diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwclass/activator.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwclass/activator.cpp
index 9e99b4cacb..fc6cfadb55 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwclass/activator.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwclass/activator.cpp
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #include "activator.hpp"
 
 #include <MyGUI_TextIterator.h>
+#include <MyGUI_UString.h>
 
 #include <components/esm3/loadacti.hpp>
 #include <components/esm3/loadcrea.hpp>
@@ -27,7 +28,6 @@
 #include "../mwrender/vismask.hpp"
 
 #include "../mwgui/tooltips.hpp"
-#include "../mwgui/ustring.hpp"
 
 #include "../mwmechanics/npcstats.hpp"
 
@@ -102,8 +102,7 @@ namespace MWClass
 
         MWGui::ToolTipInfo info;
         std::string_view name = getName(ptr);
-        info.caption
-            = MyGUI::TextIterator::toTagsString(MWGui::toUString(name)) + MWGui::ToolTips::getCountString(count);
+        info.caption = MyGUI::TextIterator::toTagsString(MyGUI::UString(name)) + MWGui::ToolTips::getCountString(count);
 
         std::string text;
         if (MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->getFullHelp())
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwclass/apparatus.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwclass/apparatus.cpp
index 2fbe2f9f87..10687171a0 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwclass/apparatus.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwclass/apparatus.cpp
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #include "apparatus.hpp"
 
 #include <MyGUI_TextIterator.h>
+#include <MyGUI_UString.h>
 
 #include "../mwbase/environment.hpp"
 #include "../mwbase/windowmanager.hpp"
@@ -15,7 +16,6 @@
 #include "../mwrender/renderinginterface.hpp"
 
 #include "../mwgui/tooltips.hpp"
-#include "../mwgui/ustring.hpp"
 
 #include "classmodel.hpp"
 
@@ -92,8 +92,7 @@ namespace MWClass
 
         MWGui::ToolTipInfo info;
         std::string_view name = getName(ptr);
-        info.caption
-            = MyGUI::TextIterator::toTagsString(MWGui::toUString(name)) + MWGui::ToolTips::getCountString(count);
+        info.caption = MyGUI::TextIterator::toTagsString(MyGUI::UString(name)) + MWGui::ToolTips::getCountString(count);
         info.icon = ref->mBase->mIcon;
 
         std::string text;
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwclass/armor.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwclass/armor.cpp
index 54561e3b0f..4006f21ce7 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwclass/armor.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwclass/armor.cpp
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #include "armor.hpp"
 
 #include <MyGUI_TextIterator.h>
+#include <MyGUI_UString.h>
 
 #include <components/esm3/loadarmo.hpp>
 #include <components/esm3/loadgmst.hpp>
@@ -24,7 +25,6 @@
 #include "../mwrender/renderinginterface.hpp"
 
 #include "../mwgui/tooltips.hpp"
-#include "../mwgui/ustring.hpp"
 
 #include "classmodel.hpp"
 
@@ -217,8 +217,7 @@ namespace MWClass
 
         MWGui::ToolTipInfo info;
         std::string_view name = getName(ptr);
-        info.caption
-            = MyGUI::TextIterator::toTagsString(MWGui::toUString(name)) + MWGui::ToolTips::getCountString(count);
+        info.caption = MyGUI::TextIterator::toTagsString(MyGUI::UString(name)) + MWGui::ToolTips::getCountString(count);
         info.icon = ref->mBase->mIcon;
 
         std::string text;
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwclass/book.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwclass/book.cpp
index b2b65e01b2..55de7a64ab 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwclass/book.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwclass/book.cpp
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #include "book.hpp"
 
 #include <MyGUI_TextIterator.h>
+#include <MyGUI_UString.h>
 
 #include <components/esm3/loadbook.hpp>
 #include <components/esm3/loadsoun.hpp>
@@ -19,7 +20,6 @@
 #include "../mwrender/renderinginterface.hpp"
 
 #include "../mwgui/tooltips.hpp"
-#include "../mwgui/ustring.hpp"
 
 #include "../mwmechanics/npcstats.hpp"
 
@@ -111,8 +111,7 @@ namespace MWClass
 
         MWGui::ToolTipInfo info;
         std::string_view name = getName(ptr);
-        info.caption
-            = MyGUI::TextIterator::toTagsString(MWGui::toUString(name)) + MWGui::ToolTips::getCountString(count);
+        info.caption = MyGUI::TextIterator::toTagsString(MyGUI::UString(name)) + MWGui::ToolTips::getCountString(count);
         info.icon = ref->mBase->mIcon;
 
         std::string text;
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwclass/clothing.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwclass/clothing.cpp
index cbc5cecb70..0614c92eb9 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwclass/clothing.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwclass/clothing.cpp
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #include "clothing.hpp"
 
 #include <MyGUI_TextIterator.h>
+#include <MyGUI_UString.h>
 
 #include <components/esm3/loadclot.hpp>
 #include <components/esm3/loadnpc.hpp>
@@ -16,7 +17,6 @@
 #include "../mwworld/ptr.hpp"
 
 #include "../mwgui/tooltips.hpp"
-#include "../mwgui/ustring.hpp"
 
 #include "../mwrender/objects.hpp"
 #include "../mwrender/renderinginterface.hpp"
@@ -154,8 +154,7 @@ namespace MWClass
 
         MWGui::ToolTipInfo info;
         std::string_view name = getName(ptr);
-        info.caption
-            = MyGUI::TextIterator::toTagsString(MWGui::toUString(name)) + MWGui::ToolTips::getCountString(count);
+        info.caption = MyGUI::TextIterator::toTagsString(MyGUI::UString(name)) + MWGui::ToolTips::getCountString(count);
         info.icon = ref->mBase->mIcon;
 
         std::string text;
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwclass/container.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwclass/container.cpp
index db9e2fc08d..0efbbc84fd 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwclass/container.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwclass/container.cpp
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #include "container.hpp"
 
 #include <MyGUI_TextIterator.h>
+#include <MyGUI_UString.h>
 
 #include <components/esm3/containerstate.hpp>
 #include <components/esm3/loadcont.hpp>
@@ -24,7 +25,6 @@
 #include "../mwworld/worldmodel.hpp"
 
 #include "../mwgui/tooltips.hpp"
-#include "../mwgui/ustring.hpp"
 
 #include "../mwrender/animation.hpp"
 #include "../mwrender/objects.hpp"
@@ -249,7 +249,7 @@ namespace MWClass
 
         MWGui::ToolTipInfo info;
         std::string_view name = getName(ptr);
-        info.caption = MyGUI::TextIterator::toTagsString(MWGui::toUString(name));
+        info.caption = MyGUI::TextIterator::toTagsString(MyGUI::UString(name));
 
         std::string text;
         int lockLevel = ptr.getCellRef().getLockLevel();
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwclass/creature.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwclass/creature.cpp
index eebcb99512..2628cd3905 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwclass/creature.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwclass/creature.cpp
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #include "creature.hpp"
 
 #include <MyGUI_TextIterator.h>
+#include <MyGUI_UString.h>
 
 #include <components/esm3/creaturestate.hpp>
 #include <components/esm3/loadclas.hpp>
@@ -45,7 +46,6 @@
 #include "../mwrender/renderinginterface.hpp"
 
 #include "../mwgui/tooltips.hpp"
-#include "../mwgui/ustring.hpp"
 
 #include "classmodel.hpp"
 
@@ -582,7 +582,7 @@ namespace MWClass
 
         MWGui::ToolTipInfo info;
         std::string_view name = getName(ptr);
-        info.caption = MyGUI::TextIterator::toTagsString(MWGui::toUString(name));
+        info.caption = MyGUI::TextIterator::toTagsString(MyGUI::UString(name));
 
         std::string text;
         if (MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->getFullHelp())
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwclass/door.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwclass/door.cpp
index ecd6cb59aa..695bea5f10 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwclass/door.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwclass/door.cpp
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #include "door.hpp"
 
 #include <MyGUI_TextIterator.h>
+#include <MyGUI_UString.h>
 
 #include <components/esm3/doorstate.hpp>
 #include <components/esm3/loaddoor.hpp>
@@ -25,7 +26,6 @@
 #include "../mwworld/worldmodel.hpp"
 
 #include "../mwgui/tooltips.hpp"
-#include "../mwgui/ustring.hpp"
 
 #include "../mwrender/animation.hpp"
 #include "../mwrender/objects.hpp"
@@ -267,7 +267,7 @@ namespace MWClass
 
         MWGui::ToolTipInfo info;
         std::string_view name = getName(ptr);
-        info.caption = MyGUI::TextIterator::toTagsString(MWGui::toUString(name));
+        info.caption = MyGUI::TextIterator::toTagsString(MyGUI::UString(name));
 
         std::string text;
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwclass/esm4base.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwclass/esm4base.cpp
index 956fc210ee..77a5ad94a6 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwclass/esm4base.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwclass/esm4base.cpp
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
 #include "esm4base.hpp"
 
 #include <MyGUI_TextIterator.h>
+#include <MyGUI_UString.h>
 
 #include <components/sceneutil/positionattitudetransform.hpp>
 
 #include "../mwgui/tooltips.hpp"
-#include "../mwgui/ustring.hpp"
 
 #include "../mwrender/objects.hpp"
 #include "../mwrender/renderinginterface.hpp"
@@ -35,8 +35,7 @@ namespace MWClass
     MWGui::ToolTipInfo ESM4Impl::getToolTipInfo(std::string_view name, int count)
     {
         MWGui::ToolTipInfo info;
-        info.caption
-            = MyGUI::TextIterator::toTagsString(MWGui::toUString(name)) + MWGui::ToolTips::getCountString(count);
+        info.caption = MyGUI::TextIterator::toTagsString(MyGUI::UString(name)) + MWGui::ToolTips::getCountString(count);
         return info;
     }
 }
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwclass/ingredient.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwclass/ingredient.cpp
index e87f74218b..3e07a24610 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwclass/ingredient.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwclass/ingredient.cpp
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #include "ingredient.hpp"
 
 #include <MyGUI_TextIterator.h>
+#include <MyGUI_UString.h>
 
 #include <components/esm3/loadingr.hpp>
 #include <components/esm3/loadnpc.hpp>
@@ -16,7 +17,6 @@
 #include "../mwworld/ptr.hpp"
 
 #include "../mwgui/tooltips.hpp"
-#include "../mwgui/ustring.hpp"
 
 #include "../mwrender/objects.hpp"
 #include "../mwrender/renderinginterface.hpp"
@@ -107,8 +107,7 @@ namespace MWClass
 
         MWGui::ToolTipInfo info;
         std::string_view name = getName(ptr);
-        info.caption
-            = MyGUI::TextIterator::toTagsString(MWGui::toUString(name)) + MWGui::ToolTips::getCountString(count);
+        info.caption = MyGUI::TextIterator::toTagsString(MyGUI::UString(name)) + MWGui::ToolTips::getCountString(count);
         info.icon = ref->mBase->mIcon;
 
         std::string text;
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwclass/light.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwclass/light.cpp
index 931ed73dfe..92ba8e1512 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwclass/light.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwclass/light.cpp
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #include "light.hpp"
 
 #include <MyGUI_TextIterator.h>
+#include <MyGUI_UString.h>
 
 #include <components/esm3/loadligh.hpp>
 #include <components/esm3/loadnpc.hpp>
@@ -21,7 +22,6 @@
 #include "../mwworld/ptr.hpp"
 
 #include "../mwgui/tooltips.hpp"
-#include "../mwgui/ustring.hpp"
 
 #include "../mwrender/objects.hpp"
 #include "../mwrender/renderinginterface.hpp"
@@ -159,8 +159,7 @@ namespace MWClass
 
         MWGui::ToolTipInfo info;
         std::string_view name = getName(ptr);
-        info.caption
-            = MyGUI::TextIterator::toTagsString(MWGui::toUString(name)) + MWGui::ToolTips::getCountString(count);
+        info.caption = MyGUI::TextIterator::toTagsString(MyGUI::UString(name)) + MWGui::ToolTips::getCountString(count);
         info.icon = ref->mBase->mIcon;
 
         std::string text;
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwclass/lockpick.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwclass/lockpick.cpp
index 1fc65c8f79..6c46f2e66f 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwclass/lockpick.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwclass/lockpick.cpp
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #include "lockpick.hpp"
 
 #include <MyGUI_TextIterator.h>
+#include <MyGUI_UString.h>
 
 #include <components/esm3/loadlock.hpp>
 #include <components/esm3/loadnpc.hpp>
@@ -15,7 +16,6 @@
 #include "../mwworld/ptr.hpp"
 
 #include "../mwgui/tooltips.hpp"
-#include "../mwgui/ustring.hpp"
 
 #include "../mwrender/objects.hpp"
 #include "../mwrender/renderinginterface.hpp"
@@ -104,8 +104,7 @@ namespace MWClass
 
         MWGui::ToolTipInfo info;
         std::string_view name = getName(ptr);
-        info.caption
-            = MyGUI::TextIterator::toTagsString(MWGui::toUString(name)) + MWGui::ToolTips::getCountString(count);
+        info.caption = MyGUI::TextIterator::toTagsString(MyGUI::UString(name)) + MWGui::ToolTips::getCountString(count);
         info.icon = ref->mBase->mIcon;
 
         std::string text;
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwclass/misc.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwclass/misc.cpp
index 6c517e3dde..ae78773fa1 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwclass/misc.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwclass/misc.cpp
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #include "misc.hpp"
 
 #include <MyGUI_TextIterator.h>
+#include <MyGUI_UString.h>
 
 #include <components/esm3/loadcrea.hpp>
 #include <components/esm3/loadmisc.hpp>
@@ -19,7 +20,6 @@
 #include "../mwworld/worldmodel.hpp"
 
 #include "../mwgui/tooltips.hpp"
-#include "../mwgui/ustring.hpp"
 
 #include "../mwrender/objects.hpp"
 #include "../mwrender/renderinginterface.hpp"
@@ -151,8 +151,8 @@ namespace MWClass
             countString = " (" + std::to_string(count) + ")";
 
         std::string_view name = getName(ptr);
-        info.caption = MyGUI::TextIterator::toTagsString(MWGui::toUString(name))
-            + MWGui::ToolTips::getCountString(count) + MWGui::ToolTips::getSoulString(ptr.getCellRef());
+        info.caption = MyGUI::TextIterator::toTagsString(MyGUI::UString(name)) + MWGui::ToolTips::getCountString(count)
+            + MWGui::ToolTips::getSoulString(ptr.getCellRef());
         info.icon = ref->mBase->mIcon;
 
         std::string text;
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwclass/npc.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwclass/npc.cpp
index dab6dc99ae..b9e8bc8dfb 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwclass/npc.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwclass/npc.cpp
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #include "npc.hpp"
 
 #include <MyGUI_TextIterator.h>
+#include <MyGUI_UString.h>
 
 #include <cassert>
 #include <memory>
@@ -57,7 +58,6 @@
 #include "../mwrender/renderinginterface.hpp"
 
 #include "../mwgui/tooltips.hpp"
-#include "../mwgui/ustring.hpp"
 
 namespace
 {
@@ -1089,7 +1089,7 @@ namespace MWClass
         MWGui::ToolTipInfo info;
 
         std::string_view name = getName(ptr);
-        info.caption = MyGUI::TextIterator::toTagsString(MWGui::toUString(name));
+        info.caption = MyGUI::TextIterator::toTagsString(MyGUI::UString(name));
         if (fullHelp && !ref->mBase->mName.empty() && ptr.getRefData().getCustomData()
             && ptr.getRefData().getCustomData()->asNpcCustomData().mNpcStats.isWerewolf())
         {
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwclass/potion.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwclass/potion.cpp
index 9bab0345cb..5811ec10db 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwclass/potion.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwclass/potion.cpp
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #include "potion.hpp"
 
 #include <MyGUI_TextIterator.h>
+#include <MyGUI_UString.h>
 
 #include "../mwbase/environment.hpp"
 #include "../mwbase/windowmanager.hpp"
@@ -13,7 +14,6 @@
 #include "../mwworld/ptr.hpp"
 
 #include "../mwgui/tooltips.hpp"
-#include "../mwgui/ustring.hpp"
 
 #include "../mwrender/objects.hpp"
 #include "../mwrender/renderinginterface.hpp"
@@ -95,8 +95,7 @@ namespace MWClass
 
         MWGui::ToolTipInfo info;
         std::string_view name = getName(ptr);
-        info.caption
-            = MyGUI::TextIterator::toTagsString(MWGui::toUString(name)) + MWGui::ToolTips::getCountString(count);
+        info.caption = MyGUI::TextIterator::toTagsString(MyGUI::UString(name)) + MWGui::ToolTips::getCountString(count);
         info.icon = ref->mBase->mIcon;
 
         std::string text;
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwclass/probe.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwclass/probe.cpp
index e020c89443..7a6c00824d 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwclass/probe.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwclass/probe.cpp
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #include "probe.hpp"
 
 #include <MyGUI_TextIterator.h>
+#include <MyGUI_UString.h>
 
 #include <components/esm3/loadnpc.hpp>
 #include <components/esm3/loadprob.hpp>
@@ -15,7 +16,6 @@
 #include "../mwworld/ptr.hpp"
 
 #include "../mwgui/tooltips.hpp"
-#include "../mwgui/ustring.hpp"
 
 #include "../mwrender/objects.hpp"
 #include "../mwrender/renderinginterface.hpp"
@@ -103,8 +103,7 @@ namespace MWClass
 
         MWGui::ToolTipInfo info;
         std::string_view name = getName(ptr);
-        info.caption
-            = MyGUI::TextIterator::toTagsString(MWGui::toUString(name)) + MWGui::ToolTips::getCountString(count);
+        info.caption = MyGUI::TextIterator::toTagsString(MyGUI::UString(name)) + MWGui::ToolTips::getCountString(count);
         info.icon = ref->mBase->mIcon;
 
         std::string text;
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwclass/repair.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwclass/repair.cpp
index 68fc2f60da..0d38271aab 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwclass/repair.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwclass/repair.cpp
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #include "repair.hpp"
 
 #include <MyGUI_TextIterator.h>
+#include <MyGUI_UString.h>
 
 #include <components/esm3/loadnpc.hpp>
 #include <components/esm3/loadrepa.hpp>
@@ -13,7 +14,6 @@
 #include "../mwworld/ptr.hpp"
 
 #include "../mwgui/tooltips.hpp"
-#include "../mwgui/ustring.hpp"
 
 #include "../mwrender/objects.hpp"
 #include "../mwrender/renderinginterface.hpp"
@@ -105,8 +105,7 @@ namespace MWClass
 
         MWGui::ToolTipInfo info;
         std::string_view name = getName(ptr);
-        info.caption
-            = MyGUI::TextIterator::toTagsString(MWGui::toUString(name)) + MWGui::ToolTips::getCountString(count);
+        info.caption = MyGUI::TextIterator::toTagsString(MyGUI::UString(name)) + MWGui::ToolTips::getCountString(count);
         info.icon = ref->mBase->mIcon;
 
         std::string text;
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwclass/weapon.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwclass/weapon.cpp
index 68a66b69d9..1cc2c86761 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwclass/weapon.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwclass/weapon.cpp
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #include "weapon.hpp"
 
 #include <MyGUI_TextIterator.h>
+#include <MyGUI_UString.h>
 
 #include <components/esm3/loadnpc.hpp>
 #include <components/esm3/loadweap.hpp>
@@ -20,7 +21,6 @@
 #include "../mwmechanics/weapontype.hpp"
 
 #include "../mwgui/tooltips.hpp"
-#include "../mwgui/ustring.hpp"
 
 #include "../mwrender/objects.hpp"
 #include "../mwrender/renderinginterface.hpp"
@@ -150,8 +150,7 @@ namespace MWClass
 
         MWGui::ToolTipInfo info;
         std::string_view name = getName(ptr);
-        info.caption
-            = MyGUI::TextIterator::toTagsString(MWGui::toUString(name)) + MWGui::ToolTips::getCountString(count);
+        info.caption = MyGUI::TextIterator::toTagsString(MyGUI::UString(name)) + MWGui::ToolTips::getCountString(count);
         info.icon = ref->mBase->mIcon;
 
         const MWWorld::ESMStore& store = *MWBase::Environment::get().getESMStore();
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/alchemywindow.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/alchemywindow.cpp
index 7208fce5f6..333722a149 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/alchemywindow.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/alchemywindow.cpp
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 #include <MyGUI_ControllerRepeatClick.h>
 #include <MyGUI_EditBox.h>
 #include <MyGUI_Gui.h>
+#include <MyGUI_UString.h>
 
 #include <components/esm3/loadappa.hpp>
 #include <components/esm3/loadingr.hpp>
@@ -28,7 +29,6 @@
 #include "itemview.hpp"
 #include "itemwidget.hpp"
 #include "sortfilteritemmodel.hpp"
-#include "ustring.hpp"
 #include "widgets.hpp"
 
 namespace MWGui
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ namespace MWGui
         auto const& wm = MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager();
         std::string_view ingredient = wm->getGameSettingString("sIngredients", "Ingredients");
 
-        if (mFilterType->getCaption() == toUString(ingredient))
+        if (mFilterType->getCaption() == ingredient)
             mCurrentFilter = FilterType::ByName;
         else
             mCurrentFilter = FilterType::ByEffect;
@@ -176,17 +176,17 @@ namespace MWGui
     void AlchemyWindow::switchFilterType(MyGUI::Widget* _sender)
     {
         auto const& wm = MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager();
-        MyGUI::UString ingredient = toUString(wm->getGameSettingString("sIngredients", "Ingredients"));
+        std::string_view ingredient = wm->getGameSettingString("sIngredients", "Ingredients");
         auto* button = _sender->castType<MyGUI::Button>();
 
         if (button->getCaption() == ingredient)
         {
-            button->setCaption(toUString(wm->getGameSettingString("sMagicEffects", "Magic Effects")));
+            button->setCaption(MyGUI::UString(wm->getGameSettingString("sMagicEffects", "Magic Effects")));
             mCurrentFilter = FilterType::ByEffect;
         }
         else
         {
-            button->setCaption(ingredient);
+            button->setCaption(MyGUI::UString(ingredient));
             mCurrentFilter = FilterType::ByName;
         }
         mSortModel->setNameFilter({});
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/birth.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/birth.cpp
index 617c373b0b..3dfdd17627 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/birth.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/birth.cpp
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 #include <MyGUI_ImageBox.h>
 #include <MyGUI_ListBox.h>
 #include <MyGUI_ScrollView.h>
+#include <MyGUI_UString.h>
 
 #include <components/esm3/loadbsgn.hpp>
 #include <components/esm3/loadspel.hpp>
@@ -18,7 +19,6 @@
 #include "../mwworld/esmstore.hpp"
 #include "../mwworld/player.hpp"
 
-#include "ustring.hpp"
 #include "widgets.hpp"
 
 namespace
@@ -56,7 +56,8 @@ namespace MWGui
 
         MyGUI::Button* okButton;
         getWidget(okButton, "OKButton");
-        okButton->setCaption(toUString(MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->getGameSettingString("sOK", {})));
+        okButton->setCaption(
+            MyGUI::UString(MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->getGameSettingString("sOK", {})));
         okButton->eventMouseButtonClick += MyGUI::newDelegate(this, &BirthDialog::onOkClicked);
 
         updateBirths();
@@ -70,10 +71,10 @@ namespace MWGui
 
         if (shown)
             okButton->setCaption(
-                toUString(MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->getGameSettingString("sNext", {})));
+                MyGUI::UString(MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->getGameSettingString("sNext", {})));
         else
             okButton->setCaption(
-                toUString(MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->getGameSettingString("sOK", {})));
+                MyGUI::UString(MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->getGameSettingString("sOK", {})));
     }
 
     void BirthDialog::onOpen()
@@ -235,7 +236,7 @@ namespace MWGui
             {
                 MyGUI::TextBox* label
                     = mSpellArea->createWidget<MyGUI::TextBox>("SandBrightText", coord, MyGUI::Align::Default, "Label");
-                label->setCaption(toUString(MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->getGameSettingString(
+                label->setCaption(MyGUI::UString(MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->getGameSettingString(
                     categories[category].label, {})));
                 mSpellItems.push_back(label);
                 coord.top += lineHeight;
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/class.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/class.cpp
index f71da8bdf5..d6b4e7f635 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/class.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/class.cpp
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 #include <MyGUI_ImageBox.h>
 #include <MyGUI_ListBox.h>
 #include <MyGUI_ScrollView.h>
+#include <MyGUI_UString.h>
 
 #include "../mwbase/environment.hpp"
 #include "../mwbase/windowmanager.hpp"
@@ -20,7 +21,6 @@
 #include <components/vfs/manager.hpp>
 
 #include "tooltips.hpp"
-#include "ustring.hpp"
 
 namespace
 {
@@ -129,10 +129,10 @@ namespace MWGui
 
         if (shown)
             okButton->setCaption(
-                toUString(MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->getGameSettingString("sNext", {})));
+                MyGUI::UString(MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->getGameSettingString("sNext", {})));
         else
             okButton->setCaption(
-                toUString(MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->getGameSettingString("sOK", {})));
+                MyGUI::UString(MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->getGameSettingString("sOK", {})));
     }
 
     void PickClassDialog::onOpen()
@@ -546,10 +546,10 @@ namespace MWGui
 
         if (shown)
             okButton->setCaption(
-                toUString(MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->getGameSettingString("sNext", {})));
+                MyGUI::UString(MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->getGameSettingString("sNext", {})));
         else
             okButton->setCaption(
-                toUString(MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->getGameSettingString("sOK", {})));
+                MyGUI::UString(MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->getGameSettingString("sOK", {})));
     }
 
     // widget controls
@@ -869,7 +869,7 @@ namespace MWGui
         getWidget(okButton, "OKButton");
         okButton->eventMouseButtonClick += MyGUI::newDelegate(this, &DescriptionDialog::onOkClicked);
         okButton->setCaption(
-            toUString(MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->getGameSettingString("sInputMenu1", {})));
+            MyGUI::UString(MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->getGameSettingString("sInputMenu1", {})));
 
         // Make sure the edit box has focus
         MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->setKeyFocusWidget(mTextEdit);
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/dialogue.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/dialogue.cpp
index 4ab77c3956..79673463ef 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/dialogue.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/dialogue.cpp
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 #include <MyGUI_LanguageManager.h>
 #include <MyGUI_ProgressBar.h>
 #include <MyGUI_ScrollBar.h>
+#include <MyGUI_UString.h>
 #include <MyGUI_Window.h>
 
 #include <components/debug/debuglog.hpp>
@@ -337,7 +338,7 @@ namespace MWGui
     void DialogueWindow::onTradeComplete()
     {
         MyGUI::UString message = MyGUI::LanguageManager::getInstance().replaceTags("#{sBarterDialog5}");
-        addResponse({}, message.asUTF8());
+        addResponse({}, message);
     }
 
     bool DialogueWindow::exit()
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/enchantingdialog.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/enchantingdialog.cpp
index e70599697a..f5bcb1fb5f 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/enchantingdialog.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/enchantingdialog.cpp
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 #include <MyGUI_Button.h>
 #include <MyGUI_EditBox.h>
 #include <MyGUI_ScrollView.h>
+#include <MyGUI_UString.h>
 
 #include <components/misc/strings/format.hpp>
 #include <components/settings/values.hpp>
@@ -26,7 +27,6 @@
 #include "itemwidget.hpp"
 
 #include "sortfilteritemmodel.hpp"
-#include "ustring.hpp"
 
 namespace MWGui
 {
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ namespace MWGui
         else
         {
             std::string_view name = item.getClass().getName(item);
-            mName->setCaption(toUString(name));
+            mName->setCaption(MyGUI::UString(name));
             mItemBox->setItem(item);
             mItemBox->setUserString("ToolTipType", "ItemPtr");
             mItemBox->setUserData(MWWorld::Ptr(item));
@@ -115,23 +115,26 @@ namespace MWGui
         switch (mEnchanting.getCastStyle())
         {
             case ESM::Enchantment::CastOnce:
-                mTypeButton->setCaption(toUString(
+                mTypeButton->setCaption(MyGUI::UString(
                     MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->getGameSettingString("sItemCastOnce", "Cast Once")));
                 setConstantEffect(false);
                 break;
             case ESM::Enchantment::WhenStrikes:
-                mTypeButton->setCaption(toUString(MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->getGameSettingString(
-                    "sItemCastWhenStrikes", "When Strikes")));
+                mTypeButton->setCaption(
+                    MyGUI::UString(MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->getGameSettingString(
+                        "sItemCastWhenStrikes", "When Strikes")));
                 setConstantEffect(false);
                 break;
             case ESM::Enchantment::WhenUsed:
-                mTypeButton->setCaption(toUString(MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->getGameSettingString(
-                    "sItemCastWhenUsed", "When Used")));
+                mTypeButton->setCaption(
+                    MyGUI::UString(MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->getGameSettingString(
+                        "sItemCastWhenUsed", "When Used")));
                 setConstantEffect(false);
                 break;
             case ESM::Enchantment::ConstantEffect:
-                mTypeButton->setCaption(toUString(MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->getGameSettingString(
-                    "sItemCastConstant", "Cast Constant")));
+                mTypeButton->setCaption(
+                    MyGUI::UString(MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->getGameSettingString(
+                        "sItemCastConstant", "Cast Constant")));
                 setConstantEffect(true);
                 break;
         }
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/itemchargeview.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/itemchargeview.cpp
index ba74eadc7a..02c3cc182c 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/itemchargeview.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/itemchargeview.cpp
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 #include <MyGUI_Gui.h>
 #include <MyGUI_ScrollView.h>
 #include <MyGUI_TextBox.h>
+#include <MyGUI_UString.h>
 
 #include <components/esm3/loadench.hpp>
 
@@ -18,7 +19,6 @@
 
 #include "itemmodel.hpp"
 #include "itemwidget.hpp"
-#include "ustring.hpp"
 
 namespace MWGui
 {
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ namespace MWGui
 
         std::stable_sort(mLines.begin(), mLines.end(),
             [](const MWGui::ItemChargeView::Line& a, const MWGui::ItemChargeView::Line& b) {
-                return Misc::StringUtils::ciLess(a.mText->getCaption().asUTF8(), b.mText->getCaption().asUTF8());
+                return Misc::StringUtils::ciLess(a.mText->getCaption(), b.mText->getCaption());
             });
 
         layoutWidgets();
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ namespace MWGui
     void ItemChargeView::updateLine(const ItemChargeView::Line& line)
     {
         std::string_view name = line.mItemPtr.getClass().getName(line.mItemPtr);
-        line.mText->setCaption(toUString(name));
+        line.mText->setCaption(MyGUI::UString(name));
 
         line.mCharge->setVisible(false);
         switch (mDisplayMode)
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/layout.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/layout.cpp
index fb0fb5e1c5..8d70bc956b 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/layout.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/layout.cpp
@@ -3,11 +3,10 @@
 #include <MyGUI_Gui.h>
 #include <MyGUI_LayoutManager.h>
 #include <MyGUI_TextBox.h>
+#include <MyGUI_UString.h>
 #include <MyGUI_Widget.h>
 #include <MyGUI_Window.h>
 
-#include "ustring.hpp"
-
 namespace MWGui
 {
     void Layout::initialise(std::string_view _layout)
@@ -52,16 +51,15 @@ namespace MWGui
     {
         MyGUI::Widget* pt;
         getWidget(pt, name);
-        static_cast<MyGUI::TextBox*>(pt)->setCaption(toUString(caption));
+        static_cast<MyGUI::TextBox*>(pt)->setCaption(MyGUI::UString(caption));
     }
 
     void Layout::setTitle(std::string_view title)
     {
         MyGUI::Window* window = static_cast<MyGUI::Window*>(mMainWidget);
-        MyGUI::UString uTitle = toUString(title);
 
-        if (window->getCaption() != uTitle)
-            window->setCaptionWithReplacing(uTitle);
+        if (window->getCaption() != title)
+            window->setCaptionWithReplacing(MyGUI::UString(title));
     }
 
     MyGUI::Widget* Layout::getWidget(std::string_view _name)
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/levelupdialog.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/levelupdialog.cpp
index 41b2dadeb9..2160a04b1b 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/levelupdialog.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/levelupdialog.cpp
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 #include <MyGUI_ImageBox.h>
 #include <MyGUI_ScrollView.h>
 #include <MyGUI_TextBox.h>
+#include <MyGUI_UString.h>
 
 #include <components/fallback/fallback.hpp>
 #include <components/widgets/box.hpp>
@@ -22,7 +23,6 @@
 #include "../mwmechanics/npcstats.hpp"
 
 #include "class.hpp"
-#include "ustring.hpp"
 
 namespace
 {
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ namespace MWGui
         if (levelupdescription.empty())
             levelupdescription = Fallback::Map::getString("Level_Up_Default");
 
-        mLevelDescription->setCaption(toUString(levelupdescription));
+        mLevelDescription->setCaption(MyGUI::UString(levelupdescription));
 
         unsigned int availableAttributes = 0;
         for (const ESM::Attribute& attribute : MWBase::Environment::get().getESMStore()->get<ESM::Attribute>())
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/loadingscreen.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/loadingscreen.cpp
index fd7afa2d8a..1723841b32 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/loadingscreen.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/loadingscreen.cpp
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 #include <MyGUI_Gui.h>
 #include <MyGUI_ScrollBar.h>
 #include <MyGUI_TextBox.h>
+#include <MyGUI_UString.h>
 
 #include <components/debug/debuglog.hpp>
 #include <components/misc/pathhelpers.hpp>
@@ -191,7 +192,7 @@ namespace MWGui
             // we may still want to show the label if the caller requested it
             if (mImportantLabel)
             {
-                MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->messageBox(mLoadingText->getCaption().asUTF8());
+                MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->messageBox(mLoadingText->getCaption());
                 mImportantLabel = false;
             }
         }
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/messagebox.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/messagebox.cpp
index b22fb873fa..b27adacd0f 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/messagebox.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/messagebox.cpp
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 #include <MyGUI_EditBox.h>
 #include <MyGUI_LanguageManager.h>
 #include <MyGUI_RenderManager.h>
+#include <MyGUI_UString.h>
 
 #include <components/debug/debuglog.hpp>
 #include <components/misc/strings/algorithm.hpp>
@@ -379,17 +380,17 @@ namespace MWGui
 
     MyGUI::Widget* InteractiveMessageBox::getDefaultKeyFocus()
     {
-        std::vector<std::string> keywords{ "sOk", "sYes" };
         if (mDefaultFocus >= 0 && mDefaultFocus < static_cast<int>(mButtons.size()))
             return mButtons[mDefaultFocus];
+        auto& languageManager = MyGUI::LanguageManager::getInstance();
+        std::vector<MyGUI::UString> keywords{ languageManager.replaceTags("#{sOk}"),
+            languageManager.replaceTags("#{sYes}") };
 
         for (MyGUI::Button* button : mButtons)
         {
-            for (const std::string& keyword : keywords)
+            for (const MyGUI::UString& keyword : keywords)
             {
-                if (Misc::StringUtils::ciEqual(
-                        MyGUI::LanguageManager::getInstance().replaceTags("#{" + keyword + "}").asUTF8(),
-                        button->getCaption().asUTF8()))
+                if (Misc::StringUtils::ciEqual(keyword, button->getCaption()))
                 {
                     return button;
                 }
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/race.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/race.cpp
index da5c0c9ca8..7b445d419f 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/race.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/race.cpp
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 #include <MyGUI_ImageBox.h>
 #include <MyGUI_ListBox.h>
 #include <MyGUI_ScrollBar.h>
+#include <MyGUI_UString.h>
 
 #include <osg/Texture2D>
 
@@ -19,7 +20,6 @@
 #include "../mwworld/esmstore.hpp"
 
 #include "tooltips.hpp"
-#include "ustring.hpp"
 
 namespace
 {
@@ -114,7 +114,8 @@ namespace MWGui
 
         MyGUI::Button* okButton;
         getWidget(okButton, "OKButton");
-        okButton->setCaption(toUString(MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->getGameSettingString("sOK", {})));
+        okButton->setCaption(
+            MyGUI::UString(MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->getGameSettingString("sOK", {})));
         okButton->eventMouseButtonClick += MyGUI::newDelegate(this, &RaceDialog::onOkClicked);
 
         updateRaces();
@@ -129,10 +130,10 @@ namespace MWGui
 
         if (shown)
             okButton->setCaption(
-                toUString(MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->getGameSettingString("sNext", {})));
+                MyGUI::UString(MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->getGameSettingString("sNext", {})));
         else
             okButton->setCaption(
-                toUString(MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->getGameSettingString("sOK", {})));
+                MyGUI::UString(MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->getGameSettingString("sOK", {})));
     }
 
     void RaceDialog::onOpen()
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/review.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/review.cpp
index 04c3806c0e..4ea21df00c 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/review.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/review.cpp
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 #include <MyGUI_Gui.h>
 #include <MyGUI_ImageBox.h>
 #include <MyGUI_ScrollView.h>
+#include <MyGUI_UString.h>
 
 #include <components/esm3/loadbsgn.hpp>
 #include <components/esm3/loadrace.hpp>
@@ -19,7 +20,6 @@
 #include "../mwworld/esmstore.hpp"
 
 #include "tooltips.hpp"
-#include "ustring.hpp"
 
 namespace
 {
@@ -272,7 +272,7 @@ namespace MWGui
         MyGUI::TextBox* groupWidget = mSkillView->createWidget<MyGUI::TextBox>("SandBrightText",
             MyGUI::IntCoord(0, coord1.top, coord1.width + coord2.width, coord1.height), MyGUI::Align::Default);
         groupWidget->eventMouseWheel += MyGUI::newDelegate(this, &ReviewDialog::onMouseWheel);
-        groupWidget->setCaption(toUString(label));
+        groupWidget->setCaption(MyGUI::UString(label));
         mSkillWidgets.push_back(groupWidget);
 
         const int lineHeight = Settings::gui().mFontSize + 2;
@@ -287,7 +287,7 @@ namespace MWGui
         MyGUI::TextBox* skillValueWidget;
 
         skillNameWidget = mSkillView->createWidget<MyGUI::TextBox>("SandText", coord1, MyGUI::Align::Default);
-        skillNameWidget->setCaption(toUString(text));
+        skillNameWidget->setCaption(MyGUI::UString(text));
         skillNameWidget->eventMouseWheel += MyGUI::newDelegate(this, &ReviewDialog::onMouseWheel);
 
         skillValueWidget = mSkillView->createWidget<MyGUI::TextBox>("SandTextRight", coord2, MyGUI::Align::Default);
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/savegamedialog.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/savegamedialog.cpp
index 4f78c27f05..8330c23f2f 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/savegamedialog.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/savegamedialog.cpp
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 #include <MyGUI_ImageBox.h>
 #include <MyGUI_InputManager.h>
 #include <MyGUI_LanguageManager.h>
+#include <MyGUI_UString.h>
 
 #include <osg/Texture2D>
 #include <osgDB/ReadFile>
@@ -35,7 +36,6 @@
 #include "../mwstate/character.hpp"
 
 #include "confirmationdialog.hpp"
-#include "ustring.hpp"
 
 namespace MWGui
 {
@@ -198,7 +198,7 @@ namespace MWGui
                 }
 
                 title << " (#{sLevel} " << signature.mPlayerLevel << " "
-                      << MyGUI::TextIterator::toTagsString(toUString(className)) << ")";
+                      << MyGUI::TextIterator::toTagsString(MyGUI::UString(className)) << ")";
 
                 mCharacterSelection->addItem(MyGUI::LanguageManager::getInstance().replaceTags(title.str()));
 
@@ -302,7 +302,7 @@ namespace MWGui
 
         if (mSaving)
         {
-            MWBase::Environment::get().getStateManager()->saveGame(mSaveNameEdit->getCaption().asUTF8(), mCurrentSlot);
+            MWBase::Environment::get().getStateManager()->saveGame(mSaveNameEdit->getCaption(), mCurrentSlot);
         }
         else
         {
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/settingswindow.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/settingswindow.cpp
index 7cefa7bda8..696596a46f 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/settingswindow.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/settingswindow.cpp
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
 #include <MyGUI_ScrollBar.h>
 #include <MyGUI_ScrollView.h>
 #include <MyGUI_TabControl.h>
+#include <MyGUI_UString.h>
 #include <MyGUI_Window.h>
 
 #include <SDL_video.h>
@@ -38,7 +39,6 @@
 #include "../mwbase/world.hpp"
 
 #include "confirmationdialog.hpp"
-#include "ustring.hpp"
 
 namespace
 {
@@ -659,18 +659,17 @@ namespace MWGui
 
     void SettingsWindow::onButtonToggled(MyGUI::Widget* _sender)
     {
-        MyGUI::UString on = toUString(MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->getGameSettingString("sOn", "On"));
+        std::string_view on = MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->getGameSettingString("sOn", "On");
         bool newState;
         if (_sender->castType<MyGUI::Button>()->getCaption() == on)
         {
-            MyGUI::UString off
-                = toUString(MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->getGameSettingString("sOff", "Off"));
-            _sender->castType<MyGUI::Button>()->setCaption(off);
+            _sender->castType<MyGUI::Button>()->setCaption(
+                MyGUI::UString(MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->getGameSettingString("sOff", "Off")));
             newState = false;
         }
         else
         {
-            _sender->castType<MyGUI::Button>()->setCaption(on);
+            _sender->castType<MyGUI::Button>()->setCaption(MyGUI::UString(on));
             newState = true;
         }
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/statswindow.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/statswindow.cpp
index cb16ab6d15..6e7d2c2ba2 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/statswindow.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/statswindow.cpp
@@ -32,7 +32,6 @@
 #include "../mwmechanics/npcstats.hpp"
 
 #include "tooltips.hpp"
-#include "ustring.hpp"
 
 namespace MWGui
 {
@@ -417,7 +416,7 @@ namespace MWGui
         MyGUI::TextBox* groupWidget = mSkillView->createWidget<MyGUI::TextBox>("SandBrightText",
             MyGUI::IntCoord(0, coord1.top, coord1.width + coord2.width, coord1.height),
             MyGUI::Align::Left | MyGUI::Align::Top | MyGUI::Align::HStretch);
-        groupWidget->setCaption(toUString(label));
+        groupWidget->setCaption(MyGUI::UString(label));
         groupWidget->eventMouseWheel += MyGUI::newDelegate(this, &StatsWindow::onMouseWheel);
         mSkillWidgets.push_back(groupWidget);
 
@@ -433,7 +432,7 @@ namespace MWGui
 
         skillNameWidget = mSkillView->createWidget<MyGUI::TextBox>(
             "SandText", coord1, MyGUI::Align::Left | MyGUI::Align::Top | MyGUI::Align::HStretch);
-        skillNameWidget->setCaption(toUString(text));
+        skillNameWidget->setCaption(MyGUI::UString(text));
         skillNameWidget->eventMouseWheel += MyGUI::newDelegate(this, &StatsWindow::onMouseWheel);
 
         skillValueWidget = mSkillView->createWidget<MyGUI::TextBox>(
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/textinput.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/textinput.cpp
index 18a56e7284..5f47b96f03 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/textinput.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/textinput.cpp
@@ -5,8 +5,7 @@
 
 #include <MyGUI_Button.h>
 #include <MyGUI_EditBox.h>
-
-#include "ustring.hpp"
+#include <MyGUI_UString.h>
 
 namespace MWGui
 {
@@ -35,10 +34,10 @@ namespace MWGui
 
         if (shown)
             okButton->setCaption(
-                toUString(MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->getGameSettingString("sNext", {})));
+                MyGUI::UString(MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->getGameSettingString("sNext", {})));
         else
             okButton->setCaption(
-                toUString(MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->getGameSettingString("sOK", {})));
+                MyGUI::UString(MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->getGameSettingString("sOK", {})));
     }
 
     void TextInputDialog::setTextLabel(std::string_view label)
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/tooltips.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/tooltips.cpp
index 323579317a..bdcc4e76d7 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/tooltips.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/tooltips.cpp
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 #include <MyGUI_InputManager.h>
 #include <MyGUI_RenderManager.h>
 #include <MyGUI_TextIterator.h>
+#include <MyGUI_UString.h>
 
 #include <components/esm/records.hpp>
 #include <components/l10n/manager.hpp>
@@ -953,8 +954,7 @@ namespace MWGui
         widget->setUserString("Caption_MagicEffectSchool",
             "#{sSchool}: "
                 + MyGUI::TextIterator::toTagsString(
-                    store->get<ESM::Skill>().find(effect->mData.mSchool)->mSchool->mName)
-                      .asUTF8());
+                    store->get<ESM::Skill>().find(effect->mData.mSchool)->mSchool->mName));
         widget->setUserString("ImageTexture_MagicEffectImage", icon);
     }
 }
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/ustring.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/ustring.hpp
deleted file mode 100644
index 5a6c30312a..0000000000
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/ustring.hpp
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,15 +0,0 @@
-#ifndef MWGUI_USTRING_H
-#define MWGUI_USTRING_H
-
-#include <MyGUI_UString.h>
-
-namespace MWGui
-{
-    // FIXME: Remove once we get a version of MyGUI that supports string_view
-    inline MyGUI::UString toUString(std::string_view string)
-    {
-        return { string.data(), string.size() };
-    }
-}
-
-#endif
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/widgets.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/widgets.cpp
index 31e2689485..d824682308 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/widgets.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/widgets.cpp
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 #include <MyGUI_ControllerManager.h>
 #include <MyGUI_ImageBox.h>
 #include <MyGUI_ProgressBar.h>
+#include <MyGUI_UString.h>
 
 #include <components/esm/attr.hpp>
 #include <components/esm3/loadmgef.hpp>
@@ -20,8 +21,6 @@
 
 #include "../mwworld/esmstore.hpp"
 
-#include "ustring.hpp"
-
 namespace MWGui::Widgets
 {
     /* MWSkill */
@@ -135,8 +134,7 @@ namespace MWGui::Widgets
             }
             else
             {
-                MyGUI::UString name = toUString(attribute->mName);
-                mAttributeNameWidget->setCaption(name);
+                mAttributeNameWidget->setCaption(MyGUI::UString(attribute->mName));
             }
         }
         if (mAttributeValueWidget)
@@ -497,13 +495,13 @@ namespace MWGui::Widgets
         {
             std::stringstream out;
             out << mValue << "/" << mMax;
-            mBarTextWidget->setCaption(out.str().c_str());
+            mBarTextWidget->setCaption(out.str());
         }
     }
     void MWDynamicStat::setTitle(std::string_view text)
     {
         if (mTextWidget)
-            mTextWidget->setCaption(toUString(text));
+            mTextWidget->setCaption(MyGUI::UString(text));
     }
 
     MWDynamicStat::~MWDynamicStat() {}
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/windowmanagerimp.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/windowmanagerimp.cpp
index 7b3d35e011..3bd779a186 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/windowmanagerimp.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/windowmanagerimp.cpp
@@ -117,7 +117,6 @@
 #include "tradewindow.hpp"
 #include "trainingwindow.hpp"
 #include "travelwindow.hpp"
-#include "ustring.hpp"
 #include "videowidget.hpp"
 #include "waitdialog.hpp"
 
@@ -788,8 +787,8 @@ namespace MWGui
     {
         if (getMode() == GM_Dialogue && showInDialogueMode != MWGui::ShowInDialogueMode_Never)
         {
-            MyGUI::UString text = MyGUI::LanguageManager::getInstance().replaceTags(toUString(message));
-            mDialogueWindow->addMessageBox(text.asUTF8());
+            MyGUI::UString text = MyGUI::LanguageManager::getInstance().replaceTags(MyGUI::UString(message));
+            mDialogueWindow->addMessageBox(text);
         }
         else if (showInDialogueMode != MWGui::ShowInDialogueMode_Only)
         {
@@ -1089,7 +1088,7 @@ namespace MWGui
 
     void WindowManager::onRetrieveTag(const MyGUI::UString& _tag, MyGUI::UString& _result)
     {
-        std::string_view tag = _tag.asUTF8();
+        std::string_view tag = _tag;
 
         std::string_view MyGuiPrefix = "setting=";