diff --git a/cmd/init_test.go b/cmd/init_test.go
index a5aa22397..28ca1ab58 100644
--- a/cmd/init_test.go
+++ b/cmd/init_test.go
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ func TestInitGitIgnoreExists(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestInitFileError(t *testing.T) {
-	testlib.SkipIfWindows(t)
+	testlib.SkipIfWindows(t, "windows permissions don't work the same way")
 	folder := setupInitTest(t)
 	cmd := newInitCmd().cmd
 	path := filepath.Join(folder, "nope.yaml")
diff --git a/internal/pipe/before/before_test.go b/internal/pipe/before/before_test.go
index 8d8c5df38..98fd11609 100644
--- a/internal/pipe/before/before_test.go
+++ b/internal/pipe/before/before_test.go
@@ -73,7 +73,6 @@ func TestRunPipeFail(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestRunWithEnv(t *testing.T) {
-	testlib.SkipIfWindows(t)
 	f := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "testfile")
 	require.NoError(t, Pipe{}.Run(testctx.NewWithCfg(
 		config.Project{
@@ -81,7 +80,7 @@ func TestRunWithEnv(t *testing.T) {
 				"TEST_FILE=" + f,
 			},
 			Before: config.Before{
-				Hooks: []string{"touch {{ .Env.TEST_FILE }}"},
+				Hooks: []string{testlib.Touch("{{ .Env.TEST_FILE }}")},
 			},
 		},
 	)))
@@ -92,7 +91,7 @@ func TestInvalidTemplate(t *testing.T) {
 	testlib.RequireTemplateError(t, Pipe{}.Run(testctx.NewWithCfg(
 		config.Project{
 			Before: config.Before{
-				Hooks: []string{"touch {{ .fasdsd }"},
+				Hooks: []string{"doesnt-matter {{ .fasdsd }"},
 			},
 		},
 	)))
diff --git a/internal/pipe/blob/blob_minio_test.go b/internal/pipe/blob/blob_minio_test.go
index 7c722ff14..d0c626615 100644
--- a/internal/pipe/blob/blob_minio_test.go
+++ b/internal/pipe/blob/blob_minio_test.go
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ func TestMain(m *testing.M) {
 
 func TestMinioUpload(t *testing.T) {
 	testlib.CheckPath(t, "docker")
-	testlib.SkipIfWindows(t)
+	testlib.SkipIfWindows(t, "minio image not available for windows")
 	name := "basic"
 	directory := t.TempDir()
 	srcpath := filepath.Join(directory, "source.tar.gz")
@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@ func TestMinioUpload(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestMinioUploadCustomBucketID(t *testing.T) {
 	testlib.CheckPath(t, "docker")
-	testlib.SkipIfWindows(t)
+	testlib.SkipIfWindows(t, "minio image not available for windows")
 	name := "fromenv"
 	directory := t.TempDir()
 	tgzpath := filepath.Join(directory, "bin.tar.gz")
@@ -221,7 +221,7 @@ func TestMinioUploadCustomBucketID(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestMinioUploadExtraFilesOnly(t *testing.T) {
 	testlib.CheckPath(t, "docker")
-	testlib.SkipIfWindows(t)
+	testlib.SkipIfWindows(t, "minio image not available for windows")
 	name := "only-extra-files"
 	directory := t.TempDir()
 	tgzpath := filepath.Join(directory, "bin.tar.gz")
@@ -268,7 +268,7 @@ func TestMinioUploadExtraFilesOnly(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestMinioUploadRootDirectory(t *testing.T) {
 	testlib.CheckPath(t, "docker")
-	testlib.SkipIfWindows(t)
+	testlib.SkipIfWindows(t, "minio image not available for windows")
 	name := "rootdir"
 	directory := t.TempDir()
 	tgzpath := filepath.Join(directory, "bin.tar.gz")
@@ -305,7 +305,7 @@ func TestMinioUploadRootDirectory(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestMinioUploadInvalidCustomBucketID(t *testing.T) {
 	testlib.CheckPath(t, "docker")
-	testlib.SkipIfWindows(t)
+	testlib.SkipIfWindows(t, "minio image not available for windows")
 	directory := t.TempDir()
 	tgzpath := filepath.Join(directory, "bin.tar.gz")
 	debpath := filepath.Join(directory, "bin.deb")
@@ -339,7 +339,7 @@ func TestMinioUploadInvalidCustomBucketID(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestMinioUploadSkip(t *testing.T) {
 	testlib.CheckPath(t, "docker")
-	testlib.SkipIfWindows(t)
+	testlib.SkipIfWindows(t, "minio image not available for windows")
 	name := "basic"
 	directory := t.TempDir()
 	debpath := filepath.Join(directory, "bin.deb")
diff --git a/internal/pipe/build/build_test.go b/internal/pipe/build/build_test.go
index 8173625ea..b658a82f0 100644
--- a/internal/pipe/build/build_test.go
+++ b/internal/pipe/build/build_test.go
@@ -22,18 +22,8 @@ import (
 var (
 	errFailedBuild   = errors.New("fake builder failed")
 	errFailedDefault = errors.New("fake builder defaults failed")
-
-	touch = "touch "
-	echo  = "echo "
 )
 
-func init() {
-	if testlib.IsWindows() {
-		touch = "cmd.exe /c copy nul "
-		echo = "cmd.exe /c echo "
-	}
-}
-
 type fakeBuilder struct {
 	fail        bool
 	failDefault bool
@@ -146,12 +136,12 @@ func TestRunFullPipe(t *testing.T) {
 				},
 				Hooks: config.BuildHookConfig{
 					Pre: []config.Hook{
-						{Cmd: touch + pre},
-						{Cmd: touch + " pre_{{ .Env.THE_OS}}"},
+						{Cmd: testlib.Touch(pre)},
+						{Cmd: testlib.Touch("pre_{{ .Env.THE_OS}}")},
 					},
 					Post: []config.Hook{
-						{Cmd: touch + post},
-						{Cmd: touch + " post_{{ .Env.THE_OS}}"},
+						{Cmd: testlib.Touch(post)},
+						{Cmd: testlib.Touch("post_{{ .Env.THE_OS}}")},
 					},
 				},
 				Targets: []string{"linux_amd64"},
@@ -188,10 +178,10 @@ func TestRunFullPipeFail(t *testing.T) {
 				},
 				Hooks: config.BuildHookConfig{
 					Pre: []config.Hook{
-						{Cmd: touch + pre},
+						{Cmd: testlib.Touch(pre)},
 					},
 					Post: []config.Hook{
-						{Cmd: touch + post},
+						{Cmd: testlib.Touch(post)},
 					},
 				},
 				Targets: []string{"linux_amd64"},
@@ -220,7 +210,7 @@ func TestRunPipeFailingHooks(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Run("pre-hook", func(t *testing.T) {
 		ctx := testctx.NewWithCfg(cfg, testctx.WithCurrentTag("2.4.5"))
 		ctx.Config.Builds[0].Hooks.Pre = []config.Hook{{Cmd: "exit 1"}}
-		ctx.Config.Builds[0].Hooks.Post = []config.Hook{{Cmd: echo + " post"}}
+		ctx.Config.Builds[0].Hooks.Post = []config.Hook{{Cmd: testlib.Echo("post")}}
 
 		err := Pipe{}.Run(ctx)
 		require.ErrorIs(t, err, exec.ErrNotFound)
@@ -228,7 +218,7 @@ func TestRunPipeFailingHooks(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 	t.Run("post-hook", func(t *testing.T) {
 		ctx := testctx.NewWithCfg(cfg, testctx.WithCurrentTag("2.4.5"))
-		ctx.Config.Builds[0].Hooks.Pre = []config.Hook{{Cmd: echo + " pre"}}
+		ctx.Config.Builds[0].Hooks.Pre = []config.Hook{{Cmd: testlib.Echo("pre")}}
 		ctx.Config.Builds[0].Hooks.Post = []config.Hook{{Cmd: "exit 1"}}
 		err := Pipe{}.Run(ctx)
 		require.ErrorIs(t, err, exec.ErrNotFound)
@@ -241,7 +231,7 @@ func TestRunPipeFailingHooks(t *testing.T) {
 			testctx.WithCurrentTag("2.4.5"),
 			testctx.Skip(skips.PostBuildHooks),
 		)
-		ctx.Config.Builds[0].Hooks.Pre = []config.Hook{{Cmd: echo + " pre"}}
+		ctx.Config.Builds[0].Hooks.Pre = []config.Hook{{Cmd: testlib.Echo("pre")}}
 		ctx.Config.Builds[0].Hooks.Post = []config.Hook{{Cmd: "exit 1"}}
 		require.NoError(t, Pipe{}.Run(ctx))
 	})
@@ -252,7 +242,7 @@ func TestRunPipeFailingHooks(t *testing.T) {
 			testctx.WithCurrentTag("2.4.5"),
 			testctx.Skip(skips.PreBuildHooks),
 		)
-		ctx.Config.Builds[0].Hooks.Post = []config.Hook{{Cmd: echo + " pre"}}
+		ctx.Config.Builds[0].Hooks.Pre = []config.Hook{{Cmd: testlib.Echo("pre")}}
 		ctx.Config.Builds[0].Hooks.Pre = []config.Hook{{Cmd: "exit 1"}}
 		require.NoError(t, Pipe{}.Run(ctx))
 	})
@@ -515,10 +505,10 @@ func TestBuild_hooksKnowGoosGoarch(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 		Hooks: config.BuildHookConfig{
 			Pre: []config.Hook{
-				{Cmd: touch + " pre-hook-{{.Arch}}-{{.Os}}", Dir: tmpDir},
+				{Cmd: testlib.Touch("pre-hook-{{.Arch}}-{{.Os}}"), Dir: tmpDir},
 			},
 			Post: config.Hooks{
-				{Cmd: touch + " post-hook-{{.Arch}}-{{.Os}}", Dir: tmpDir},
+				{Cmd: testlib.Touch(" post-hook-{{.Arch}}-{{.Os}}"), Dir: tmpDir},
 			},
 		},
 	}
@@ -548,10 +538,10 @@ func TestPipeOnBuild_hooksRunPerTarget(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 		Hooks: config.BuildHookConfig{
 			Pre: []config.Hook{
-				{Cmd: touch + " pre-hook-{{.Target}}", Dir: tmpDir},
+				{Cmd: testlib.Touch("pre-hook-{{.Target}}"), Dir: tmpDir},
 			},
 			Post: config.Hooks{
-				{Cmd: touch + " post-hook-{{.Target}}", Dir: tmpDir},
+				{Cmd: testlib.Touch("post-hook-{{.Target}}"), Dir: tmpDir},
 			},
 		},
 	}
@@ -747,7 +737,7 @@ func TestBuildOptionsForTarget(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestRunHookFailWithLogs(t *testing.T) {
-	testlib.SkipIfWindows(t)
+	testlib.SkipIfWindows(t, "subshells don't work in windows")
 	folder := testlib.Mktmp(t)
 	config := config.Project{
 		Dist: folder,
diff --git a/internal/pipe/docker/docker_test.go b/internal/pipe/docker/docker_test.go
index afc5d6796..e7f0493c2 100644
--- a/internal/pipe/docker/docker_test.go
+++ b/internal/pipe/docker/docker_test.go
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ func start(tb testing.TB) {
 // TODO: this test is too big... split in smaller tests? Mainly the manifest ones...
 func TestRunPipe(t *testing.T) {
 	testlib.CheckPath(t, "docker")
-	testlib.SkipIfWindows(t)
+	testlib.SkipIfWindows(t, "images only available for windows")
 	type errChecker func(*testing.T, error)
 	shouldErr := func(msg string) errChecker {
 		return func(t *testing.T, err error) {
diff --git a/internal/pipe/env/env_test.go b/internal/pipe/env/env_test.go
index 06b7b1f98..3366f39e3 100644
--- a/internal/pipe/env/env_test.go
+++ b/internal/pipe/env/env_test.go
@@ -292,7 +292,7 @@ func TestLoadEnv(t *testing.T) {
 		require.Equal(t, "123", v)
 	})
 	t.Run("env file is not readable", func(t *testing.T) {
-		testlib.SkipIfWindows(t)
+		testlib.SkipIfWindows(t, "permissions work differently in windows")
 		f, err := os.CreateTemp(t.TempDir(), "token")
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 		fmt.Fprintf(f, "123")
diff --git a/internal/pipe/gomod/gomod_proxy_test.go b/internal/pipe/gomod/gomod_proxy_test.go
index 849d02f38..38e54da9c 100644
--- a/internal/pipe/gomod/gomod_proxy_test.go
+++ b/internal/pipe/gomod/gomod_proxy_test.go
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ func TestGoModProxy(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 
 	t.Run("no perms", func(t *testing.T) {
-		testlib.SkipIfWindows(t)
+		testlib.SkipIfWindows(t, "windows permissions work differently")
 		for file, mode := range map[string]os.FileMode{
 			"go.mod":          0o500,
 			"go.sum":          0o500,
diff --git a/internal/pipe/ko/ko_test.go b/internal/pipe/ko/ko_test.go
index fb755c8d6..ccf7e5cec 100644
--- a/internal/pipe/ko/ko_test.go
+++ b/internal/pipe/ko/ko_test.go
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ func TestPublishPipeNoMatchingBuild(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestPublishPipeSuccess(t *testing.T) {
-	testlib.SkipIfWindows(t)
+	testlib.SkipIfWindows(t, "ko doesn't work in windows")
 	testlib.CheckPath(t, "docker")
 	testlib.StartRegistry(t, "ko_registry", registryPort)
 
@@ -412,7 +412,7 @@ func TestPublishPipeSuccess(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestSnapshot(t *testing.T) {
-	testlib.SkipIfWindows(t)
+	testlib.SkipIfWindows(t, "ko doesn't work in windows")
 	testlib.CheckDocker(t)
 	ctx := testctx.NewWithCfg(config.Project{
 		ProjectName: "test",
diff --git a/internal/pipe/nix/nix_test.go b/internal/pipe/nix/nix_test.go
index 41cbc71f1..fb655b1cb 100644
--- a/internal/pipe/nix/nix_test.go
+++ b/internal/pipe/nix/nix_test.go
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ func TestSkip(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 	t.Run("nix-all-good", func(t *testing.T) {
 		testlib.CheckPath(t, "nix-prefetch-url")
-		testlib.SkipIfWindows(t)
+		testlib.SkipIfWindows(t, "nix doesn't work on windows")
 		require.False(t, NewPublish().Skip(testctx.NewWithCfg(config.Project{
 			Nix: []config.Nix{{}},
 		})))
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ func TestPrefetcher(t *testing.T) {
 			})
 			t.Run("valid", func(t *testing.T) {
 				testlib.CheckPath(t, "nix-prefetch-url")
-				testlib.SkipIfWindows(t)
+				testlib.SkipIfWindows(t, "nix doesn't work on windows")
 				sha, err := publishShaPrefetcher{nixPrefetchURLBin}.Prefetch("https://github.com/goreleaser/goreleaser/releases/download/v1.18.2/goreleaser_Darwin_arm64.tar.gz")
 				require.NoError(t, err)
 				require.Equal(t, "0girjxp07srylyq36xk1ska8p68m2fhp05xgyv4wkcl61d6rzv3y", sha)
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ func TestPrefetcher(t *testing.T) {
 			})
 			t.Run("valid", func(t *testing.T) {
 				testlib.CheckPath(t, "nix-prefetch-url")
-				testlib.SkipIfWindows(t)
+				testlib.SkipIfWindows(t, "nix doesn't work on windows")
 				require.True(t, publishShaPrefetcher{nixPrefetchURLBin}.Available())
 			})
 		})
diff --git a/internal/pipe/sign/sign_binary_test.go b/internal/pipe/sign/sign_binary_test.go
index 6f536180c..39e5db594 100644
--- a/internal/pipe/sign/sign_binary_test.go
+++ b/internal/pipe/sign/sign_binary_test.go
@@ -81,8 +81,7 @@ func TestBinaryDependencies(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestBinarySign(t *testing.T) {
 	testlib.CheckPath(t, "gpg")
-	// dunno why this tries to use /usr/bin/gpg-agent on a windows machine
-	testlib.SkipIfWindows(t)
+	testlib.SkipIfWindows(t, "tries to use /usr/bin/gpg-agent")
 	doTest := func(tb testing.TB, sign config.Sign) []*artifact.Artifact {
 		tb.Helper()
 		tmpdir := tb.TempDir()
diff --git a/internal/pipe/sign/sign_test.go b/internal/pipe/sign/sign_test.go
index 00a7a6090..3b4f5098c 100644
--- a/internal/pipe/sign/sign_test.go
+++ b/internal/pipe/sign/sign_test.go
@@ -97,8 +97,7 @@ func TestSignInvalidArtifacts(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestSignArtifacts(t *testing.T) {
-	// dunno why this tries to use /usr/bin/gpg-agent on a windows machine
-	testlib.SkipIfWindows(t)
+	testlib.SkipIfWindows(t, "tries to use /usr/bin/gpg-agent")
 	stdin := passwordUser
 	tmplStdin := passwordUserTmpl
 	tests := []struct {
diff --git a/internal/pipe/snapcraft/snapcraft_test.go b/internal/pipe/snapcraft/snapcraft_test.go
index 16da02f38..f5498d270 100644
--- a/internal/pipe/snapcraft/snapcraft_test.go
+++ b/internal/pipe/snapcraft/snapcraft_test.go
@@ -48,8 +48,7 @@ func TestRunPipeMissingInfo(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestRunPipe(t *testing.T) {
-	// snap doesn't work on windows apparently
-	testlib.SkipIfWindows(t)
+	testlib.SkipIfWindows(t, "snap doesn't work in windows")
 	testlib.CheckPath(t, "snapcraft")
 	folder := t.TempDir()
 	dist := filepath.Join(folder, "dist")
@@ -101,8 +100,7 @@ func TestRunPipe(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestBadTemplate(t *testing.T) {
-	// snap doesn't work on windows apparently
-	testlib.SkipIfWindows(t)
+	testlib.SkipIfWindows(t, "snap doesn't work in windows")
 	testlib.CheckPath(t, "snapcraft")
 	folder := t.TempDir()
 	dist := filepath.Join(folder, "dist")
@@ -135,8 +133,7 @@ func TestBadTemplate(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestRunPipeInvalidNameTemplate(t *testing.T) {
-	// snap doesn't work on windows apparently
-	testlib.SkipIfWindows(t)
+	testlib.SkipIfWindows(t, "snap doesn't work in windows")
 	testlib.CheckPath(t, "snapcraft")
 	folder := t.TempDir()
 	dist := filepath.Join(folder, "dist")
@@ -159,8 +156,7 @@ func TestRunPipeInvalidNameTemplate(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestRunPipeWithName(t *testing.T) {
-	// snap doesn't work on windows apparently
-	testlib.SkipIfWindows(t)
+	testlib.SkipIfWindows(t, "snap doesn't work in windows")
 	testlib.CheckPath(t, "snapcraft")
 	folder := t.TempDir()
 	dist := filepath.Join(folder, "dist")
@@ -195,8 +191,7 @@ func TestRunPipeWithName(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestRunPipeMetadata(t *testing.T) {
-	// snap doesn't work on windows apparently
-	testlib.SkipIfWindows(t)
+	testlib.SkipIfWindows(t, "snap doesn't work in windows")
 	testlib.CheckPath(t, "snapcraft")
 	folder := t.TempDir()
 	dist := filepath.Join(folder, "dist")
@@ -352,8 +347,7 @@ func TestNoSnapcraftInPath(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestRunNoArguments(t *testing.T) {
-	// snap doesn't work on windows apparently
-	testlib.SkipIfWindows(t)
+	testlib.SkipIfWindows(t, "snap doesn't work in windows")
 	testlib.CheckPath(t, "snapcraft")
 	folder := t.TempDir()
 	dist := filepath.Join(folder, "dist")
@@ -388,8 +382,7 @@ func TestRunNoArguments(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestCompleter(t *testing.T) {
-	// snap doesn't work on windows apparently
-	testlib.SkipIfWindows(t)
+	testlib.SkipIfWindows(t, "snap doesn't work in windows")
 	testlib.CheckPath(t, "snapcraft")
 	folder := t.TempDir()
 	dist := filepath.Join(folder, "dist")
@@ -427,8 +420,7 @@ func TestCompleter(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestCommand(t *testing.T) {
-	// snap doesn't work on windows apparently
-	testlib.SkipIfWindows(t)
+	testlib.SkipIfWindows(t, "snap doesn't work in windows")
 	testlib.CheckPath(t, "snapcraft")
 	folder := t.TempDir()
 	dist := filepath.Join(folder, "dist")
@@ -464,8 +456,7 @@ func TestCommand(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestExtraFile(t *testing.T) {
-	// snap doesn't work on windows apparently
-	testlib.SkipIfWindows(t)
+	testlib.SkipIfWindows(t, "snap doesn't work in windows")
 	testlib.CheckPath(t, "snapcraft")
 	folder := t.TempDir()
 	dist := filepath.Join(folder, "dist")
diff --git a/internal/pipe/universalbinary/universalbinary_test.go b/internal/pipe/universalbinary/universalbinary_test.go
index 05121c2c2..56ad36b1d 100644
--- a/internal/pipe/universalbinary/universalbinary_test.go
+++ b/internal/pipe/universalbinary/universalbinary_test.go
@@ -19,18 +19,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 )
 
-var (
-	echo  = "echo "
-	touch = "touch "
-)
-
-func init() {
-	if testlib.IsWindows() {
-		touch = "cmd.exe /c copy nul "
-		echo = "cmd.exe /c echo "
-	}
-}
-
 func TestDescription(t *testing.T) {
 	require.NotEmpty(t, Pipe{}.String())
 }
@@ -187,11 +175,11 @@ func TestRun(t *testing.T) {
 				NameTemplate: "foo",
 				Hooks: config.BuildHookConfig{
 					Pre: []config.Hook{
-						{Cmd: touch + pre},
+						{Cmd: testlib.Touch(pre)},
 					},
 					Post: []config.Hook{
-						{Cmd: touch + post},
-						{Cmd: shc(`echo "{{ .Name }} {{ .Os }} {{ .Arch }} {{ .Arm }} {{ .Target }} {{ .Ext }}" > {{ .Path }}.post`), Output: true},
+						{Cmd: testlib.Touch(post)},
+						{Cmd: testlib.ShC(`echo "{{ .Name }} {{ .Os }} {{ .Arch }} {{ .Arm }} {{ .Target }} {{ .Ext }}" > {{ .Path }}.post`), Output: true},
 					},
 				},
 			},
@@ -220,12 +208,12 @@ func TestRun(t *testing.T) {
 				ModTimestamp: fmt.Sprintf("%d", modTime.Unix()),
 				Hooks: config.BuildHookConfig{
 					Pre: []config.Hook{
-						{Cmd: touch + pre},
+						{Cmd: testlib.Touch(pre)},
 					},
 					Post: []config.Hook{
-						{Cmd: touch + post},
+						{Cmd: testlib.Touch(post)},
 						{
-							Cmd:    shc(`echo "{{ .Name }} {{ .Os }} {{ .Arch }} {{ .Arm }} {{ .Target }} {{ .Ext }}" > {{ .Path }}.post`),
+							Cmd:    testlib.ShC(`echo "{{ .Name }} {{ .Os }} {{ .Arch }} {{ .Arm }} {{ .Target }} {{ .Ext }}" > {{ .Path }}.post`),
 							Output: true,
 						},
 					},
@@ -330,7 +318,7 @@ func TestRun(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Run("failing pre-hook", func(t *testing.T) {
 		ctx := ctx5
 		ctx.Config.UniversalBinaries[0].Hooks.Pre = []config.Hook{{Cmd: "exit 1"}}
-		ctx.Config.UniversalBinaries[0].Hooks.Post = []config.Hook{{Cmd: echo + "post"}}
+		ctx.Config.UniversalBinaries[0].Hooks.Post = []config.Hook{{Cmd: "doesnt-matter"}}
 		err := Pipe{}.Run(ctx)
 		require.ErrorIs(t, err, exec.ErrNotFound)
 		require.ErrorContains(t, err, "pre hook failed")
@@ -338,7 +326,7 @@ func TestRun(t *testing.T) {
 
 	t.Run("failing post-hook", func(t *testing.T) {
 		ctx := ctx5
-		ctx.Config.UniversalBinaries[0].Hooks.Pre = []config.Hook{{Cmd: echo + "pre"}}
+		ctx.Config.UniversalBinaries[0].Hooks.Pre = []config.Hook{{Cmd: testlib.Echo("pre")}}
 		ctx.Config.UniversalBinaries[0].Hooks.Post = []config.Hook{{Cmd: "exit 1"}}
 		err := Pipe{}.Run(ctx)
 		require.ErrorIs(t, err, exec.ErrNotFound)
@@ -364,7 +352,7 @@ func TestRun(t *testing.T) {
 		ctx.Skips[string(skips.PostBuildHooks)] = false
 		ctx.Skips[string(skips.PreBuildHooks)] = false
 		ctx.Config.UniversalBinaries[0].Hooks.Pre = []config.Hook{{
-			Cmd: echo + "{{.Env.FOO}}",
+			Cmd: testlib.Echo("{{.Env.FOO}}"),
 			Env: []string{"FOO=foo-{{.Tag}}"},
 		}}
 		ctx.Config.UniversalBinaries[0].Hooks.Post = []config.Hook{}
@@ -376,7 +364,7 @@ func TestRun(t *testing.T) {
 		ctx.Skips[string(skips.PostBuildHooks)] = false
 		ctx.Skips[string(skips.PreBuildHooks)] = false
 		ctx.Config.UniversalBinaries[0].Hooks.Pre = []config.Hook{{
-			Cmd: echo + "blah",
+			Cmd: testlib.Echo("blah"),
 			Env: []string{"FOO=foo-{{.Tag}"},
 		}}
 		ctx.Config.UniversalBinaries[0].Hooks.Post = []config.Hook{}
@@ -386,7 +374,7 @@ func TestRun(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Run("hook with bad dir tmpl", func(t *testing.T) {
 		ctx := ctx5
 		ctx.Config.UniversalBinaries[0].Hooks.Pre = []config.Hook{{
-			Cmd: echo + "blah",
+			Cmd: testlib.Echo("blah"),
 			Dir: "{{.Tag}",
 		}}
 		ctx.Config.UniversalBinaries[0].Hooks.Post = []config.Hook{}
@@ -396,7 +384,7 @@ func TestRun(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Run("hook with bad cmd tmpl", func(t *testing.T) {
 		ctx := ctx5
 		ctx.Config.UniversalBinaries[0].Hooks.Pre = []config.Hook{{
-			Cmd: echo + "blah-{{.Tag }",
+			Cmd: testlib.Echo("blah-{{.Tag }"),
 		}}
 		ctx.Config.UniversalBinaries[0].Hooks.Post = []config.Hook{}
 		testlib.RequireTemplateError(t, Pipe{}.Run(ctx))
@@ -429,10 +417,3 @@ func checkUniversalBinary(tb testing.TB, unibin *artifact.Artifact) {
 	require.NoError(tb, err)
 	require.Len(tb, f.Arches, 2)
 }
-
-func shc(cmd string) string {
-	if testlib.IsWindows() {
-		return fmt.Sprintf("cmd.exe /c '%s'", cmd)
-	}
-	return fmt.Sprintf("sh -c '%s'", cmd)
-}
diff --git a/internal/shell/shell_test.go b/internal/shell/shell_test.go
index d074e285d..69ff01055 100644
--- a/internal/shell/shell_test.go
+++ b/internal/shell/shell_test.go
@@ -1,31 +1,39 @@
-//go:build !windows
-// +build !windows
-
 package shell_test
 
 import (
 	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
 	"testing"
 
 	"github.com/goreleaser/goreleaser/v2/internal/shell"
 	"github.com/goreleaser/goreleaser/v2/internal/testctx"
+	"github.com/goreleaser/goreleaser/v2/internal/testlib"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 )
 
 func TestRunCommand(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Run("simple", func(t *testing.T) {
-		require.NoError(t, shell.Run(testctx.New(), "", []string{"echo", "oi"}, []string{}, false))
+		require.NoError(t, shell.Run(
+			testctx.New(),
+			"",
+			strings.Fields(testlib.Echo("oi")),
+			[]string{},
+			false,
+		))
 	})
 
 	t.Run("cmd failed", func(t *testing.T) {
-		require.EqualError(
-			t,
-			shell.Run(testctx.New(), "", []string{"sh", "-c", "exit 1"}, []string{}, false),
-			`shell: 'sh -c exit 1': exit status 1: [no output]`,
-		)
+		require.Error(t, shell.Run(
+			testctx.New(),
+			"",
+			strings.Fields(testlib.Exit(1)),
+			[]string{},
+			false,
+		))
 	})
 
 	t.Run("cmd with output", func(t *testing.T) {
+		testlib.SkipIfWindows(t, "what would be a similar behavior in windows?")
 		require.EqualError(
 			t,
 			shell.Run(testctx.New(), "", []string{"sh", "-c", `echo something; exit 1`}, []string{}, true),
@@ -34,6 +42,7 @@ func TestRunCommand(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 
 	t.Run("with env and dir", func(t *testing.T) {
+		testlib.SkipIfWindows(t, "what would be a similar behavior in windows?")
 		dir := t.TempDir()
 		require.NoError(t, shell.Run(testctx.New(), dir, []string{"sh", "-c", "touch $FOO"}, []string{"FOO=bar"}, false))
 		require.FileExists(t, filepath.Join(dir, "bar"))
diff --git a/internal/shell/shell_windows_test.go b/internal/shell/shell_windows_test.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 1f3e01f41..000000000
--- a/internal/shell/shell_windows_test.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,28 +0,0 @@
-//go:build windows
-// +build windows
-
-package shell_test
-
-import (
-	"testing"
-
-	"github.com/goreleaser/goreleaser/v2/internal/shell"
-	"github.com/goreleaser/goreleaser/v2/internal/testctx"
-	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
-)
-
-func TestRunCommandWindows(t *testing.T) {
-	t.Run("simple", func(t *testing.T) {
-		require.NoError(t, shell.Run(testctx.New(), "", []string{"cmd.exe", "/c", "echo", "oi"}, []string{}, false))
-	})
-
-	t.Run("cmd failed", func(t *testing.T) {
-		require.EqualError(
-			t,
-			shell.Run(testctx.New(), "", []string{"cmd.exe", "/c", "exit /b 1"}, []string{}, false),
-			`shell: 'cmd.exe /c exit /b 1': exit status 1: [no output]`,
-		)
-	})
-
-	// TODO: more tests for windows
-}
diff --git a/internal/testlib/path.go b/internal/testlib/path.go
index 7314274ee..713981b35 100644
--- a/internal/testlib/path.go
+++ b/internal/testlib/path.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package testlib
 
 import (
+	"fmt"
 	"os"
 	"os/exec"
 	"runtime"
@@ -28,9 +29,42 @@ func InPath(cmd string) bool {
 func IsWindows() bool { return runtime.GOOS == "windows" }
 
 // SkipIfWindows skips the test if runtime OS is windows.
-func SkipIfWindows(tb testing.TB) {
+func SkipIfWindows(tb testing.TB, args ...any) {
 	tb.Helper()
 	if IsWindows() {
-		tb.Skip("test skipped on windows")
+		tb.Skip(args...)
 	}
 }
+
+// Echo returns a `echo s` command, handling it on windows.
+func Echo(s string) string {
+	if IsWindows() {
+		return "cmd.exe /c echo " + s
+	}
+	return "echo " + s
+}
+
+// Touch returns a `touch name` command, handling it on windows.
+func Touch(name string) string {
+	if IsWindows() {
+		return "cmd.exe /c copy nul " + name
+	}
+	return "touch " + name
+}
+
+// ShC returns the command line for the given cmd wrapped into a `sh -c` in
+// linux/mac, and the cmd.exe command in windows.
+func ShC(cmd string) string {
+	if IsWindows() {
+		return fmt.Sprintf("cmd.exe /c '%s'", cmd)
+	}
+	return fmt.Sprintf("sh -c '%s'", cmd)
+}
+
+// Exit returns a command that exits the given status, handling windows.
+func Exit(status int) string {
+	if IsWindows() {
+		return fmt.Sprintf("cmd.exe /c exit /b %d", status)
+	}
+	return fmt.Sprintf("exit %d", status)
+}