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Remove Windows GNU and MinGW support after the MSVC release gates pass #626

Description

@LunaStev

Part of #611. Difficulty: high. Audit baseline: master 3950416e (2026-09-12).

Current evidence

Windows GNU triples remain in llvm/src/codegen/target.rs, with driver/backend paths in src/cli.rs and MinGW toolchain/package settings in x.py, .cargo/config.toml and workflows. The requested next-release end state is MSVC-only Windows support.

Scope

Perform the final bounded retirement after the migration tracker gates pass: remove Windows GNU target registrations/aliases, linker/startup discovery, Windows-specific GNU Cargo configuration, obsolete release inputs and CI provisioning. Reject retired triples with a clear replacement message. Update retained tests to equivalent MSVC coverage before deleting obsolete GNU-only harness code.

Completion criteria

The supported Windows target list contains MSVC x64/ARM64 only; old Windows GNU commands fail with migration guidance. No active Windows build, package or execution job installs/requires MinGW, GCC, GNU Rust or its runtimes. All meaningful case/ABI behavior remains covered. Linux GNU, other non-Windows GNU targets, Linux LoongArch64 and unrelated inline assembly remain intact. Existing historical issues/PRs and user-owned mirror.yml are not rewritten or removed. Review documentation via #401 and the tracker.

Dependencies and boundaries

Final step after #625, #621, #624, #623, #615, #616, #617, #618, #619, #614, #620. This supersedes the earlier retain-GNU restriction in #498 only at this gated cutover; it is not authorization to remove support in prerequisite patches.

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    backward compatibilityIssues related to backward compatibility with older versions.help wantedThe issue requires extra attention or help from others.migrationIssues related to migrating from older systems or versions.technical debtIssues that represent potential future improvements or problems.

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