diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index dde46b3b..568b68e2 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ Release
 /xmplay/Release
 /xmplay/*.dll
 /dependencies
-/version.h
+/version_auto.h
 /msvc-build.config.ps1
 
 /**/vgmstream-win.zip
diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 698fda5f..47262bdc 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -88,10 +88,10 @@ if(MSVC)
 else()
 	set(VGM_VERSION_GENERATOR version-make.sh)
 endif()
-add_custom_command(OUTPUT ${VGM_SOURCE_DIR}/version.h
+add_custom_command(OUTPUT ${VGM_SOURCE_DIR}/version_auto.h
 	COMMAND "${VGM_SOURCE_DIR}/${VGM_VERSION_GENERATOR}"
 	DEPENDS ${VGM_SOURCE_DIR}/${VGM_VERSION_GENERATOR})
-add_custom_target(version_h ALL DEPENDS ${VGM_SOURCE_DIR}/version.h)
+add_custom_target(version_h ALL DEPENDS ${VGM_SOURCE_DIR}/version_auto.h)
 
 # FFmpeg detection
 if(USE_FFMPEG)
diff --git a/Makefile.autotools.am b/Makefile.autotools.am
index 41a72740..d34f600f 100644
--- a/Makefile.autotools.am
+++ b/Makefile.autotools.am
@@ -9,4 +9,4 @@ if HAVE_AUDACIOUS
 SUBDIRS += audacious
 endif
 
-EXTRA_DIST = version.h
+EXTRA_DIST = version_auto.h
diff --git a/cli/vgmstream_cli.vcxproj b/cli/vgmstream_cli.vcxproj
index cc5c6a4f..d1045157 100644
--- a/cli/vgmstream_cli.vcxproj
+++ b/cli/vgmstream_cli.vcxproj
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@
     <ClCompile>
       <Optimization>Disabled</Optimization>
       <AdditionalIncludeDirectories>..;../ext_libs/Getopt;../ext_includes;../ext_includes/ffmpeg;$(DependenciesDir)/qaac/mp4v2/include;$(DependenciesDir)/fdk-aac/libSYS/include;$(DependenciesDir)/fdk-aac/libAACdec/include;%(AdditionalIncludeDirectories)</AdditionalIncludeDirectories>
-      <PreprocessorDefinitions>WIN32;VGM_USE_VORBIS;VGM_USE_MPEG;VGM_USE_FFMPEG;VGM_USE_G7221;VGM_USE_ATRAC9;VGM_USE_CELT;VGM_USE_SPEEX;HAVE_JSON;_DEBUG;_WINDOWS;_CONSOLE;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
+      <PreprocessorDefinitions>WIN32;VGMSTREAM_VERSION_AUTO;VGM_USE_VORBIS;VGM_USE_MPEG;VGM_USE_FFMPEG;VGM_USE_G7221;VGM_USE_ATRAC9;VGM_USE_CELT;VGM_USE_SPEEX;HAVE_JSON;_DEBUG;_WINDOWS;_CONSOLE;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
       <BasicRuntimeChecks>EnableFastChecks</BasicRuntimeChecks>
       <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreadedDebug</RuntimeLibrary>
       <PrecompiledHeader>
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@
   <ItemDefinitionGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|Win32'">
     <ClCompile>
       <AdditionalIncludeDirectories>..;../ext_libs/Getopt;../ext_includes;../ext_includes/ffmpeg;$(DependenciesDir)/qaac/mp4v2/include;$(DependenciesDir)/fdk-aac/libSYS/include;$(DependenciesDir)/fdk-aac/libAACdec/include;%(AdditionalIncludeDirectories)</AdditionalIncludeDirectories>
-      <PreprocessorDefinitions>WIN32;VGM_USE_VORBIS;VGM_USE_MPEG;VGM_USE_FFMPEG;VGM_USE_G7221;VGM_USE_ATRAC9;VGM_USE_CELT;VGM_USE_SPEEX;HAVE_JSON;NDEBUG;_WINDOWS;_CONSOLE;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
+      <PreprocessorDefinitions>WIN32;VGMSTREAM_VERSION_AUTO;VGM_USE_VORBIS;VGM_USE_MPEG;VGM_USE_FFMPEG;VGM_USE_G7221;VGM_USE_ATRAC9;VGM_USE_CELT;VGM_USE_SPEEX;HAVE_JSON;NDEBUG;_WINDOWS;_CONSOLE;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
       <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreaded</RuntimeLibrary>
       <PrecompiledHeader>
       </PrecompiledHeader>
diff --git a/fb2k/foo_input_vgmstream.vcxproj b/fb2k/foo_input_vgmstream.vcxproj
index 066c8d69..9d25ff51 100644
--- a/fb2k/foo_input_vgmstream.vcxproj
+++ b/fb2k/foo_input_vgmstream.vcxproj
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@
     <ClCompile>
       <Optimization>Disabled</Optimization>
       <AdditionalIncludeDirectories>..;../ext_includes;../ext_includes/ffmpeg;$(DependenciesDir)/WTL/Include;$(DependenciesDir)/foobar/foobar2000/SDK;$(DependenciesDir)/foobar/foobar2000/shared;$(DependenciesDir)/foobar/foobar2000;$(DependenciesDir)/qaac/mp4v2/include;$(DependenciesDir)/fdk-aac/libSYS/include;$(DependenciesDir)/fdk-aac/libAACdec/include;%(AdditionalIncludeDirectories)</AdditionalIncludeDirectories>
-      <PreprocessorDefinitions>WIN32;VGM_USE_VORBIS;VGM_USE_MPEG;VGM_USE_FFMPEG;VGM_USE_G7221;VGM_USE_ATRAC9;VGM_USE_CELT;VGM_USE_SPEEX;_DEBUG;_WINDOWS;_USRDLL;IN_VGMSTREAM_EXPORTS;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
+      <PreprocessorDefinitions>WIN32;VGMSTREAM_VERSION_AUTO;VGM_USE_VORBIS;VGM_USE_MPEG;VGM_USE_FFMPEG;VGM_USE_G7221;VGM_USE_ATRAC9;VGM_USE_CELT;VGM_USE_SPEEX;_DEBUG;_WINDOWS;_USRDLL;IN_VGMSTREAM_EXPORTS;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
       <BasicRuntimeChecks>EnableFastChecks</BasicRuntimeChecks>
       <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreadedDebug</RuntimeLibrary>
       <PrecompiledHeader>
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@
   <ItemDefinitionGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|Win32'">
     <ClCompile>
       <AdditionalIncludeDirectories>..;../ext_includes;../ext_includes/ffmpeg;$(DependenciesDir)/WTL/Include;$(DependenciesDir)/foobar/foobar2000/SDK;$(DependenciesDir)/foobar/foobar2000/shared;$(DependenciesDir)/foobar/foobar2000;$(DependenciesDir)/qaac/mp4v2/include;$(DependenciesDir)/fdk-aac/libSYS/include;$(DependenciesDir)/fdk-aac/libAACdec/include;%(AdditionalIncludeDirectories)</AdditionalIncludeDirectories>
-      <PreprocessorDefinitions>WIN32;VGM_USE_VORBIS;VGM_USE_MPEG;VGM_USE_FFMPEG;VGM_USE_G7221;VGM_USE_ATRAC9;VGM_USE_CELT;VGM_USE_SPEEX;NDEBUG;_WINDOWS;_USRDLL;IN_VGMSTREAM_EXPORTS;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
+      <PreprocessorDefinitions>WIN32;VGMSTREAM_VERSION_AUTO;VGM_USE_VORBIS;VGM_USE_MPEG;VGM_USE_FFMPEG;VGM_USE_G7221;VGM_USE_ATRAC9;VGM_USE_CELT;VGM_USE_SPEEX;NDEBUG;_WINDOWS;_USRDLL;IN_VGMSTREAM_EXPORTS;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
       <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreaded</RuntimeLibrary>
       <PrecompiledHeader>
       </PrecompiledHeader>
diff --git a/src/libvgmstream.vcxproj b/src/libvgmstream.vcxproj
index 17546f2c..e13dd4ac 100644
--- a/src/libvgmstream.vcxproj
+++ b/src/libvgmstream.vcxproj
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@
     <ClCompile>
       <Optimization>Disabled</Optimization>
       <AdditionalIncludeDirectories>../ext_includes;../ext_includes/ffmpeg;$(DependenciesDir)/qaac/mp4v2/include;$(DependenciesDir)/fdk-aac/libSYS/include;$(DependenciesDir)/fdk-aac/libAACdec/include;%(AdditionalIncludeDirectories)</AdditionalIncludeDirectories>
-      <PreprocessorDefinitions>WIN32;VGM_USE_VORBIS;VGM_USE_MPEG;VGM_USE_FFMPEG;VGM_USE_G7221;VGM_USE_G719;VGM_USE_ATRAC9;VGM_USE_CELT;VGM_USE_SPEEX;USE_ALLOCA;_DEBUG;_LIB;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
+      <PreprocessorDefinitions>WIN32;VGMSTREAM_VERSION_AUTO;VGM_USE_VORBIS;VGM_USE_MPEG;VGM_USE_FFMPEG;VGM_USE_G7221;VGM_USE_G719;VGM_USE_ATRAC9;VGM_USE_CELT;VGM_USE_SPEEX;USE_ALLOCA;_DEBUG;_LIB;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
       <BasicRuntimeChecks>EnableFastChecks</BasicRuntimeChecks>
       <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreadedDebug</RuntimeLibrary>
       <PrecompiledHeader>
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@
   <ItemDefinitionGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|Win32'">
     <ClCompile>
       <AdditionalIncludeDirectories>../ext_includes;../ext_includes/ffmpeg;$(DependenciesDir)/qaac/mp4v2/include;$(DependenciesDir)/fdk-aac/libSYS/include;$(DependenciesDir)/fdk-aac/libAACdec/include;%(AdditionalIncludeDirectories)</AdditionalIncludeDirectories>
-      <PreprocessorDefinitions>_WIN32_WINNT=0x501;WIN32;VGM_USE_VORBIS;VGM_USE_MPEG;VGM_USE_FFMPEG;VGM_USE_G7221;VGM_USE_G719;VGM_USE_ATRAC9;VGM_USE_CELT;VGM_USE_SPEEX;USE_ALLOCA;NDEBUG;_LIB;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
+      <PreprocessorDefinitions>_WIN32_WINNT=0x501;WIN32;VGMSTREAM_VERSION_AUTO;VGM_USE_VORBIS;VGM_USE_MPEG;VGM_USE_FFMPEG;VGM_USE_G7221;VGM_USE_G719;VGM_USE_ATRAC9;VGM_USE_CELT;VGM_USE_SPEEX;USE_ALLOCA;NDEBUG;_LIB;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
       <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreaded</RuntimeLibrary>
       <PrecompiledHeader>
       </PrecompiledHeader>
diff --git a/version-get.sh b/version-get.sh
index b22b07a4..7fbea41a 100644
--- a/version-get.sh
+++ b/version-get.sh
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 #!/bin/sh
 
-# echo current git version (doesn't make version.h)
+# echo current git version (doesn't make version_auto.h)
 
 # test if git exists
 if ! command -v git > /dev/null
diff --git a/version-make.bat b/version-make.bat
index 8e98334f..b891b69e 100644
--- a/version-make.bat
+++ b/version-make.bat
@@ -1,37 +1,47 @@
 @echo off
 setlocal enableextensions enabledelayedexpansion
 
-REM creates or updates version.h
-REM params: $1=filename (usually version.h), $2=VARNAME (usually VGMSTREAM_VERSION)
+REM creates or updates version_auto.h
+REM params: $1=filename (usually version_auto.h), $2=VARNAME (usually VGMSTREAM_VERSION)
 
 
 REM defaults
 set VERSION_DEFAULT=unknown
 set VERSION_FILE=%1
 set VERSION_NAME=%2
-if "%~1" == "" set VERSION_FILE=version.h
+if "%~1" == "" set VERSION_FILE=version_auto.h
 if "%~2" == "" set VERSION_NAME=VGMSTREAM_VERSION
 
-if not "%version%"=="" set version=!version:^:=_!
+if not "%VERSION%"=="" set VERSION=!VERSION:^:=_!
 
 cd /d "%~dp0"
 
 
-REM try get version from Git, leave original version.h untouched if not possible
-for /f %%v in ('git describe --always') do set version=%%v
-
-if not "%version%"=="" set version=!version:^:=_!
-if not "%version%"=="" goto :got_version
-
-echo Git version not found, can't autogenerate version.h
+REM try get version from Git (dynamic)
+:get_version_git
+for /f %%v in ('git describe --always') do set VERSION=%%v
+if not "%VERSION%"=="" set VERSION=!VERSION:^:=_!
+if "%VERSION%"=="" goto :get_version_h
+if %VERSION%==%VERSION_DEFAULT% goto :get_version_h
+set LINE=#define %VERSION_NAME% "%VERSION%" /* autogenerated */
+echo %LINE% > %VERSION_FILE%
 goto :exit
 
 
-REM overwrite version.h
-:got_version
-if %version%==%VERSION_DEFAULT% goto :exit
+REM try to get version from version.h (static)
+:get_version_h
+echo Git version not found, can't autogenerate version_auto.h
+set LINE=#define %VERSION_NAME% "%VERSION_DEFAULT%" /* autogenerated */
+if exist "version.h" (
+    for /F "tokens=*" %%v in (version.h) do (
+        set TOKEN=%%v
+        REM set COMP=#define %VERSION_NAME% #todo
+        if /i "!TOKEN:~0,25!"=="#define VGMSTREAM_VERSION" set LINE=%%v
+    )
+)
 
-echo #define %VERSION_NAME% "%version%" /* autogenerated */ > %VERSION_FILE%
+echo %LINE% > %VERSION_FILE%
+goto :exit
 
 
 REM done
diff --git a/version-make.sh b/version-make.sh
index 107a838f..4ed96d02 100644
--- a/version-make.sh
+++ b/version-make.sh
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 #!/bin/sh
 
-# make current git version (overwrites version.h)
+# make current git version (overwrites version_auto.h)
 VERSION_NAME=VGMSTREAM_VERSION
-VERSION_FILE=version.h
+VERSION_FILE=version_auto.h
 
 
 # test if git exists
@@ -17,5 +17,5 @@ fi
 if  [[ $VERSION != fatal* ]] && [ ! -z "$VERSION" ] ; then
     echo "#define $VERSION_NAME \"$VERSION\" /* autogenerated */" > $VERSION_FILE
 else
-    echo "Git version not found, can't autogenerate version.h"
+    echo "Git version not found, can't autogenerate version_auto.h"
 fi;
diff --git a/version.h b/version.h
index 2301a4bf..332aef33 100644
--- a/version.h
+++ b/version.h
@@ -1,4 +1,18 @@
+#ifndef _VGMSTREAM_H_
+#define _VGMSTREAM_H_
+/* autogenerated version passed by param */
+//todo detect if VGMSTREAM_VERSION is "" (may happen on script error)
+#ifndef VGMSTREAM_VERSION
+/* autogenerated version on file */
+#ifdef VGMSTREAM_VERSION_AUTO
+#include "version_auto.h"
+#else
 /* Static/fallback version.
  * Version is autogenerated from Git (passed via compiler args, or updated with scripts), but this file is
- * for Git-less builds (not installed or downloaded master) and builds that don't do the above should still work. */
-#define VGMSTREAM_VERSION "unknown"
+ * for Git-less builds (not installed or downloaded master) and builds that don't do the above should still work
+ * (compiling a well-behaved src shouldn't depend on calling arbitrary scripts). */
+#define VGMSTREAM_VERSION "r1050"
+#endif
+#endif
+
+#endif
diff --git a/winamp/in_vgmstream.vcxproj b/winamp/in_vgmstream.vcxproj
index f2446e6d..1fece220 100644
--- a/winamp/in_vgmstream.vcxproj
+++ b/winamp/in_vgmstream.vcxproj
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@
     <ClCompile>
       <Optimization>Disabled</Optimization>
       <AdditionalIncludeDirectories>..;../ext_includes;../ext_includes/ffmpeg;$(DependenciesDir)/qaac/mp4v2/include;$(DependenciesDir)/fdk-aac/libSYS/include;$(DependenciesDir)/fdk-aac/libAACdec/include;%(AdditionalIncludeDirectories)</AdditionalIncludeDirectories>
-      <PreprocessorDefinitions>WIN32;VGM_USE_VORBIS;VGM_USE_MPEG;VGM_USE_FFMPEG;VGM_USE_G7221;VGM_USE_ATRAC9;VGM_USE_CELT;VGM_USE_SPEEX;_DEBUG;_WINDOWS;_USRDLL;IN_VGMSTREAM_EXPORTS;VGM_WINAMP_UNICODE;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
+      <PreprocessorDefinitions>WIN32;VGMSTREAM_VERSION_AUTO;VGM_USE_VORBIS;VGM_USE_MPEG;VGM_USE_FFMPEG;VGM_USE_G7221;VGM_USE_ATRAC9;VGM_USE_CELT;VGM_USE_SPEEX;_DEBUG;_WINDOWS;_USRDLL;IN_VGMSTREAM_EXPORTS;VGM_WINAMP_UNICODE;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
       <BasicRuntimeChecks>EnableFastChecks</BasicRuntimeChecks>
       <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreadedDebug</RuntimeLibrary>
       <PrecompiledHeader>
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@
   <ItemDefinitionGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|Win32'">
     <ClCompile>
       <AdditionalIncludeDirectories>..;../ext_includes;../ext_includes/ffmpeg;$(DependenciesDir)/qaac/mp4v2/include;$(DependenciesDir)/fdk-aac/libSYS/include;$(DependenciesDir)/fdk-aac/libAACdec/include;%(AdditionalIncludeDirectories)</AdditionalIncludeDirectories>
-      <PreprocessorDefinitions>WIN32;VGM_USE_VORBIS;VGM_USE_MPEG;VGM_USE_FFMPEG;VGM_USE_G7221;VGM_USE_ATRAC9;VGM_USE_CELT;VGM_USE_SPEEX;NDEBUG;_WINDOWS;_USRDLL;IN_VGMSTREAM_EXPORTS;VGM_WINAMP_UNICODE;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
+      <PreprocessorDefinitions>WIN32;VGMSTREAM_VERSION_AUTO;VGM_USE_VORBIS;VGM_USE_MPEG;VGM_USE_FFMPEG;VGM_USE_G7221;VGM_USE_ATRAC9;VGM_USE_CELT;VGM_USE_SPEEX;NDEBUG;_WINDOWS;_USRDLL;IN_VGMSTREAM_EXPORTS;VGM_WINAMP_UNICODE;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
       <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreaded</RuntimeLibrary>
       <PrecompiledHeader>
       </PrecompiledHeader>
diff --git a/xmplay/xmp-vgmstream.vcxproj b/xmplay/xmp-vgmstream.vcxproj
index a4d144ce..edaa2890 100644
--- a/xmplay/xmp-vgmstream.vcxproj
+++ b/xmplay/xmp-vgmstream.vcxproj
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@
     <ClCompile>
       <Optimization>Disabled</Optimization>
       <AdditionalIncludeDirectories>..;../ext_includes;../ext_includes/ffmpeg;$(DependenciesDir)/qaac/mp4v2/include;$(DependenciesDir)/fdk-aac/libSYS/include;$(DependenciesDir)/fdk-aac/libAACdec/include;%(AdditionalIncludeDirectories)</AdditionalIncludeDirectories>
-      <PreprocessorDefinitions>WIN32;VGM_USE_VORBIS;VGM_USE_MPEG;VGM_USE_FFMPEG;VGM_USE_G7221;VGM_USE_ATRAC9;VGM_USE_CELT;VGM_USE_SPEEX;_DEBUG;_WINDOWS;_USRDLL;IN_VGMSTREAM_EXPORTS;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
+      <PreprocessorDefinitions>WIN32;VGMSTREAM_VERSION_AUTO;VGM_USE_VORBIS;VGM_USE_MPEG;VGM_USE_FFMPEG;VGM_USE_G7221;VGM_USE_ATRAC9;VGM_USE_CELT;VGM_USE_SPEEX;_DEBUG;_WINDOWS;_USRDLL;IN_VGMSTREAM_EXPORTS;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
       <BasicRuntimeChecks>EnableFastChecks</BasicRuntimeChecks>
       <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreadedDebug</RuntimeLibrary>
       <WarningLevel>Level3</WarningLevel>
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@
   <ItemDefinitionGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|Win32'">
     <ClCompile>
       <AdditionalIncludeDirectories>..;../ext_includes;../ext_includes/ffmpeg;$(DependenciesDir)/qaac/mp4v2/include;$(DependenciesDir)/fdk-aac/libSYS/include;$(DependenciesDir)/fdk-aac/libAACdec/include;%(AdditionalIncludeDirectories)</AdditionalIncludeDirectories>
-      <PreprocessorDefinitions>_WIN32_WINNT=0x501;WIN32;VGM_USE_VORBIS;VGM_USE_MPEG;VGM_USE_FFMPEG;VGM_USE_G7221;VGM_USE_ATRAC9;VGM_USE_CELT;VGM_USE_SPEEX;NDEBUG;_WINDOWS;_USRDLL;IN_VGMSTREAM_EXPORTS;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
+      <PreprocessorDefinitions>_WIN32_WINNT=0x501;WIN32;VGMSTREAM_VERSION_AUTO;VGM_USE_VORBIS;VGM_USE_MPEG;VGM_USE_FFMPEG;VGM_USE_G7221;VGM_USE_ATRAC9;VGM_USE_CELT;VGM_USE_SPEEX;NDEBUG;_WINDOWS;_USRDLL;IN_VGMSTREAM_EXPORTS;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
       <RuntimeLibrary>MultiThreaded</RuntimeLibrary>
       <WarningLevel>Level3</WarningLevel>
       <DebugInformationFormat>ProgramDatabase</DebugInformationFormat>