Reimplement kill_python. The existing version had a number of flaws, namely, it didn't work for x64 and it wasn't precise about which python_d.exe it was killing -- it just killed the first one it came across that happened to have 'pcbuild\python_d.exe' or 'build\python_d.exe' in it's path. The new version has been rewritten from the ground up and now lives in PCbuild, instead of Tools\buildbot, and it has also been incorporated into the Visual Studio solution (pcbuild.sln) as 'kill_python'. The solution has also been altered such that kill_python is called where necessary in the build process in order to prevent any linking errors due to open file locks. In lieu of this, all of the existing bits and pieces in Tools\buildbot that called out to kill_python at various points have also been removed as they are now obsolete. Tested on both Win32 and x64.

Change set (included to improve usefulness of svnmerge log entry):
M      PCbuild\pythoncore.vcproj
M      PCbuild\pcbuild.sln
M      PCbuild\release.vsprops
A      PCbuild\kill_python.vcproj
M      PCbuild\debug.vsprops
A      PCbuild\kill_python.c
D      Tools\buildbot\kill_python.bat
D      Tools\buildbot\kill_python.mak
M      Tools\buildbot\build.bat
D      Tools\buildbot\Makefile
M      Tools\buildbot\build-amd64.bat
M      Tools\buildbot\buildmsi.bat
D      Tools\buildbot\kill_python.c

13 files changed, 513 insertions, 99 deletions

diff --git a/PCbuild/debug.vsprops b/PCbuild/debug.vsprops
index 59acd90..2be7f74 100644
--- a/PCbuild/debug.vsprops
+++ b/PCbuild/debug.vsprops
@@ -8,4 +8,8 @@
 		Name="VCCLCompilerTool"
 		PreprocessorDefinitions="_DEBUG"
 	/>
-</VisualStudioPropertySheet>
\ No newline at end of file
+	<UserMacro
+		Name="KillPythonExe"
+		Value="$(OutDir)\kill_python_d.exe"
+	/>
+</VisualStudioPropertySheet>
diff --git a/PCbuild/kill_python.c b/PCbuild/kill_python.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7fd4d94
--- /dev/null
+++ b/PCbuild/kill_python.c
@@ -0,0 +1,174 @@
+/*

+ * Helper program for killing lingering python[_d].exe processes before

+ * building, thus attempting to avoid build failures due to files being

+ * locked.

+ */

+

+#include <windows.h>

+#include <wchar.h>

+#include <tlhelp32.h>

+#include <stdio.h>

+

+#pragma comment(lib, "psapi")

+

+#ifdef _DEBUG

+#define PYTHON_EXE          (L"python_d.exe")

+#define PYTHON_EXE_LEN      (12)

+#define KILL_PYTHON_EXE     (L"kill_python_d.exe")

+#define KILL_PYTHON_EXE_LEN (17)

+#else

+#define PYTHON_EXE          (L"python.exe")

+#define PYTHON_EXE_LEN      (10)

+#define KILL_PYTHON_EXE     (L"kill_python.exe")

+#define KILL_PYTHON_EXE_LEN (15)

+#endif

+

+int

+main(int argc, char **argv)

+{

+    HANDLE   hp, hsp, hsm; /* process, snapshot processes, snapshot modules */

+    DWORD    dac, our_pid;

+    size_t   len;

+    wchar_t  path[MAX_PATH+1];

+

+    MODULEENTRY32W  me;

+    PROCESSENTRY32W pe;

+

+    me.dwSize = sizeof(MODULEENTRY32W);

+    pe.dwSize = sizeof(PROCESSENTRY32W);

+

+    memset(path, 0, MAX_PATH+1);

+

+    our_pid = GetCurrentProcessId();

+

+    hsm = CreateToolhelp32Snapshot(TH32CS_SNAPMODULE, our_pid);

+    if (hsm == INVALID_HANDLE_VALUE) {

+        printf("CreateToolhelp32Snapshot[1] failed: %d\n", GetLastError());

+        return 1;

+    }

+

+    if (!Module32FirstW(hsm, &me)) {

+        printf("Module32FirstW[1] failed: %d\n", GetLastError());

+        CloseHandle(hsm);

+        return 1;

+    }

+

+    /*

+     * Enumerate over the modules for the current process in order to find

+     * kill_process[_d].exe, then take a note of the directory it lives in.

+     */

+    do {

+        if (_wcsnicmp(me.szModule, KILL_PYTHON_EXE, KILL_PYTHON_EXE_LEN))

+            continue;

+

+        len = wcsnlen_s(me.szExePath, MAX_PATH) - KILL_PYTHON_EXE_LEN;

+        wcsncpy_s(path, MAX_PATH+1, me.szExePath, len); 

+

+        break;

+

+    } while (Module32NextW(hsm, &me));

+

+    CloseHandle(hsm);

+

+    if (path == NULL) {

+        printf("failed to discern directory of running process\n");

+        return 1;

+    }

+

+    /*

+     * Take a snapshot of system processes.  Enumerate over the snapshot,

+     * looking for python processes.  When we find one, verify it lives

+     * in the same directory we live in.  If it does, kill it.  If we're

+     * unable to kill it, treat this as a fatal error and return 1.

+     * 

+     * The rationale behind this is that we're called at the start of the 

+     * build process on the basis that we'll take care of killing any

+     * running instances, such that the build won't encounter permission

+     * denied errors during linking. If we can't kill one of the processes,

+     * we can't provide this assurance, and the build shouldn't start.

+     */

+

+    hsp = CreateToolhelp32Snapshot(TH32CS_SNAPPROCESS, 0);

+    if (hsp == INVALID_HANDLE_VALUE) {

+        printf("CreateToolhelp32Snapshot[2] failed: %d\n", GetLastError());

+        return 1;

+    }

+

+    if (!Process32FirstW(hsp, &pe)) {

+        printf("Process32FirstW failed: %d\n", GetLastError());

+        CloseHandle(hsp);

+        return 1;

+    }

+

+    dac = PROCESS_QUERY_INFORMATION | PROCESS_VM_READ | PROCESS_TERMINATE;

+    do {

+

+        /*

+         * XXX TODO: if we really wanted to be fancy, we could check the 

+         * modules for all processes (not just the python[_d].exe ones)

+         * and see if any of our DLLs are loaded (i.e. python30[_d].dll),

+         * as that would also inhibit our ability to rebuild the solution.

+         * Not worth loosing sleep over though; for now, a simple check 

+         * for just the python executable should be sufficient.

+         */

+

+        if (_wcsnicmp(pe.szExeFile, PYTHON_EXE, PYTHON_EXE_LEN))

+            /* This isn't a python process. */

+            continue;

+

+        /* It's a python process, so figure out which directory it's in... */

+        hsm = CreateToolhelp32Snapshot(TH32CS_SNAPMODULE, pe.th32ProcessID);

+        if (hsm == INVALID_HANDLE_VALUE) {

+            printf("CreateToolhelp32Snapshot[3] failed: %d\n", GetLastError());

+            CloseHandle(hsp);

+            return 1;

+        }

+

+        if (!Module32FirstW(hsm, &me)) {

+            printf("Module32FirstW[2] failed: %d\n", GetLastError());

+            CloseHandle(hsp);

+            CloseHandle(hsm);

+            return 1;

+        }

+

+        do {

+            if (_wcsnicmp(me.szModule, PYTHON_EXE, PYTHON_EXE_LEN))

+                /* Wrong module, we're looking for python[_d].exe... */

+                continue;

+

+            if (_wcsnicmp(path, me.szExePath, len))

+                /* Process doesn't live in our directory. */

+                break;

+

+            /* Python process residing in the right directory, kill it!  */

+            hp = OpenProcess(dac, FALSE, pe.th32ProcessID);

+            if (!hp) {

+                printf("OpenProcess failed: %d\n", GetLastError());

+                CloseHandle(hsp);

+                CloseHandle(hsm);

+                return 1;

+            }

+

+            if (!TerminateProcess(hp, 1)) {

+                printf("TerminateProcess failed: %d\n", GetLastError());

+                CloseHandle(hsp);

+                CloseHandle(hsm);

+                CloseHandle(hp);

+                return 1;

+            }

+

+            CloseHandle(hp);

+            break;

+

+        } while (Module32NextW(hsm, &me));

+

+        CloseHandle(hsm);

+

+    } while (Process32NextW(hsp, &pe));

+

+    CloseHandle(hsp);

+

+    return 0;

+}

+

+/* vi: set ts=8 sw=4 sts=4 expandtab */

diff --git a/PCbuild/kill_python.vcproj b/PCbuild/kill_python.vcproj
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9f21ad5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/PCbuild/kill_python.vcproj
@@ -0,0 +1,285 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="Windows-1252"?>

+<VisualStudioProject

+	ProjectType="Visual C++"

+	Version="9.00"

+	Name="kill_python"

+	ProjectGUID="{6DE10744-E396-40A5-B4E2-1B69AA7C8D31}"

+	RootNamespace="kill_python"

+	Keyword="Win32Proj"

+	TargetFrameworkVersion="196613"

+	>

+	<Platforms>

+		<Platform

+			Name="Win32"

+		/>

+		<Platform

+			Name="x64"

+		/>

+	</Platforms>

+	<ToolFiles>

+	</ToolFiles>

+	<Configurations>

+		<Configuration

+			Name="Debug|Win32"

+			ConfigurationType="1"

+			InheritedPropertySheets=".\pyproject.vsprops;.\debug.vsprops"

+			CharacterSet="0"

+			>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCPreBuildEventTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCCustomBuildTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCXMLDataGeneratorTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCWebServiceProxyGeneratorTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCMIDLTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCCLCompilerTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCManagedResourceCompilerTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCResourceCompilerTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCPreLinkEventTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCLinkerTool"

+				SubSystem="1"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCALinkTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCManifestTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCXDCMakeTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCBscMakeTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCFxCopTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCAppVerifierTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCPostBuildEventTool"

+				Description="Killing existing Python processes..."

+				CommandLine="&quot;$(KillPythonExe)&quot;"

+			/>

+		</Configuration>

+		<Configuration

+			Name="Debug|x64"

+			ConfigurationType="1"

+			InheritedPropertySheets=".\pyproject.vsprops;.\debug.vsprops;.\x64.vsprops"

+			CharacterSet="0"

+			>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCPreBuildEventTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCCustomBuildTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCXMLDataGeneratorTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCWebServiceProxyGeneratorTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCMIDLTool"

+				TargetEnvironment="3"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCCLCompilerTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCManagedResourceCompilerTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCResourceCompilerTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCPreLinkEventTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCLinkerTool"

+				SubSystem="1"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCALinkTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCManifestTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCXDCMakeTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCBscMakeTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCFxCopTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCAppVerifierTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCPostBuildEventTool"

+				Description="Killing existing Python processes..."

+				CommandLine="&quot;$(KillPythonExe)&quot;"

+			/>

+		</Configuration>

+		<Configuration

+			Name="Release|Win32"

+			ConfigurationType="1"

+			InheritedPropertySheets=".\pyproject.vsprops;.\release.vsprops"

+			CharacterSet="0"

+			WholeProgramOptimization="1"

+			>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCPreBuildEventTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCCustomBuildTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCXMLDataGeneratorTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCWebServiceProxyGeneratorTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCMIDLTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCCLCompilerTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCManagedResourceCompilerTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCResourceCompilerTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCPreLinkEventTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCLinkerTool"

+				SubSystem="1"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCALinkTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCManifestTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCXDCMakeTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCBscMakeTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCFxCopTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCAppVerifierTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCPostBuildEventTool"

+				Description="Killing existing Python processes..."

+				CommandLine="&quot;$(KillPythonExe)&quot;"

+			/>

+		</Configuration>

+		<Configuration

+			Name="Release|x64"

+			ConfigurationType="1"

+			InheritedPropertySheets=".\pyproject.vsprops;.\release.vsprops;.\x64.vsprops"

+			CharacterSet="0"

+			WholeProgramOptimization="1"

+			>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCPreBuildEventTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCCustomBuildTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCXMLDataGeneratorTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCWebServiceProxyGeneratorTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCMIDLTool"

+				TargetEnvironment="3"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCCLCompilerTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCManagedResourceCompilerTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCResourceCompilerTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCPreLinkEventTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCLinkerTool"

+				SubSystem="1"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCALinkTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCManifestTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCXDCMakeTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCBscMakeTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCFxCopTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCAppVerifierTool"

+			/>

+			<Tool

+				Name="VCPostBuildEventTool"

+				Description="Killing existing Python processes..."

+				CommandLine="&quot;$(KillPythonExe)&quot;"

+			/>

+		</Configuration>

+	</Configurations>

+	<References>

+	</References>

+	<Files>

+		<Filter

+			Name="Source Files"

+			>

+			<File

+				RelativePath=".\kill_python.c"

+				>

+			</File>

+		</Filter>

+	</Files>

+	<Globals>

+	</Globals>

+</VisualStudioProject>

diff --git a/PCbuild/pcbuild.sln b/PCbuild/pcbuild.sln
index 6838d62..a12c055 100644
--- a/PCbuild/pcbuild.sln
+++ b/PCbuild/pcbuild.sln
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ EndProject
 Project("{8BC9CEB8-8B4A-11D0-8D11-00A0C91BC942}") = "pythoncore", "pythoncore.vcproj", "{CF7AC3D1-E2DF-41D2-BEA6-1E2556CDEA26}"
 	ProjectSection(ProjectDependencies) = postProject
 		{F0E0541E-F17D-430B-97C4-93ADF0DD284E} = {F0E0541E-F17D-430B-97C4-93ADF0DD284E}
+		{6DE10744-E396-40A5-B4E2-1B69AA7C8D31} = {6DE10744-E396-40A5-B4E2-1B69AA7C8D31}
 		{C73F0EC1-358B-4177-940F-0846AC8B04CD} = {C73F0EC1-358B-4177-940F-0846AC8B04CD}
 	EndProjectSection
 EndProject
@@ -20,6 +21,9 @@ Project("{8BC9CEB8-8B4A-11D0-8D11-00A0C91BC942}") = "pythonw", "pythonw.vcproj",
 	EndProjectSection
 EndProject
 Project("{8BC9CEB8-8B4A-11D0-8D11-00A0C91BC942}") = "w9xpopen", "w9xpopen.vcproj", "{E9E0A1F6-0009-4E8C-B8F8-1B8F5D49A058}"
+	ProjectSection(ProjectDependencies) = postProject
+		{6DE10744-E396-40A5-B4E2-1B69AA7C8D31} = {6DE10744-E396-40A5-B4E2-1B69AA7C8D31}
+	EndProjectSection
 EndProject
 Project("{8BC9CEB8-8B4A-11D0-8D11-00A0C91BC942}") = "make_buildinfo", "make_buildinfo.vcproj", "{C73F0EC1-358B-4177-940F-0846AC8B04CD}"
 EndProject
@@ -36,6 +40,7 @@ Project("{8BC9CEB8-8B4A-11D0-8D11-00A0C91BC942}") = "winsound", "winsound.vcproj
 EndProject
 Project("{8BC9CEB8-8B4A-11D0-8D11-00A0C91BC942}") = "_bsddb", "_bsddb.vcproj", "{B4D38F3F-68FB-42EC-A45D-E00657BB3627}"
 	ProjectSection(ProjectDependencies) = postProject
+		{6DE10744-E396-40A5-B4E2-1B69AA7C8D31} = {6DE10744-E396-40A5-B4E2-1B69AA7C8D31}
 		{62172C7D-B39E-409A-B352-370FF5098C19} = {62172C7D-B39E-409A-B352-370FF5098C19}
 		{CF7AC3D1-E2DF-41D2-BEA6-1E2556CDEA26} = {CF7AC3D1-E2DF-41D2-BEA6-1E2556CDEA26}
 	EndProjectSection
@@ -117,8 +122,16 @@ Project("{8BC9CEB8-8B4A-11D0-8D11-00A0C91BC942}") = "_hashlib", "_hashlib.vcproj
 	EndProjectSection
 EndProject
 Project("{8BC9CEB8-8B4A-11D0-8D11-00A0C91BC942}") = "_bsddb44", "_bsddb44.vcproj", "{62172C7D-B39E-409A-B352-370FF5098C19}"
+	ProjectSection(ProjectDependencies) = postProject
+		{6DE10744-E396-40A5-B4E2-1B69AA7C8D31} = {6DE10744-E396-40A5-B4E2-1B69AA7C8D31}
+	EndProjectSection
 EndProject
 Project("{8BC9CEB8-8B4A-11D0-8D11-00A0C91BC942}") = "sqlite3", "sqlite3.vcproj", "{A1A295E5-463C-437F-81CA-1F32367685DA}"
+	ProjectSection(ProjectDependencies) = postProject
+		{6DE10744-E396-40A5-B4E2-1B69AA7C8D31} = {6DE10744-E396-40A5-B4E2-1B69AA7C8D31}
+	EndProjectSection
+EndProject
+Project("{8BC9CEB8-8B4A-11D0-8D11-00A0C91BC942}") = "kill_python", "kill_python.vcproj", "{6DE10744-E396-40A5-B4E2-1B69AA7C8D31}"
 EndProject
 Global
 	GlobalSection(SolutionConfigurationPlatforms) = preSolution
@@ -524,6 +537,22 @@ Global
 		{A1A295E5-463C-437F-81CA-1F32367685DA}.Release|Win32.Build.0 = Release|Win32
 		{A1A295E5-463C-437F-81CA-1F32367685DA}.Release|x64.ActiveCfg = Release|x64
 		{A1A295E5-463C-437F-81CA-1F32367685DA}.Release|x64.Build.0 = Release|x64
+		{6DE10744-E396-40A5-B4E2-1B69AA7C8D31}.Debug|Win32.ActiveCfg = Debug|Win32
+		{6DE10744-E396-40A5-B4E2-1B69AA7C8D31}.Debug|Win32.Build.0 = Debug|Win32
+		{6DE10744-E396-40A5-B4E2-1B69AA7C8D31}.Debug|x64.ActiveCfg = Debug|x64
+		{6DE10744-E396-40A5-B4E2-1B69AA7C8D31}.Debug|x64.Build.0 = Debug|x64
+		{6DE10744-E396-40A5-B4E2-1B69AA7C8D31}.PGInstrument|Win32.ActiveCfg = Release|Win32
+		{6DE10744-E396-40A5-B4E2-1B69AA7C8D31}.PGInstrument|Win32.Build.0 = Release|Win32
+		{6DE10744-E396-40A5-B4E2-1B69AA7C8D31}.PGInstrument|x64.ActiveCfg = Release|x64
+		{6DE10744-E396-40A5-B4E2-1B69AA7C8D31}.PGInstrument|x64.Build.0 = Release|x64
+		{6DE10744-E396-40A5-B4E2-1B69AA7C8D31}.PGUpdate|Win32.ActiveCfg = Release|Win32
+		{6DE10744-E396-40A5-B4E2-1B69AA7C8D31}.PGUpdate|Win32.Build.0 = Release|Win32
+		{6DE10744-E396-40A5-B4E2-1B69AA7C8D31}.PGUpdate|x64.ActiveCfg = Release|x64
+		{6DE10744-E396-40A5-B4E2-1B69AA7C8D31}.PGUpdate|x64.Build.0 = Release|x64
+		{6DE10744-E396-40A5-B4E2-1B69AA7C8D31}.Release|Win32.ActiveCfg = Release|Win32
+		{6DE10744-E396-40A5-B4E2-1B69AA7C8D31}.Release|Win32.Build.0 = Release|Win32
+		{6DE10744-E396-40A5-B4E2-1B69AA7C8D31}.Release|x64.ActiveCfg = Release|x64
+		{6DE10744-E396-40A5-B4E2-1B69AA7C8D31}.Release|x64.Build.0 = Release|x64
 	EndGlobalSection
 	GlobalSection(SolutionProperties) = preSolution
 		HideSolutionNode = FALSE
diff --git a/PCbuild/pythoncore.vcproj b/PCbuild/pythoncore.vcproj
index 3d3601a..5e14ef7 100644
--- a/PCbuild/pythoncore.vcproj
+++ b/PCbuild/pythoncore.vcproj
@@ -58,8 +58,8 @@
 			/>
 			<Tool
 				Name="VCPreLinkEventTool"
-				Description="generate buildinfo"
-				CommandLine="&quot;$(SolutionDir)make_buildinfo.exe&quot; $(ConfigurationName)"
+				Description="Generate build information and kill existing Python processes..."
+				CommandLine="&quot;$(SolutionDir)make_buildinfo.exe&quot; Release&#x0D;&#x0A;&quot;$(KillPythonExe)&quot;"
 			/>
 			<Tool
 				Name="VCLinkerTool"
@@ -133,8 +133,8 @@
 			/>
 			<Tool
 				Name="VCPreLinkEventTool"
-				Description="generate buildinfo"
-				CommandLine="$(SolutionDir)make_buildinfo.exe $(ConfigurationName)"
+				Description="Generate build information and kill existing Python processes..."
+				CommandLine="&quot;$(SolutionDir)make_buildinfo.exe&quot; Release&#x0D;&#x0A;&quot;$(KillPythonExe)&quot;"
 			/>
 			<Tool
 				Name="VCLinkerTool"
@@ -211,8 +211,8 @@
 			/>
 			<Tool
 				Name="VCPreLinkEventTool"
-				Description="generate buildinfo"
-				CommandLine="&quot;$(SolutionDir)make_buildinfo.exe&quot; $(ConfigurationName)"
+				Description="Generate build information and kill existing Python processes..."
+				CommandLine="&quot;$(SolutionDir)make_buildinfo.exe&quot; Debug&#x0D;&#x0A;&quot;$(KillPythonExe)&quot;"
 			/>
 			<Tool
 				Name="VCLinkerTool"
@@ -289,8 +289,8 @@
 			/>
 			<Tool
 				Name="VCPreLinkEventTool"
-				Description="generate buildinfo"
-				CommandLine="$(SolutionDir)make_buildinfo.exe $(ConfigurationName)"
+				Description="Generate build information and kill existing Python processes..."
+				CommandLine="&quot;$(SolutionDir)make_buildinfo.exe&quot; Debug&#x0D;&#x0A;&quot;$(KillPythonExe)&quot;"
 			/>
 			<Tool
 				Name="VCLinkerTool"
@@ -363,8 +363,8 @@
 			/>
 			<Tool
 				Name="VCPreLinkEventTool"
-				Description="generate buildinfo"
-				CommandLine="$(SolutionDir)make_buildinfo.exe Release"
+				Description="Generate build information and kill existing Python processes..."
+				CommandLine="&quot;$(SolutionDir)make_buildinfo.exe&quot; Release&#x0D;&#x0A;&quot;$(KillPythonExe)&quot;"
 			/>
 			<Tool
 				Name="VCLinkerTool"
@@ -438,8 +438,8 @@
 			/>
 			<Tool
 				Name="VCPreLinkEventTool"
-				Description="generate buildinfo"
-				CommandLine="$(SolutionDir)make_buildinfo.exe $(ConfigurationName)"
+				Description="Generate build information and kill existing Python processes..."
+				CommandLine="&quot;$(SolutionDir)make_buildinfo.exe&quot; Release&#x0D;&#x0A;&quot;$(KillPythonExe)&quot;"
 			/>
 			<Tool
 				Name="VCLinkerTool"
@@ -513,8 +513,8 @@
 			/>
 			<Tool
 				Name="VCPreLinkEventTool"
-				Description="generate buildinfo"
-				CommandLine="$(SolutionDir)make_buildinfo.exe Release"
+				Description="Generate build information and kill existing Python processes..."
+				CommandLine="&quot;$(SolutionDir)make_buildinfo.exe&quot; Release&#x0D;&#x0A;&quot;$(KillPythonExe)&quot;"
 			/>
 			<Tool
 				Name="VCLinkerTool"
@@ -588,8 +588,8 @@
 			/>
 			<Tool
 				Name="VCPreLinkEventTool"
-				Description="generate buildinfo"
-				CommandLine="$(SolutionDir)make_buildinfo.exe $(ConfigurationName)"
+				Description="Generate build information and kill existing Python processes..."
+				CommandLine="&quot;$(SolutionDir)make_buildinfo.exe&quot; Release&#x0D;&#x0A;&quot;$(KillPythonExe)&quot;"
 			/>
 			<Tool
 				Name="VCLinkerTool"
diff --git a/PCbuild/release.vsprops b/PCbuild/release.vsprops
index 4bbda68..6d6842d 100644
--- a/PCbuild/release.vsprops
+++ b/PCbuild/release.vsprops
@@ -8,4 +8,8 @@
 		Name="VCCLCompilerTool"
 		PreprocessorDefinitions="NDEBUG"
 	/>
+	<UserMacro
+		Name="KillPythonExe"
+		Value="$(OutDir)\kill_python.exe"
+	/>	
 </VisualStudioPropertySheet>
diff --git a/Tools/buildbot/Makefile b/Tools/buildbot/Makefile
deleted file mode 100644
index 1660231..0000000
--- a/Tools/buildbot/Makefile
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,6 +0,0 @@
-all:	kill_python.exe
-	./kill_python.exe
-
-kill_python.exe:	kill_python.c
-	gcc -o kill_python.exe kill_python.c -lpsapi
-
diff --git a/Tools/buildbot/build-amd64.bat b/Tools/buildbot/build-amd64.bat
index 0425d19..1d828eb 100644
--- a/Tools/buildbot/build-amd64.bat
+++ b/Tools/buildbot/build-amd64.bat
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 @rem Used by the buildbot "compile" step.
 cmd /c Tools\buildbot\external-amd64.bat
 call "%VS90COMNTOOLS%\..\..\VC\vcvarsall.bat" x86_amd64
-REM cmd /q/c Tools\buildbot\kill_python.bat
 cmd /c Tools\buildbot\clean-amd64.bat
 vcbuild PCbuild\pcbuild.sln "Debug|x64"
diff --git a/Tools/buildbot/build.bat b/Tools/buildbot/build.bat
index 5087981..6bac3ed 100644
--- a/Tools/buildbot/build.bat
+++ b/Tools/buildbot/build.bat
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 @rem Used by the buildbot "compile" step.
 cmd /c Tools\buildbot\external.bat
 call "%VS90COMNTOOLS%vsvars32.bat"
-cmd /q/c Tools\buildbot\kill_python.bat
 cmd /c Tools\buildbot\clean.bat
 vcbuild /useenv PCbuild\pcbuild.sln "Debug|Win32"
 
diff --git a/Tools/buildbot/buildmsi.bat b/Tools/buildbot/buildmsi.bat
index 249a8d0..5625d65 100644
--- a/Tools/buildbot/buildmsi.bat
+++ b/Tools/buildbot/buildmsi.bat
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ cmd /c Tools\buildbot\external.bat
 call "%VS90COMNTOOLS%vsvars32.bat"
 
 @rem build Python
-cmd /q/c Tools\buildbot\kill_python.bat
 vcbuild /useenv PCbuild\pcbuild.sln "Release|Win32"
 
 @rem build the documentation
diff --git a/Tools/buildbot/kill_python.bat b/Tools/buildbot/kill_python.bat
deleted file mode 100644
index d78b6d4..0000000
--- a/Tools/buildbot/kill_python.bat
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,3 +0,0 @@
-cd Tools\buildbot
-nmake /C /S /f kill_python.mak
-kill_python.exe
diff --git a/Tools/buildbot/kill_python.c b/Tools/buildbot/kill_python.c
deleted file mode 100644
index 5ba450f..0000000
--- a/Tools/buildbot/kill_python.c
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,68 +0,0 @@
-/* This program looks for processes which have build\PCbuild\python.exe
-   in their path and terminates them. */
-#include <windows.h>
-#include <psapi.h>
-#include <stdio.h>
-
-int main()
-{
-	DWORD pids[1024], cbNeeded;
-	int i, num_processes;
-	if (!EnumProcesses(pids, sizeof(pids), &cbNeeded)) {
-		printf("EnumProcesses failed\n");
-		return 1;
-	}
-	num_processes = cbNeeded/sizeof(pids[0]);
-	for (i = 0; i < num_processes; i++) {
-		HANDLE hProcess;
-		char path[MAX_PATH];
-		HMODULE mods[1024];
-		int k, num_mods;
-		hProcess = OpenProcess(PROCESS_QUERY_INFORMATION 
-					| PROCESS_VM_READ 
-					|  PROCESS_TERMINATE ,
-					FALSE, pids[i]);
-		if (!hProcess)
-			/* process not accessible */
-			continue;
-		if (!EnumProcessModules(hProcess, mods, sizeof(mods), &cbNeeded)) {
-			/* For unknown reasons, this sometimes returns ERROR_PARTIAL_COPY;
-			   this apparently means we are not supposed to read the process. */
-			if (GetLastError() == ERROR_PARTIAL_COPY) {
-				CloseHandle(hProcess);
-				continue;
-			}
-			printf("EnumProcessModules failed: %d\n", GetLastError());
-			return 1;
-		}
-		if (!GetModuleFileNameEx(hProcess, NULL, path, sizeof(path))) {
-			printf("GetProcessImageFileName failed\n");
-			return 1;
-		}
-
-		_strlwr(path);
-		/* printf("%s\n", path); */
-
-		/* Check if we are running a buildbot version of Python.
-
-		   On Windows, this will always be a debug build from the
-		   PCbuild directory.  build\\PCbuild\\python_d.exe
-		   
-		   On Cygwin, the pathname is similar to other Unixes.
-		   Use \\build\\python.exe to ensure we don't match
-		   PCbuild\\python.exe which could be a normal instance
-		   of Python running on vanilla Windows.
-		*/
-		if ((strstr(path, "pcbuild\\python_d.exe") != NULL) ||
-		    (strstr(path, "\\build\\python.exe") != NULL)) {
-			printf("Terminating %s (pid %d)\n", path, pids[i]);
-			if (!TerminateProcess(hProcess, 1)) {
-				printf("Termination failed: %d\n", GetLastError());
-				return 1;
-			}
-			return 0;
-		}
-
-		CloseHandle(hProcess);
-	}
-}
diff --git a/Tools/buildbot/kill_python.mak b/Tools/buildbot/kill_python.mak
deleted file mode 100644
index 6027d3f..0000000
--- a/Tools/buildbot/kill_python.mak
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,2 +0,0 @@
-kill_python.exe:	kill_python.c
-		cl -nologo -o kill_python.exe kill_python.c psapi.lib