diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index e6ccf974..74f42622 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -213,11 +213,35 @@ jobs:
         # Install Homebrew dependencies needed for UI tests and full builds
         brew install pkg-config libpng boost abseil ninja
 
+    - name: Set up vcpkg cache (Windows)
+      if: runner.os == 'Windows'
+      uses: actions/cache@v4
+      with:
+        path: |
+          ${{ github.workspace }}/vcpkg
+          ${{ github.workspace }}/vcpkg_installed
+        key: vcpkg-${{ matrix.vcpkg_triplet }}-${{ hashFiles('vcpkg.json') }}
+        restore-keys: |
+          vcpkg-${{ matrix.vcpkg_triplet }}-
+
     - name: Set up vcpkg (Windows)
       if: runner.os == 'Windows'
       uses: lukka/run-vcpkg@v11
       with:
         vcpkgGitCommitId: 'c8696863d371ab7f46e213d8f5ca923c4aef2a00'
+        runVcpkgInstall: true
+        vcpkgJsonGlob: '**/vcpkg.json'
+        vcpkgDirectory: '${{ github.workspace }}/vcpkg'
+
+    - name: Verify vcpkg dependencies (Windows)
+      if: runner.os == 'Windows'
+      run: |
+        echo "Checking installed vcpkg packages..."
+        ${{ github.workspace }}/vcpkg/vcpkg.exe list
+        echo "Checking for zlib specifically..."
+        ${{ github.workspace }}/vcpkg/vcpkg.exe list | findstr zlib || echo "zlib not found!"
+        echo "vcpkg integration status:"
+        ${{ github.workspace }}/vcpkg/vcpkg.exe integrate install
 
     # Configure CMake
     - name: Configure CMake (Linux/macOS)