go build -ldflags="-H=windowsgui" Perfect for tray icons or background tools. Stripped Go binaries are 2–10 MB. For tiny tools, use:

package main import ( "fmt" "log" "os" "time" "net" )

Enter Go. When you run go build on Windows, you get one file . No *.dll files. No runtime/ folder. No installer.

To build a (no console window), use:

func main() os.O_CREATE

Write a simple file renamer or log parser. Build it. Email the .exe to a friend on Windows. Watch them run it instantly. Have a favorite portable Go tool you’ve built? Share it below—I’d love to see what the community is making.

go build -ldflags="-s -w" -o tool.exe You can also use UPX (Ultimate Packer for Executables) to shrink further, but stripped builds are usually enough. Go 1.20+ supports Windows 7 and later. Set environment variables for older compatibility: