:compare_git_versions
    if %errorlevel% geq 0 (
        :: compare the user git version against the vendored version
        %lib_git% compare_versions USER VENDORED

        :: use the user provided git if its version is greater than, or equal to the vendored git
        if %errorlevel% geq 0 if exist "%test_dir:~0,-4%\cmd\git.exe" (
            set "GIT_INSTALL_ROOT=%test_dir:~0,-4%"
            set test_dir=
            goto :FOUND_GIT
        ) else if %errorlevel% geq 0 (
            set "GIT_INSTALL_ROOT=%test_dir%"
            set test_dir=
            goto :FOUND_GIT
        ) else (
            call :verbose_output Found old %GIT_VERSION_USER% in "%test_dir%", but not using...
            set test_dir=
        )
    ) else (
        :: compare the user git version against the vendored version
        :: if the user provided git executable is not found
        if %errorlevel% equ -255 (
            call :verbose_output No git at "%git_executable%" found.
            set test_dir=
        )
    )
    exit /b