I'm using the command line mode on Windows and it works fine. I don't need scripting or gui. Can someone tell me the minimum set of files I need from the official release package? Thanks.

gib wrote:I'm using the command line mode on Windows and it works fine.

I imagine by this you mean you've opened something along the lines of C:\Program Files\Inkscape in the "cmd" prompt and then typed inkscape, you hit Enter and Inkscape started up as it should? However, these lines are not entirely clear:

gib wrote:I don't need scripting or gui. Can someone tell me the minimum set of files I need from the official release package? Thanks.

It almost seems like you're asking how many of the zipped setup are necessary to be placed in the Program Files folder in order to get Inkscape to work. but that doesn't make much sense since you've managed to start Inkscape successfully.

The compiled release of inkscape is configured to use the files that come with the package. Deleting some of the files may cause inkscape to falter, even though it may be files that you have no particular interest in. If you're after a minimalist getup that is suited to your needs, you need to know what files comprise this and how to configure not to use the rest. In other words, compile it yourself to suit your needs. I'm not aware of any minimalist distribution for thumb drives or such. Maybe someone knows of such a thing.
Many moons ago I did determine exactly what's needed for a complex software system just by the judicious use of delete/undelete and sysinternals utilities to watch system file calls. But then I knew how a lot of it worked beforehand and it was built for different platforms and thus very modular. I have a hunch that a lot of files in inkscape are bootstrapped or somehow included that it will balk on startup if they're missing.