diff --git a/config/Makefile.mingw b/config/Makefile.mingw
index e77820154..395e82c65 100644
--- a/config/Makefile.mingw
+++ b/config/Makefile.mingw
@@ -164,3 +164,8 @@ TK_LINK=$(TK_ROOT)/bin/tk85.dll $(TK_ROOT)/bin/tcl85.dll -lws2_32
 
 MAKEREC=$(MAKE) -f Makefile.nt
 MAKECMD=$(MAKE)
+
+############# for the testsuite makefiles
+CYGPATH=cygpath -m
+DIFF=diff -q --strip-trailing-cr
+CANKILL=false