diff --git a/collects/meta/build/build b/collects/meta/build/build
index e8551dc5c6..14b449dddb 100755
--- a/collects/meta/build/build
+++ b/collects/meta/build/build
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ msets "/machines/D" "workdir=/var/tmp" "moveto=" "copytobak=" \
 defbuild "pitcairn" "i386-win32" "test_gui=yes" \
          "workdir=F:" # no "/..." path (that can get interpreted as a flag)
 defbuild "pitcairn2" "x86_64-win32" "test_gui=yes" \
-         "workdir=C:" # same here
+         "workdir=C:/build" # same here (see also commit log!)
 # The LDFLAGS is a workaround for a bug in Fink, see
 # http://wiki.finkproject.org/index.php/Fink:Packaging:Preparing_for_10.5#OpenGL_Bug
 defbuild "kauai"       "ppc-darwin" "configure_args=--enable-xonx" \
@@ -110,8 +110,10 @@ msets "/"
 ###############################################################################
 ### Initialize & Setup environment
 
-ulimit -c 100000000
-umask 002 # stuff that is created should be r/w by the group
+# allow core dumps
+ulimit -c unlimited
+# make sure that everything is group-readable
+umask 002
 
 # get this script's name and path
 cd "$(dirname "$0")"
@@ -1370,6 +1372,8 @@ DO_WINDOWS_BUILD() {
   /usr/bin/mount -c /
   # ignore an occasional use of a dos-style file
   export CYGWIN="$CYGWIN nodosfilewarning"
+  # needed for MS command-line utilities
+  export PATH="$PATH:/c/Windows/system32"
 
   export TEMP="C:\\cygwin\\tmp" TMP="C:\\cygwin\\tmp"