Third-party C++ library, where to install?
===

I'm about to start work on a project that is supposed to be cross-platform. The code already works on Mac OS X, and I've taken on the task to write a new GUI for Windows and Linux.

I was thinking of starting with Windows, but then I've ran into some problems. I need some third-party C++ libraries, but I'm not sure how I should set up the VC++ solution.

More specifically, where can I assume the third-party libraries are installed? Are there standard folders on Windows where I can expect the libraries to be installed? 

Or is it better to include a custom build script that fetches the needed libraries from the web, and extracts to a folder of my choosing, something like:

    [git repository]
        [vc++ solution files]
            [ externallibs]
                bin/
                    *.dll
                include/
                    *.h
                lib/
                    *.lib
        [non-windows stuff]

and reference those folders in the solution?

At my workplace, we do something similar, with .NET assemblies (but only DLL's, of course).

Thank you!