diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index a2523f6b..56d6ad51 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ env:
   BUILD_TYPE: Release
   # CI optimizations
   CMAKE_BUILD_PARALLEL_LEVEL: 4  # Limit parallel jobs to avoid OOM
+  VCPKG_FORCE_SYSTEM_BINARIES: 1
 
 jobs:
   # ======================================================================================
@@ -326,6 +327,18 @@ jobs:
         with:
           arch: x64
 
+      - name: "Add pkg-config to PATH (Windows)"
+        if: runner.os == 'Windows'
+        shell: pwsh
+        run: |
+          $pkgPath = 'C:\msys64\usr\bin'
+          if (Test-Path $pkgPath) {
+            $pkgPath | Out-File -FilePath $env:GITHUB_PATH -Encoding utf8 -Append
+            Write-Host "Added $pkgPath to PATH"
+          } else {
+            Write-Host "::warning::pkg-config not found at $pkgPath"
+          }
+
       - name: "Free Disk Space (Linux)"
         if: runner.os == 'Linux'
         shell: bash