Improve Windows dev environment documentation

windows/README.md

@@ -5,4 +5,33 @@
 Some of the development helpers rely on `bash` being available. You can use the
 version provided by the official `git` installer.
 
+For the quickest way to get started developing in Windows, use WinPython rather
+than Anaconda or Miniconda. Some users report impossible dependency/build
+headaches when initializing a development environment starting from a base
+Miniconda3 installation that is otherwise working. WinPython is available here:
+
+- https://winpython.github.io/
+
+Make sure that you select a 64-bit Python release that is >= 3.6. The smallest
+available package is fine (the "dot" version with only the bare minimum required
+to run Python) since `tox` handles dependencies. However, you will need to
+install `tox` using `pip` once before proceeding.
+
 See the [developer guide](../doc/developer_guide.md) for the rest of the steps.
+
+## Special consideration for `plover-stroke` development
+
+If you are intending to develop specifically inside the `plover-stroke` module,
+you will also need Microsoft Build Tools and an SDK appropriate for your
+operating system. This is because the `plover-stroke` module contains C code
+rather than just native Python code. The Microsoft Build Tools installer is
+available here:
+
+- https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/visual-cpp-build-tools/
+
+When you run the installer, make sure you select both the SDK for your
+Windows version and the build tools for it (e.g. Windows 10 SDK, MSVC v142).
+You will also need to run the appropriate `vcvars64.bat` file from the build
+tools installation inside of your Python environment to establish the correct
+paths, which is found in a subfolder of
+`\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\`.