diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 5730991..96bfe8b 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -17,8 +17,19 @@ Explore maps, fight bots, and record and replay demos. Gameplay remains incomple
 expect missing behavior, bugs and desyncs. The asset readers also cover MW3 and Black
 Ops.
 
-Build from source. APIs, configuration, caches and the wire protocol change between
-commits; multiplayer peers must run the same commit.
+APIs, configuration, caches and the wire protocol change between commits;
+multiplayer peers must run the same build.
+
+## Windows: prebuilt release
+
+1. Download `iw4l-windows.zip` from [Releases](../../releases) and extract it into an
+   empty writable folder. The archive password is `contextrot`.
+2. Next to `iw4l.exe`, add a Windows shortcut to your MW2 installation folder.
+3. Launch `iw4l.exe`.
+
+For online play, put the `.iw4l-server` file you received from a server operator next
+to `iw4l.exe`. With it the game finds that master and updates itself on launch. Details:
+[Windows guide](docs/WINDOWS.md).
 
 ## Build and run
 
@@ -26,7 +37,7 @@ Install Rust through rustup and GNU Make. [Build dependencies](docs/BUILD.md) co
 Linux's C/C++ toolchain and system libraries, and macOS's Xcode command line tools.
 [Windows instructions](docs/WINDOWS.md) cover building and arranging a portable folder.
 
-You need your own installed MW2 Multiplayer data, including `common_mp.ff`. IW4L
+You need your own installed MW2 Multiplayer data. IW4L
 distributes no game assets and reads installations without patching or replacing their
 files. Caches, demos and logs go under `iw4l-artifacts/`; Linux settings use a separate
 configuration directory described in the [run guide](docs/RUN.md).
diff --git a/docs/MASTER.md b/docs/MASTER.md
index 4564801..6627164 100644
--- a/docs/MASTER.md
+++ b/docs/MASTER.md
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ make map mp_boneyard IW4L_MASTER_HOST_NAME='Friday match' IW4L_MASTER_MAX_PLAYER
 ```
 
 Other players open `make menu` and select the room. Master networking needs
-MW2 multiplayer data (`common_mp.ff`); it is disabled during demo replay.
+MW2 multiplayer data; it is disabled during demo replay.
 
 When a setting appears in more than one place:
 
diff --git a/docs/WINDOWS.md b/docs/WINDOWS.md
index bb163ca..910f0eb 100644
--- a/docs/WINDOWS.md
+++ b/docs/WINDOWS.md
@@ -1,6 +1,9 @@
 # Portable Windows folder
 
-`make launcher windows` creates `dist/windows/iw4l-windows-{dev,prod}.zip`.
+Players download `iw4l-windows.zip` from the GitHub release; it holds the executable
+and licences. A server operator hands out the `.iw4l-server` descriptor separately.
+`make release prod|dev` also writes `iw4l-windows-{dev,prod}.zip` with the descriptor
+included, and `make launcher windows` writes the same pair under `dist/windows/`.
 The archive password is `contextrot`. Extract into a dedicated writable folder:
 
 ```text
@@ -15,8 +18,8 @@ IW4L/
 ```
 
 Add ordinary Windows shortcuts to installed title folders or executables.
-MW2 multiplayer data (`zone/**/common_mp.ff`) is required for the menu;
-BO1 and MW3 are optional. The runtime reads those installations.
+MW2 multiplayer data is required for the menu; BO1 and MW3 are optional.
+The runtime reads those installations.
 
 Launch `iw4l.exe`. Before starting the game or contacting QUIC, it checks its
 community's HTTPS manifest. An unchanged executable starts normally. An update
diff --git a/xtask/src/release.rs b/xtask/src/release.rs
index 00a5ea3..b10f028 100644
--- a/xtask/src/release.rs
+++ b/xtask/src/release.rs
@@ -399,7 +399,10 @@ pub fn prepare(root: &Path, env: &Env, channel: Channel, profile: &str) -> Res<P
     player_archive(
         &dest.join("client"),
         &dest.join(format!("iw4l-windows-{channel}.zip")),
+        true,
     )?;
+    // The GitHub download: the descriptor names the master, which stays private.
+    player_archive(&dest.join("client"), &dest.join("iw4l-windows.zip"), false)?;
     println!("release.done path=dist/releases/{channel}/{release_id}");
     Ok(dest)
 }
@@ -439,14 +442,17 @@ pub fn bundles(root: &Path, env: &Env, profile: &str) -> Res<()> {
             &community(channel, &host, &ca_cert)?,
         )?;
         let archive = out.join(format!("iw4l-windows-{channel}.zip"));
-        player_archive(&stage, &archive)?;
+        player_archive(&stage, &archive, true)?;
         println!("[windows] {channel} archive: {}", archive.display());
     }
     Ok(())
 }
 
-fn player_archive(stage: &Path, archive: &Path) -> Res<()> {
-    let mut names = vec!["iw4l.exe", "community.iw4l-server"];
+fn player_archive(stage: &Path, archive: &Path, descriptor: bool) -> Res<()> {
+    let mut names = vec!["iw4l.exe"];
+    if descriptor {
+        names.push("community.iw4l-server");
+    }
     names.extend(LEGAL_FILES.iter().map(|(_, to)| *to));
     let files = names
         .into_iter()