I'd have to disagree with Ross.

Cygwin Does indeed have a Great Tool chain.

The reason you don't install Linux... is because you can't. Production machine are not sunk costs, you have to protect the investment value. You can not just yank a machine that has a Windows Product on it and put in a Linux machine. But, you could get away with Cygwin quite easily. It is typically smaller than Office. Will give you a "Real Code/Text Editor" too.

Cygwin being so Divorced is about as divorced as things get on UNIX. One but Separate, Seperate but as one.

Personally, I think it gives you tools to do your job (more) easily. Best part is... They don't run in Ring Zero.

SFU, is just a Lazy(easy as in not fighting for it) way to get some *NIX functionality.

Hell, Barry install both... see which one you end up using more. I know Cygwin ain't easy to justify, but the ability to install it *AND* get rid of it without "rebooting" has got to be very convincing.