\build	Zed (official)	zerostress	SilvereX	Pu7o 64-bit
Latest	2.8.7f	2.8.6	2.8.6-2	2.8.6
Release Date	2009-08-16	2008-12-03	2009-03-08	2008-10-28
GTK	static	dynamic	shared	dynamic
Scripting	Perl, Python, Tcl	-	Perl, Tcl, Ruby	Perl, Python, TCL
Plugins	exec, dns	-	exec, dns, Winamp	dns
Other	$20 w/ free trial, SSL, DCC64, DCC server, spelling, emoticons, faster text rendering, and more...	-	SSL, ipv6	Only works on win-64

Discontinued builds

feature\build	Sergio	Daemon404	Psyon
latest	2.6.8-3s	2.6.2	2.4.1
GTK	static	static	dynamic
scripting	Perl, Python, Tcl, Ruby	Perl, Python, Tcl, Ruby	-
plugins	dns, xTray, Winamp	exec, dns, xTray, Winamp, uptime	-
other	SSL	SSL, DCC64, DCC server	-

Information for Windows Builds

"Dynamic GTK": means that GTK libraries are separate from XChat. Dynamic GTK can be shared: installed separately and used by applications other than XChat; or included with XChat: able to be updated separately from the main program and shielded from changes in any shared GTK or other application.
"Static GTK": means that no separate installation is required.

The interface has a more-native appearance and feel more responsive than with dynamic GTK.

Static builds do not suffer from some of the visual bugs present in other builds.

Support for "DCC64" means that DCC transfers can be used for large (multiple gigs) files. Support for a "DCC server" means that other clients can be allowed to request and automatically download files of your choosing (usually accessed through the /dccserver command).

Obsidian² fserve (DCC file server), a Perl script, is available from ender`.

For technical guides, try SilvereX's "Hackers Guide" to compiling XChat, or (older) Pu7o's "Guide to compiling XChat using MiniGTK" and Daemon404's "Guide to Compiling MiniGTK".