diff --git a/src/qca_systemstore_win.cpp b/src/qca_systemstore_win.cpp
index b48d8529..8e8b0c46 100644
--- a/src/qca_systemstore_win.cpp
+++ b/src/qca_systemstore_win.cpp
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@
 #include "qca_systemstore.h"
 
 #include <windows.h>
+// do not remove this comment. it keeps windows.h on the top during clang-format phase
 #include <wincrypt.h>
 
 namespace QCA {