diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 6b1f47cf3..29027746c 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -372,6 +372,15 @@ endif
 ################################################################################
 include lib/compiler-rt/compiler-rt.mk
 
+# Allow overriding the timestamp, for example for reproducible builds, or to
+# synchronize timestamps across multiple projects.
+# This must be set to a C string (including quotes where applicable).
+BUILD_MESSAGE_TIMESTAMP ?= __TIME__", "__DATE__
+
+DEFINES += -DBUILD_MESSAGE_TIMESTAMP='$(BUILD_MESSAGE_TIMESTAMP)'
+DEFINES += -DBUILD_MESSAGE_VERSION_STRING='"$(VERSION_STRING)"'
+DEFINES += -DBUILD_MESSAGE_VERSION='"$(VERSION)"'
+
 BL_COMMON_SOURCES	+=	common/bl_common.c			\
 				common/tf_log.c				\
 				common/${ARCH}/debug.S			\
@@ -1682,7 +1691,7 @@ else
 endif #(UNIX_MK)
 
 romlib.bin: libraries FORCE
-	${Q}${MAKE} PLAT_DIR=${PLAT_DIR} BUILD_PLAT=${BUILD_PLAT} ENABLE_BTI=${ENABLE_BTI} ARM_ARCH_MINOR=${ARM_ARCH_MINOR} INCLUDES='${INCLUDES}' DEFINES='${DEFINES}' --no-print-directory -C ${ROMLIBPATH} all
+	${Q}${MAKE} PLAT_DIR=${PLAT_DIR} BUILD_PLAT=${BUILD_PLAT} ENABLE_BTI=${ENABLE_BTI} ARM_ARCH_MINOR=${ARM_ARCH_MINOR} INCLUDES=$(call escape-shell,$(INCLUDES)) DEFINES=$(call escape-shell,$(DEFINES)) --no-print-directory -C ${ROMLIBPATH} all
 
 memmap: all
 ifdef UNIX_MK
diff --git a/bl1/bl1_main.c b/bl1/bl1_main.c
index 1dfdc459b..9f19b4a47 100644
--- a/bl1/bl1_main.c
+++ b/bl1/bl1_main.c
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
 #include <arch_helpers.h>
 #include <bl1/bl1.h>
 #include <common/bl_common.h>
+#include <common/build_message.h>
 #include <common/debug.h>
 #include <drivers/auth/auth_mod.h>
 #include <drivers/auth/crypto_mod.h>
@@ -73,7 +74,7 @@ void bl1_main(void)
 
 	/* Announce our arrival */
 	NOTICE(FIRMWARE_WELCOME_STR);
-	NOTICE("BL1: %s\n", version_string);
+	NOTICE("BL1: %s\n", build_version_string);
 	NOTICE("BL1: %s\n", build_message);
 
 	INFO("BL1: RAM %p - %p\n", (void *)BL1_RAM_BASE, (void *)BL1_RAM_LIMIT);
diff --git a/bl2/bl2_main.c b/bl2/bl2_main.c
index 923a554fb..4c68f076a 100644
--- a/bl2/bl2_main.c
+++ b/bl2/bl2_main.c
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright (c) 2013-2023, Arm Limited and Contributors. All rights reserved.
+ * Copyright (c) 2013-2024, Arm Limited and Contributors. All rights reserved.
  *
  * SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
  */
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
 #include <bl1/bl1.h>
 #include <bl2/bl2.h>
 #include <common/bl_common.h>
+#include <common/build_message.h>
 #include <common/debug.h>
 #include <drivers/auth/auth_mod.h>
 #include <drivers/auth/crypto_mod.h>
@@ -92,7 +93,7 @@ void bl2_main(void)
 	PMF_CAPTURE_TIMESTAMP(bl_svc, BL2_ENTRY, PMF_CACHE_MAINT);
 #endif
 
-	NOTICE("BL2: %s\n", version_string);
+	NOTICE("BL2: %s\n", build_version_string);
 	NOTICE("BL2: %s\n", build_message);
 
 	/* Perform remaining generic architectural setup in S-EL1 */
diff --git a/bl2u/bl2u_main.c b/bl2u/bl2u_main.c
index fcb73b9c7..cd13defea 100644
--- a/bl2u/bl2u_main.c
+++ b/bl2u/bl2u_main.c
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright (c) 2015-2020, ARM Limited and Contributors. All rights reserved.
+ * Copyright (c) 2015-2024, Arm Limited and Contributors. All rights reserved.
  *
  * SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
  */
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 #include <bl1/bl1.h>
 #include <bl2u/bl2u.h>
 #include <common/bl_common.h>
+#include <common/build_message.h>
 #include <common/debug.h>
 #include <drivers/auth/auth_mod.h>
 #include <drivers/console.h>
@@ -27,7 +28,7 @@
  ******************************************************************************/
 void bl2u_main(void)
 {
-	NOTICE("BL2U: %s\n", version_string);
+	NOTICE("BL2U: %s\n", build_version_string);
 	NOTICE("BL2U: %s\n", build_message);
 
 #if SCP_BL2U_BASE
diff --git a/bl31/bl31_main.c b/bl31/bl31_main.c
index 98078171d..cae9b140f 100644
--- a/bl31/bl31_main.c
+++ b/bl31/bl31_main.c
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright (c) 2013-2023, Arm Limited and Contributors. All rights reserved.
+ * Copyright (c) 2013-2024, Arm Limited and Contributors. All rights reserved.
  *
  * SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
  */
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
 #include <bl31/bl31.h>
 #include <bl31/ehf.h>
 #include <common/bl_common.h>
+#include <common/build_message.h>
 #include <common/debug.h>
 #include <common/feat_detect.h>
 #include <common/runtime_svc.h>
@@ -128,7 +129,7 @@ void bl31_main(void)
 	/* Init per-world context registers for non-secure world */
 	manage_extensions_nonsecure_per_world();
 
-	NOTICE("BL31: %s\n", version_string);
+	NOTICE("BL31: %s\n", build_version_string);
 	NOTICE("BL31: %s\n", build_message);
 
 #if FEATURE_DETECTION
diff --git a/bl32/sp_min/sp_min_main.c b/bl32/sp_min/sp_min_main.c
index 26cf2079d..61feaeca5 100644
--- a/bl32/sp_min/sp_min_main.c
+++ b/bl32/sp_min/sp_min_main.c
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright (c) 2016-2023, Arm Limited and Contributors. All rights reserved.
+ * Copyright (c) 2016-2024, Arm Limited and Contributors. All rights reserved.
  *
  * SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
  */
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 #include <arch.h>
 #include <arch_helpers.h>
 #include <common/bl_common.h>
+#include <common/build_message.h>
 #include <common/debug.h>
 #include <common/runtime_svc.h>
 #include <context.h>
@@ -175,7 +176,7 @@ uintptr_t get_arm_std_svc_args(unsigned int svc_mask)
  *****************************************************************************/
 void sp_min_main(void)
 {
-	NOTICE("SP_MIN: %s\n", version_string);
+	NOTICE("SP_MIN: %s\n", build_version_string);
 	NOTICE("SP_MIN: %s\n", build_message);
 
 	/* Perform the SP_MIN platform setup */
diff --git a/bl32/tsp/tsp_ffa_main.c b/bl32/tsp/tsp_ffa_main.c
index 1c8c68f03..8273060bd 100644
--- a/bl32/tsp/tsp_ffa_main.c
+++ b/bl32/tsp/tsp_ffa_main.c
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright (c) 2013-2022, ARM Limited and Contributors. All rights reserved.
+ * Copyright (c) 2013-2024, Arm Limited and Contributors. All rights reserved.
  *
  * SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
  */
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 #include <arch_helpers.h>
 #include <bl32/tsp/tsp.h>
 #include <common/bl_common.h>
+#include <common/build_message.h>
 #include <common/debug.h>
 #include "ffa_helpers.h"
 #include <lib/psci/psci.h>
@@ -554,7 +555,7 @@ uint64_t tsp_main(void)
 {
 	smc_args_t smc_args = {0};
 
-	NOTICE("TSP: %s\n", version_string);
+	NOTICE("TSP: %s\n", build_version_string);
 	NOTICE("TSP: %s\n", build_message);
 	INFO("TSP: Total memory base : 0x%lx\n", (unsigned long) BL32_BASE);
 	INFO("TSP: Total memory size : 0x%lx bytes\n", BL32_TOTAL_SIZE);
diff --git a/bl32/tsp/tsp_main.c b/bl32/tsp/tsp_main.c
index 805575a21..ae38d6904 100644
--- a/bl32/tsp/tsp_main.c
+++ b/bl32/tsp/tsp_main.c
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@
 #include <arch_helpers.h>
 #include <bl32/tsp/tsp.h>
 #include <common/bl_common.h>
+#include <common/build_message.h>
 #include <common/debug.h>
 #include <lib/spinlock.h>
 #include <plat/common/platform.h>
@@ -27,7 +28,7 @@
  ******************************************************************************/
 uint64_t tsp_main(void)
 {
-	NOTICE("TSP: %s\n", version_string);
+	NOTICE("TSP: %s\n", build_version_string);
 	NOTICE("TSP: %s\n", build_message);
 	INFO("TSP: Total memory base : 0x%lx\n", (unsigned long) BL32_BASE);
 	INFO("TSP: Total memory size : 0x%lx bytes\n", BL32_TOTAL_SIZE);
diff --git a/common/bl_common.c b/common/bl_common.c
index 8fce02fba..fe4de0ae7 100644
--- a/common/bl_common.c
+++ b/common/bl_common.c
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright (c) 2013-2022, Arm Limited and Contributors. All rights reserved.
+ * Copyright (c) 2013-2024, Arm Limited and Contributors. All rights reserved.
  *
  * SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
  */
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@
 #include <arch_features.h>
 #include <arch_helpers.h>
 #include <common/bl_common.h>
+#include <common/build_message.h>
 #include <common/debug.h>
 #include <drivers/auth/auth_mod.h>
 #include <drivers/io/io_storage.h>
@@ -275,6 +276,5 @@ void print_entry_point_info(const entry_point_info_t *ep_info)
  */
 const char *get_version(void)
 {
-	extern const char version[];
-	return version;
+	return build_version;
 }
diff --git a/include/common/bl_common.h b/include/common/bl_common.h
index 4c8a17c5b..647ae853b 100644
--- a/include/common/bl_common.h
+++ b/include/common/bl_common.h
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright (c) 2013-2022, ARM Limited and Contributors. All rights reserved.
+ * Copyright (c) 2013-2024, Arm Limited and Contributors. All rights reserved.
  *
  * SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
  */
@@ -180,8 +180,6 @@ int load_auth_image(unsigned int image_id, image_info_t *image_data);
 void dyn_disable_auth(void);
 #endif
 
-extern const char build_message[];
-extern const char version_string[];
 const char *get_version(void);
 
 void print_entry_point_info(const entry_point_info_t *ep_info);
diff --git a/include/common/build_message.h b/include/common/build_message.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..b7c2f7245
--- /dev/null
+++ b/include/common/build_message.h
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (c) 2024, Arm Limited. All rights reserved.
+ *
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
+ */
+
+#ifndef BUILD_MESSAGE_H
+#define BUILD_MESSAGE_H
+
+static const char build_message[] = "Built : " BUILD_MESSAGE_TIMESTAMP;
+static const char build_version_string[] = BUILD_MESSAGE_VERSION_STRING;
+static const char build_version[] = BUILD_MESSAGE_VERSION;
+
+#endif /* BUILD_MESSAGE_H */
diff --git a/make_helpers/build_macros.mk b/make_helpers/build_macros.mk
index 36ac1269a..cfd46d9ef 100644
--- a/make_helpers/build_macros.mk
+++ b/make_helpers/build_macros.mk
@@ -438,11 +438,6 @@ define SOURCES_TO_OBJS
         $(notdir $(patsubst %.S,%.o,$(filter %.S,$(1))))
 endef
 
-# Allow overriding the timestamp, for example for reproducible builds, or to
-# synchronize timestamps across multiple projects.
-# This must be set to a C string (including quotes where applicable).
-BUILD_MESSAGE_TIMESTAMP ?= __TIME__", "__DATE__
-
 .PHONY: libraries
 
 # MAKE_LIB_DIRS macro defines the target for the directory where
@@ -562,30 +557,19 @@ $(eval OBJS += $(MODULE_OBJS))
 
 $(ELF): $(OBJS) $(DEFAULT_LINKER_SCRIPT) $(LINKER_SCRIPTS) | $(1)_dirs libraries $(BL_LIBS)
 	$$(ECHO) "  LD      $$@"
-ifdef MAKE_BUILD_STRINGS
-	$(call MAKE_BUILD_STRINGS,$(BUILD_DIR)/build_message.o)
-else
-	@echo 'const char build_message[] = "Built : "$(BUILD_MESSAGE_TIMESTAMP); \
-	       const char version_string[] = "${VERSION_STRING}"; \
-	       const char version[] = "${VERSION}";' | \
-		$($(ARCH)-cc) $$(TF_CFLAGS) $$(CFLAGS) -xc -c - -o $(BUILD_DIR)/build_message.o
-endif
 ifeq ($($(ARCH)-ld-id),arm-link)
 	$$(Q)$($(ARCH)-ld) -o $$@ $$(TF_LDFLAGS) $$(LDFLAGS) $(BL_LDFLAGS) --entry=${1}_entrypoint \
 		--predefine="-D__LINKER__=$(__LINKER__)" \
 		--predefine="-DTF_CFLAGS=$(TF_CFLAGS)" \
 		--map --list="$(MAPFILE)" --scatter=${PLAT_DIR}/scat/${1}.scat \
-		$(LDPATHS) $(LIBWRAPPER) $(LDLIBS) $(BL_LIBS) \
-		$(BUILD_DIR)/build_message.o $(OBJS)
+		$(LDPATHS) $(LIBWRAPPER) $(LDLIBS) $(BL_LIBS) $(OBJS)
 else ifeq ($($(ARCH)-ld-id),gnu-gcc)
 	$$(Q)$($(ARCH)-ld) -o $$@ $$(TF_LDFLAGS) $$(LDFLAGS) $(BL_LDFLAGS) -Wl,-Map=$(MAPFILE) \
 		$(addprefix -Wl$(comma)--script$(comma),$(LINKER_SCRIPTS)) -Wl,--script,$(DEFAULT_LINKER_SCRIPT) \
-		$(BUILD_DIR)/build_message.o \
 		$(OBJS) $(LDPATHS) $(LIBWRAPPER) $(LDLIBS) $(BL_LIBS)
 else
 	$$(Q)$($(ARCH)-ld) -o $$@ $$(TF_LDFLAGS) $$(LDFLAGS) $(BL_LDFLAGS) -Map=$(MAPFILE) \
 		$(addprefix -T ,$(LINKER_SCRIPTS)) --script $(DEFAULT_LINKER_SCRIPT) \
-		$(BUILD_DIR)/build_message.o \
 		$(OBJS) $(LDPATHS) $(LIBWRAPPER) $(LDLIBS) $(BL_LIBS)
 endif
 ifeq ($(DISABLE_BIN_GENERATION),1)
diff --git a/make_helpers/windows.mk b/make_helpers/windows.mk
index a75a74021..de34eafb7 100644
--- a/make_helpers/windows.mk
+++ b/make_helpers/windows.mk
@@ -79,16 +79,4 @@ endif
 # This can be overridden from the command line or environment.
 BUILD_STRING ?= development build
 
-# The DOS echo shell command does not strip ' characters from the command
-# parameters before printing. We therefore use an alternative method invoked
-# by defining the MAKE_BUILD_STRINGS macro.
-BUILT_TIME_DATE_STRING = const char build_message[] = "Built : "${BUILD_MESSAGE_TIMESTAMP};
-VERSION_STRING_MESSAGE = const char version_string[] = "${VERSION_STRING}";
-VERSION_MESSAGE = const char version[] = "${VERSION}";
-define MAKE_BUILD_STRINGS
-	$$(file >$1.in,$$(TF_CFLAGS) $$(CFLAGS))
-	@echo $$(BUILT_TIME_DATE_STRING) $$(VERSION_STRING_MESSAGE) $$(VERSION_MESSAGE) | \
-		$($(ARCH)-cc) @$1.in -x c -c - -o $1
-endef
-
 MSVC_NMAKE := nmake.exe
diff --git a/plat/arm/board/fvp_r/fvp_r_bl1_main.c b/plat/arm/board/fvp_r/fvp_r_bl1_main.c
index 29495cfcb..6fe2b5b36 100644
--- a/plat/arm/board/fvp_r/fvp_r_bl1_main.c
+++ b/plat/arm/board/fvp_r/fvp_r_bl1_main.c
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright (c) 2021, ARM Limited and Contributors. All rights reserved.
+ * Copyright (c) 2021-2024, Arm Limited and Contributors. All rights reserved.
  *
  * SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
  */
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@
 #include <arch_helpers.h>
 #include <bl1/bl1.h>
 #include <common/bl_common.h>
+#include <common/build_message.h>
 #include <common/debug.h>
 #include <drivers/auth/auth_mod.h>
 #include <drivers/console.h>
@@ -161,7 +162,7 @@ void bl1_main(void)
 
 	/* Announce our arrival */
 	NOTICE(FIRMWARE_WELCOME_STR);
-	NOTICE("BL1: %s\n", version_string);
+	NOTICE("BL1: %s\n", build_version_string);
 	NOTICE("BL1: %s\n", build_message);
 
 	INFO("BL1: RAM %p - %p\n", (void *)BL1_RAM_BASE, (void *)BL1_RAM_LIMIT);
@@ -244,4 +245,3 @@ void print_debug_loop_message(void)
 	NOTICE("BL1: Please connect the debugger to continue\n");
 }
 #endif
-
diff --git a/plat/arm/board/morello/morello_image_load.c b/plat/arm/board/morello/morello_image_load.c
index cfe8bee58..b95903198 100644
--- a/plat/arm/board/morello/morello_image_load.c
+++ b/plat/arm/board/morello/morello_image_load.c
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
  */
 
 #include <arch_helpers.h>
+#include <common/build_message.h>
 #include <common/debug.h>
 #include <common/desc_image_load.h>
 #include <drivers/arm/css/sds.h>
@@ -142,7 +143,7 @@ static int plat_morello_append_config_node(struct morello_plat_info *plat_info,
 		return -1;
 	}
 
-	err = fdt_setprop_string(fdt, nodeoffset_fw, "tfa-fw-version", version_string);
+	err = fdt_setprop_string(fdt, nodeoffset_fw, "tfa-fw-version", build_version_string);
 	if (err < 0) {
 		WARN("NT_FW_CONFIG: Unable to set tfa-fw-version\n");
 	}
diff --git a/plat/imx/common/imx_sip_handler.c b/plat/imx/common/imx_sip_handler.c
index 5d2918686..49fdacf0b 100644
--- a/plat/imx/common/imx_sip_handler.c
+++ b/plat/imx/common/imx_sip_handler.c
@@ -9,9 +9,10 @@
 #include <stdint.h>
 #include <services/std_svc.h>
 #include <string.h>
-#include <platform_def.h>
+#include <common/build_message.h>
 #include <common/debug.h>
 #include <common/runtime_svc.h>
+#include <platform_def.h>
 #include <imx_sip_svc.h>
 #include <lib/el3_runtime/context_mgmt.h>
 #include <lib/mmio.h>
@@ -261,7 +262,7 @@ static uint64_t imx_get_commit_hash(u_register_t x2,
 		    u_register_t x4)
 {
 	/* Parse the version_string */
-	char *parse = (char *)version_string;
+	char *parse = (char *)build_version_string;
 	uint64_t hash = 0;
 
 	do {
diff --git a/services/std_svc/rmmd/trp/trp_main.c b/services/std_svc/rmmd/trp/trp_main.c
index 33f2fb088..b75483cb6 100644
--- a/services/std_svc/rmmd/trp/trp_main.c
+++ b/services/std_svc/rmmd/trp/trp_main.c
@@ -1,9 +1,10 @@
 /*
- * Copyright (c) 2021-2022, Arm Limited and Contributors. All rights reserved.
+ * Copyright (c) 2021-2024, Arm Limited and Contributors. All rights reserved.
  *
  * SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
  */
 
+#include <common/build_message.h>
 #include <common/debug.h>
 #include <plat/common/platform.h>
 #include <services/rmm_core_manifest.h>
@@ -86,7 +87,7 @@ int trp_validate_warmboot_args(uint64_t x0, uint64_t x1,
 /* Main function for TRP */
 void trp_main(void)
 {
-	NOTICE("TRP: %s\n", version_string);
+	NOTICE("TRP: %s\n", build_version_string);
 	NOTICE("TRP: %s\n", build_message);
 	NOTICE("TRP: Supported RMM-EL3 Interface ABI: v.%u.%u\n",
 		TRP_RMM_EL3_ABI_VERS_MAJOR, TRP_RMM_EL3_ABI_VERS_MINOR);