diff --git a/source/common/audio/music/i_music.cpp b/source/common/audio/music/i_music.cpp
index b3f0a3d0d..9f6165102 100644
--- a/source/common/audio/music/i_music.cpp
+++ b/source/common/audio/music/i_music.cpp
@@ -312,8 +312,8 @@ static ZMusic_MidiSource GetMIDISource(const char *fn)
 	FString src = fn;
 	if (src.Compare("*") == 0) src = mus_playing.name;
 
-	auto lump = fileSystem.CheckNumForName(src, ns_music);
-	if (lump < 0) lump = fileSystem.CheckNumForFullName(src);
+	auto lump = fileSystem.CheckNumForName(src.GetChars(), ns_music);
+	if (lump < 0) lump = fileSystem.CheckNumForFullName(src.GetChars());
 	if (lump < 0)
 	{
 		Printf("Cannot find MIDI lump %s.\n", src.GetChars());
@@ -391,7 +391,7 @@ UNSAFE_CCMD (writewave)
 			Printf("MIDI dump of %s failed: %s\n",argv[1], ZMusic_GetLastError());
 		}
 
-		S_ChangeMusic(savedsong.name, savedsong.baseorder, savedsong.loop, true);
+		S_ChangeMusic(savedsong.name.GetChars(), savedsong.baseorder, savedsong.loop, true);
 	}
 	else
 	{
diff --git a/source/common/audio/music/i_soundfont.cpp b/source/common/audio/music/i_soundfont.cpp
index dd610e0b4..e1059fc12 100644
--- a/source/common/audio/music/i_soundfont.cpp
+++ b/source/common/audio/music/i_soundfont.cpp
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ std::pair<FileReader, FString> FSoundFontReader::LookupFile(const char *name)
 		for(int i = mPaths.Size()-1; i>=0; i--)
 		{
 			FString fullname = mPaths[i] + name;
-			auto fr = OpenFile(fullname);
+			auto fr = OpenFile(fullname.GetChars());
 			if (fr.isOpen()) return std::make_pair(std::move(fr), fullname);
 		}
 	}
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ void FSoundFontReader::AddPath(const char *strp)
 	if (str.Back() != '/') str += '/';	// always let it end with a slash.
 	for (auto &s : mPaths)
 	{
-		if (pathcmp(s.GetChars(), str) == 0)
+		if (pathcmp(s.GetChars(), str.GetChars()) == 0)
 		{
 			// move string to the back.
 			mPaths.Delete(i);
@@ -122,13 +122,13 @@ FileReader FSoundFontReader::Open(const char *name, std::string& filename)
 	if (name == nullptr)
 	{
 		fr = OpenMainConfigFile();
-		filename = MainConfigFileName();
+		filename = MainConfigFileName().GetChars();
 	}
 	else
 	{
 		auto res = LookupFile(name);
 		fr = std::move(res.first);
-		filename = res.second;
+		filename = res.second.GetChars();
 	}
 	return fr;
 }
@@ -244,7 +244,7 @@ FPatchSetReader::FPatchSetReader(const char *filename)
 	const char *paths[] = {
 		"C:/TIMIDITY",
 		"/TIMIDITY",
-		progdir
+		progdir.GetChars()
 	};
 #endif
 	mAllowAbsolutePaths = true;
@@ -258,7 +258,7 @@ FPatchSetReader::FPatchSetReader(const char *filename)
 		for(auto c : paths)
 		{
 			FStringf fullname("%s/%s", c, filename);
-			if (fr.OpenFile(fullname))
+			if (fr.OpenFile(fullname.GetChars()))
 			{
 				mFullPathToConfig = fullname;
 			}
@@ -267,7 +267,7 @@ FPatchSetReader::FPatchSetReader(const char *filename)
 	if (mFullPathToConfig.Len() > 0)
 	{
 		FixPathSeperator(mFullPathToConfig);
-		mBasePath = ExtractFilePath(mFullPathToConfig);
+		mBasePath = ExtractFilePath(mFullPathToConfig.GetChars());
 		if (mBasePath.Len() > 0 && mBasePath.Back() != '/') mBasePath += '/';
 	}
 }
@@ -276,7 +276,7 @@ FPatchSetReader::FPatchSetReader(const char *filename)
 FileReader FPatchSetReader::OpenMainConfigFile()
 {
 	FileReader fr;
-	fr.OpenFile(mFullPathToConfig);
+	fr.OpenFile(mFullPathToConfig.GetChars());
 	return fr;
 }
 
@@ -286,7 +286,7 @@ FileReader FPatchSetReader::OpenFile(const char *name)
 	if (IsAbsPath(name)) path = name;
 	else path = mBasePath + name;
 	FileReader fr;
-	fr.OpenFile(path);
+	fr.OpenFile(path.GetChars());
 	return fr;
 }
 
@@ -302,7 +302,7 @@ FLumpPatchSetReader::FLumpPatchSetReader(const char *filename)
 
 	mBasePath = filename;
 	FixPathSeperator(mBasePath);
-	mBasePath = ExtractFilePath(mBasePath);
+	mBasePath = ExtractFilePath(mBasePath.GetChars());
 	if (mBasePath.Len() > 0 && mBasePath.Back() != '/') mBasePath += '/';
 }
 
@@ -523,8 +523,8 @@ FSoundFontReader *FSoundFontManager::OpenSoundFont(const char *name, int allowed
 	auto sfi = FindSoundFont(name, allowed);
 	if (sfi != nullptr)
 	{
-		if (sfi->type == SF_SF2) return new FSF2Reader(sfi->mFilename);
-		else return new FZipPatReader(sfi->mFilename);
+		if (sfi->type == SF_SF2) return new FSF2Reader(sfi->mFilename.GetChars());
+		else return new FZipPatReader(sfi->mFilename.GetChars());
 	}
 	return nullptr;
 
diff --git a/source/common/audio/music/music.cpp b/source/common/audio/music/music.cpp
index adffe332f..51797220e 100644
--- a/source/common/audio/music/music.cpp
+++ b/source/common/audio/music/music.cpp
@@ -463,7 +463,7 @@ static void SaveGains()
 {
 	auto path = M_GetAppDataPath(true);
 	path << "/replaygain.ini";
-	FConfigFile gains(path);
+	FConfigFile gains(path.GetChars());
 	TMap<FString, float>::Iterator it(gainMap);
 	TMap<FString, float>::Pair* pair;
 
@@ -471,7 +471,7 @@ static void SaveGains()
 	{
 		while (it.NextPair(pair))
 		{
-			gains.SetValueForKey(pair->Key, std::to_string(pair->Value).c_str());
+			gains.SetValueForKey(pair->Key.GetChars(), std::to_string(pair->Value).c_str());
 		}
 	}
 	gains.WriteConfigFile();
@@ -484,7 +484,7 @@ static void ReadGains()
 	done = true;
 	auto path = M_GetAppDataPath(true);
 	path << "/replaygain.ini";
-	FConfigFile gains(path);
+	FConfigFile gains(path.GetChars());
 	if (gains.SetSection("Gains"))
 	{
 		const char* key;
@@ -669,7 +669,7 @@ bool S_ChangeMusic(const char* musicname, int order, bool looping, bool force)
 
 	if (!mus_playing.name.IsEmpty() &&
 		mus_playing.handle != nullptr &&
-		stricmp(mus_playing.name, musicname) == 0 &&
+		mus_playing.name.CompareNoCase(musicname) == 0 &&
 		ZMusic_IsLooping(mus_playing.handle) == zmusic_bool(looping))
 	{
 		if (order != mus_playing.baseorder)
@@ -768,7 +768,7 @@ void S_RestartMusic ()
 	{
 		FString song = mus_playing.LastSong;
 		mus_playing.LastSong = "";
-		S_ChangeMusic (song, mus_playing.baseorder, mus_playing.loop, true);
+		S_ChangeMusic (song.GetChars(), mus_playing.baseorder, mus_playing.loop, true);
 	}
 	else
 	{
@@ -791,7 +791,7 @@ void S_MIDIDeviceChanged(int newdev)
 		// Reload the song to change the device
 		auto mi = mus_playing;
 		S_StopMusic(true);
-		S_ChangeMusic(mi.name, mi.baseorder, mi.loop);
+		S_ChangeMusic(mi.name.GetChars(), mi.baseorder, mi.loop);
 	}
 }
 
@@ -807,7 +807,7 @@ int S_GetMusic (const char **name)
 
 	if (mus_playing.name.IsNotEmpty())
 	{
-		*name = mus_playing.name;
+		*name = mus_playing.name.GetChars();
 		order = mus_playing.baseorder;
 	}
 	else
diff --git a/source/common/audio/sound/i_sound.cpp b/source/common/audio/sound/i_sound.cpp
index 5f9fdda18..dda757e8d 100644
--- a/source/common/audio/sound/i_sound.cpp
+++ b/source/common/audio/sound/i_sound.cpp
@@ -248,7 +248,7 @@ public:
 
 void I_InitSound ()
 {
-	FModule_SetProgDir(progdir);
+	FModule_SetProgDir(progdir.GetChars());
 	/* Get command line options: */
 	nosound = !!Args->CheckParm ("-nosound");
 	nosfx = !!Args->CheckParm ("-nosfx");
diff --git a/source/common/audio/sound/oalsound.cpp b/source/common/audio/sound/oalsound.cpp
index 6f6e4e3ee..96809e7be 100644
--- a/source/common/audio/sound/oalsound.cpp
+++ b/source/common/audio/sound/oalsound.cpp
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ CVAR (String, snd_alresampler, "Default", CVAR_ARCHIVE|CVAR_GLOBALCONFIG)
 #define OPENALLIB1 "libopenal.1.dylib"
 #define OPENALLIB2 "OpenAL.framework/OpenAL"
 #else // !__APPLE__
-#define OPENALLIB1 NicePath("$PROGDIR/" OPENALLIB)
+#define OPENALLIB1 NicePath("$PROGDIR/" OPENALLIB).GetChars()
 #define OPENALLIB2 OPENALLIB
 #endif
 
diff --git a/source/common/audio/sound/s_reverbedit.cpp b/source/common/audio/sound/s_reverbedit.cpp
index a8ce5ac0d..4c01da23a 100644
--- a/source/common/audio/sound/s_reverbedit.cpp
+++ b/source/common/audio/sound/s_reverbedit.cpp
@@ -227,7 +227,7 @@ void ExportEnvironments(const char *filename, uint32_t count, const ReverbContai
 {
 	FString dest = M_GetDocumentsPath() + filename;
 
-	FileWriter *f = FileWriter::Open(dest);
+	FileWriter *f = FileWriter::Open(dest.GetChars());
 
 	if (f != nullptr)
 	{
@@ -509,13 +509,13 @@ CCMD(createenvironment)
 {
 	if (S_FindEnvironment(reverbedit_name))
 	{
-		M_StartMessage(FStringf("An environment with the name '%s' already exists", *reverbedit_name), 1);
+		M_StartMessage(FStringf("An environment with the name '%s' already exists", *reverbedit_name).GetChars(), 1);
 		return;
 	}
 	int id = (reverbedit_id1 << 8) + reverbedit_id2;
 	if (S_FindEnvironment(id))
 	{
-		M_StartMessage(FStringf("An environment with the ID (%d, %d) already exists", *reverbedit_id1, *reverbedit_id2), 1);
+		M_StartMessage(FStringf("An environment with the ID (%d, %d) already exists", *reverbedit_id1, *reverbedit_id2).GetChars(), 1);
 		return;
 	}
 
diff --git a/source/common/cutscenes/movieplayer.cpp b/source/common/cutscenes/movieplayer.cpp
index ac915bfb0..917c11cbc 100644
--- a/source/common/cutscenes/movieplayer.cpp
+++ b/source/common/cutscenes/movieplayer.cpp
@@ -837,7 +837,7 @@ MoviePlayer* OpenMovie(const char* filename, TArray<int>& ans, const int* framet
 	{
 		auto fn = StripExtension(filename);
 		DefaultExtension(fn, ".ivf");
-		fr = fileSystem.OpenFileReader(fn);
+		fr = fileSystem.OpenFileReader(fn.GetChars());
 	}
 
 	if (!fr.isOpen()) fr = fileSystem.OpenFileReader(filename);
@@ -905,7 +905,7 @@ MoviePlayer* OpenMovie(const char* filename, TArray<int>& ans, const int* framet
 		// VPX files have no sound track, so look for a same-named sound file with a known extension as the soundtrack to be played.
 		static const char* knownSoundExts[] = { "OGG",	"FLAC",	"MP3",	"OPUS", "WAV" };
 		FString name = StripExtension(filename);
-		anm->soundtrack = fileSystem.FindFileWithExtensions(name, knownSoundExts, countof(knownSoundExts));
+		anm->soundtrack = fileSystem.FindFileWithExtensions(name.GetChars(), knownSoundExts, countof(knownSoundExts));
 		return anm;
 	}
 	// add more formats here.
@@ -936,7 +936,7 @@ DEFINE_ACTION_FUNCTION(_MoviePlayer, Create)
 	if (firstframetime == -1) firstframetime = frametime;
 	if (lastframetime == -1) lastframetime = frametime;
 	int frametimes[] = { firstframetime, frametime, lastframetime };
-	auto movie = OpenMovie(filename, *sndinf, frametime == -1? nullptr : frametimes, flags, error);
+	auto movie = OpenMovie(filename.GetChars(), *sndinf, frametime == -1? nullptr : frametimes, flags, error);
 	if (!movie)
 	{
 		Printf(TEXTCOLOR_YELLOW "%s", error.GetChars());
diff --git a/source/common/cutscenes/screenjob.cpp b/source/common/cutscenes/screenjob.cpp
index c22745956..fa3752ba7 100644
--- a/source/common/cutscenes/screenjob.cpp
+++ b/source/common/cutscenes/screenjob.cpp
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ void AddGenericVideo(DObject* runner, const FString& fn, int soundid, int fps)
 int CutsceneDef::GetSound()
 {
 	FSoundID id = INVALID_SOUND;
-	if (soundName.IsNotEmpty()) id = soundEngine->FindSound(soundName);
+	if (soundName.IsNotEmpty()) id = soundEngine->FindSound(soundName.GetChars());
 	if (id == INVALID_SOUND) id = soundEngine->FindSoundByResID(soundID);
 	return id.index();
 }
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ void CutsceneDef::Create(DObject* runner)
 {
 	if (function.IsNotEmpty())
 	{
-		CallCreateFunction(function, runner);
+		CallCreateFunction(function.GetChars(), runner);
 	}
 	else if (video.IsNotEmpty())
 	{
diff --git a/source/common/engine/i_net.cpp b/source/common/engine/i_net.cpp
index 07dc7fdd9..65dc60cb1 100644
--- a/source/common/engine/i_net.cpp
+++ b/source/common/engine/i_net.cpp
@@ -419,12 +419,12 @@ void BuildAddress (sockaddr_in *address, const char *name)
 
 	if (!isnamed)
 	{
-		address->sin_addr.s_addr = inet_addr (target);
+		address->sin_addr.s_addr = inet_addr (target.GetChars());
 		Printf ("Node number %d, address %s\n", doomcom.numnodes, target.GetChars());
 	}
 	else
 	{
-		hostentry = gethostbyname (target);
+		hostentry = gethostbyname (target.GetChars());
 		if (!hostentry)
 			I_FatalError ("gethostbyname: couldn't find %s\n%s", target.GetChars(), neterror());
 		address->sin_addr.s_addr = *(int *)hostentry->h_addr_list[0];
diff --git a/source/common/engine/m_joy.cpp b/source/common/engine/m_joy.cpp
index 49ad103ae..a2ab71103 100644
--- a/source/common/engine/m_joy.cpp
+++ b/source/common/engine/m_joy.cpp
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ static bool M_SetJoystickConfigSection(IJoystickConfig *joy, bool create, FConfi
 	FString id = "Joy:";
 	id += joy->GetIdentifier();
 	if (!GameConfig) return false;
-	return GameConfig->SetSection(id, create);
+	return GameConfig->SetSection(id.GetChars(), create);
 }
 
 //==========================================================================
diff --git a/source/common/engine/serializer.cpp b/source/common/engine/serializer.cpp
index 3ea5bdb0b..bb54c0d2b 100644
--- a/source/common/engine/serializer.cpp
+++ b/source/common/engine/serializer.cpp
@@ -1145,7 +1145,7 @@ FSerializer &Serialize(FSerializer &arc, const char *key, FTextureID &value, FTe
 			}
 			else
 			{
-				name = pic->GetName();
+				name = pic->GetName().GetChars();
 			}
 			arc.WriteKey(key);
 			arc.w->StartArray();
@@ -1507,8 +1507,8 @@ FString DictionaryToString(const Dictionary &dict)
 
 	while (i.NextPair(pair))
 	{
-		writer.Key(pair->Key);
-		writer.String(pair->Value);
+		writer.Key(pair->Key.GetChars());
+		writer.String(pair->Value.GetChars());
 	}
 
 	writer.EndObject();
diff --git a/source/common/engine/stats.cpp b/source/common/engine/stats.cpp
index 0a295c8c6..70ad8e2f1 100644
--- a/source/common/engine/stats.cpp
+++ b/source/common/engine/stats.cpp
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ void FStat::PrintStat (F2DDrawer *drawer)
 					// Count number of linefeeds but ignore terminating ones.
 					if (stattext[i] == '\n') y -= fontheight;
 				}
-				DrawText(drawer, NewConsoleFont, CR_GREEN, 5 / textScale, y, stattext,
+				DrawText(drawer, NewConsoleFont, CR_GREEN, 5 / textScale, y, stattext.GetChars(),
 					DTA_VirtualWidth, twod->GetWidth() / textScale,
 					DTA_VirtualHeight, twod->GetHeight() / textScale,
 					DTA_KeepRatio, true, TAG_DONE);
diff --git a/source/common/engine/stringtable.cpp b/source/common/engine/stringtable.cpp
index 0774a7a9b..d507b281c 100644
--- a/source/common/engine/stringtable.cpp
+++ b/source/common/engine/stringtable.cpp
@@ -241,7 +241,7 @@ bool FStringTable::ParseLanguageCSV(int lumpnum, const char* buffer, size_t size
 						auto filter = filterstr.Split(" ", FString::TOK_SKIPEMPTY);
 						for (auto& entry : filter)
 						{
-							if (sysCallbacks.CheckGame(entry))
+							if (sysCallbacks.CheckGame(entry.GetChars()))
 							{
 								ok = true;
 								break;
@@ -639,7 +639,7 @@ bool FStringTable::MatchDefaultString(const char *name, const char *content) con
 
 	// Check a secondary key, in case the text comparison cannot be done due to needed orthographic fixes (see Harmony's exit text)
 	FStringf checkkey("%s_CHECK", name);
-	auto cc = GetLanguageString(checkkey, FStringTable::default_table);
+	auto cc = GetLanguageString(checkkey.GetChars(), FStringTable::default_table);
 	if (cc) c = cc;
 
 	return (c && !strnicmp(c, content, strcspn(content, "\n\r\t")));
diff --git a/source/common/engine/stringtable.h b/source/common/engine/stringtable.h
index 6850f8832..57827aa04 100644
--- a/source/common/engine/stringtable.h
+++ b/source/common/engine/stringtable.h
@@ -97,6 +97,7 @@ public:
 	bool MatchDefaultString(const char *name, const char *content) const;
 	const char *GetString(const char *name, uint32_t *langtable, int gender = -1) const;
 	const char *operator() (const char *name) const;	// Never returns NULL
+	const char* operator() (const FString& name) const { return operator()(name.GetChars()); }
 	const char *operator[] (const char *name) const
 	{
 		return GetString(name, nullptr);
diff --git a/source/common/menu/joystickmenu.cpp b/source/common/menu/joystickmenu.cpp
index 10408d916..ae152b5f0 100644
--- a/source/common/menu/joystickmenu.cpp
+++ b/source/common/menu/joystickmenu.cpp
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ void UpdateJoystickMenu(IJoystickConfig *selected)
 
 		for (int ii = 0; ii < (int)Joysticks.Size(); ++ii)
 		{
-			it = CreateOptionMenuItemJoyConfigMenu(Joysticks[ii]->GetName(), Joysticks[ii]);
+			it = CreateOptionMenuItemJoyConfigMenu(Joysticks[ii]->GetName().GetChars(), Joysticks[ii]);
 			GC::WriteBarrier(opt, it);
 			opt->mItems.Push(it);
 			if (ii == itemnum) opt->mSelectedItem = opt->mItems.Size();
diff --git a/source/common/menu/menu.cpp b/source/common/menu/menu.cpp
index 67ed85a6e..448b196a1 100644
--- a/source/common/menu/menu.cpp
+++ b/source/common/menu/menu.cpp
@@ -1209,7 +1209,7 @@ bool DMenuItemBase::GetString(int i, char *s, int len)
 		FString retstr;
 		VMReturn ret[2]; ret[0].IntAt(&retval); ret[1].StringAt(&retstr);
 		VMCall(func, params, countof(params), ret, 2);
-		strncpy(s, retstr, len);
+		strncpy(s, retstr.GetChars(), len);
 		return !!retval;
 	}
 	return false;
diff --git a/source/common/menu/menudef.cpp b/source/common/menu/menudef.cpp
index 34ef1fc9d..dcef0e1de 100644
--- a/source/common/menu/menudef.cpp
+++ b/source/common/menu/menudef.cpp
@@ -1628,7 +1628,7 @@ static void InitMusicMenus()
 					{
 						FString display = entry.mName;
 						display.ReplaceChars("_", ' ');
-						auto it = CreateOptionMenuItemCommand(display, FStringf("%s \"%s\"", std::get<2>(p), entry.mName.GetChars()), true);
+						auto it = CreateOptionMenuItemCommand(display.GetChars(), FStringf("%s \"%s\"", std::get<2>(p), entry.mName.GetChars()), true);
 						static_cast<DOptionMenuDescriptor*>(*menu)->mItems.Push(it);
 					}
 				}
diff --git a/source/common/menu/messagebox.cpp b/source/common/menu/messagebox.cpp
index 8b8334b02..21f22d190 100644
--- a/source/common/menu/messagebox.cpp
+++ b/source/common/menu/messagebox.cpp
@@ -99,6 +99,6 @@ DEFINE_ACTION_FUNCTION(DMenu, StartMessage)
 	PARAM_STRING(msg);
 	PARAM_INT(mode);
 	PARAM_NAME(action);
-	M_StartMessage(msg, mode, action);
+	M_StartMessage(msg.GetChars(), mode, action);
 	return 0;
 }
diff --git a/source/common/menu/savegamemanager.cpp b/source/common/menu/savegamemanager.cpp
index 29b0f447b..35cf6674d 100644
--- a/source/common/menu/savegamemanager.cpp
+++ b/source/common/menu/savegamemanager.cpp
@@ -252,7 +252,7 @@ void FSavegameManagerBase::DoSave(int Selected, const char *savegamestring)
 				break;
 			}
 		}
-		PerformSaveGame(filename, savegamestring);
+		PerformSaveGame(filename.GetChars(), savegamestring);
 	}
 	M_ClearMenus();
 }
@@ -262,7 +262,7 @@ DEFINE_ACTION_FUNCTION(FSavegameManager, DoSave)
 	PARAM_SELF_STRUCT_PROLOGUE(FSavegameManagerBase);
 	PARAM_INT(sel);
 	PARAM_STRING(name);
-	self->DoSave(sel, name);
+	self->DoSave(sel, name.GetChars());
 	return 0;
 }
 
@@ -559,7 +559,7 @@ FString G_GetSavegamesFolder()
 	}
 	else
 	{
-		name = **save_dir ? save_dir : M_GetSavegamesPath();
+		name = **save_dir ? FString(save_dir) : M_GetSavegamesPath();
 		usefilter = true;
 	}
 
@@ -574,8 +574,8 @@ FString G_GetSavegamesFolder()
 	if (usefilter && SavegameFolder.IsNotEmpty())
 		name << SavegameFolder << '/';
 
-	name = NicePath(name);
-	CreatePath(name);
+	name = NicePath(name.GetChars());
+	CreatePath(name.GetChars());
 	return name;
 }
 
@@ -589,7 +589,7 @@ FString G_BuildSaveName(const char* prefix)
 {
 	FString name = G_GetSavegamesFolder() + prefix;
 	DefaultExtension(name, "." SAVEGAME_EXT); // only add an extension if the prefix doesn't have one already.
-	name = NicePath(name);
+	name = NicePath(name.GetChars());
 	name.Substitute("\\", "/");
 	return name;
 }
diff --git a/source/common/models/models_ue1.cpp b/source/common/models/models_ue1.cpp
index 742ef4aaf..408860185 100644
--- a/source/common/models/models_ue1.cpp
+++ b/source/common/models/models_ue1.cpp
@@ -53,14 +53,14 @@ bool FUE1Model::Load( const char *filename, int lumpnum, const char *buffer, int
 	if ( (size_t)realfilename.IndexOf("_d.3d") == realfilename.Len()-5 )
 	{
 		realfilename.Substitute("_d.3d","_a.3d");
-		lumpnum2 = fileSystem.CheckNumForFullName(realfilename);
+		lumpnum2 = fileSystem.CheckNumForFullName(realfilename.GetChars());
 		mDataLump = lumpnum;
 		mAnivLump = lumpnum2;
 	}
 	else
 	{
 		realfilename.Substitute("_a.3d","_d.3d");
-		lumpnum2 = fileSystem.CheckNumForFullName(realfilename);
+		lumpnum2 = fileSystem.CheckNumForFullName(realfilename.GetChars());
 		mAnivLump = lumpnum;
 		mDataLump = lumpnum2;
 	}
diff --git a/source/common/rendering/gl/gl_renderbuffers.cpp b/source/common/rendering/gl/gl_renderbuffers.cpp
index 4f49cdce3..3ce335d7a 100644
--- a/source/common/rendering/gl/gl_renderbuffers.cpp
+++ b/source/common/rendering/gl/gl_renderbuffers.cpp
@@ -836,8 +836,8 @@ FShaderProgram *GLPPRenderState::GetGLShader(PPShader *shader)
 			prolog = UniformBlockDecl::Create("Uniforms", shader->Uniforms, POSTPROCESS_BINDINGPOINT);
 		prolog += shader->Defines;
 
-		glshader->Compile(FShaderProgram::Vertex, shader->VertexShader, "", shader->Version);
-		glshader->Compile(FShaderProgram::Fragment, shader->FragmentShader, prolog, shader->Version);
+		glshader->Compile(FShaderProgram::Vertex, shader->VertexShader.GetChars(), "", shader->Version);
+		glshader->Compile(FShaderProgram::Fragment, shader->FragmentShader.GetChars(), prolog.GetChars(), shader->Version);
 		glshader->Link(shader->FragmentShader.GetChars());
 		if (!shader->Uniforms.empty())
 			glshader->SetUniformBufferLocation(POSTPROCESS_BINDINGPOINT, "Uniforms");
diff --git a/source/common/rendering/gl/gl_shader.cpp b/source/common/rendering/gl/gl_shader.cpp
index afa05b863..7340236ab 100644
--- a/source/common/rendering/gl/gl_shader.cpp
+++ b/source/common/rendering/gl/gl_shader.cpp
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ static FString CalcProgramBinaryChecksum(const FString &vertex, const FString &f
 static FString CreateProgramCacheName(bool create)
 {
 	FString path = M_GetCachePath(create);
-	if (create) CreatePath(path);
+	if (create) CreatePath(path.GetChars());
 	path << "/shadercache.zdsc";
 	return path;
 }
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ static void LoadShaders()
 	{
 		FString path = CreateProgramCacheName(false);
 		FileReader fr;
-		if (!fr.OpenFile(path))
+		if (!fr.OpenFile(path.GetChars()))
 			I_Error("Could not open shader file");
 
 		char magic[4];
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ static void LoadShaders()
 static void SaveShaders()
 {
 	FString path = CreateProgramCacheName(true);
-	std::unique_ptr<FileWriter> fw(FileWriter::Open(path));
+	std::unique_ptr<FileWriter> fw(FileWriter::Open(path.GetChars()));
 	if (fw)
 	{
 		uint32_t count = (uint32_t)ShaderCache.size();
@@ -837,9 +837,9 @@ bool FShaderCollection::CompileNextShader()
 	}
 	else if (mCompileState == 2)
 	{
-		FString name = ExtractFileBase(usershaders[i].shader);
+		FString name = ExtractFileBase(usershaders[i].shader.GetChars());
 		FString defines = defaultshaders[usershaders[i].shaderType].Defines + usershaders[i].defines;
-		FShader *shc = Compile(name, usershaders[i].shader, defaultshaders[usershaders[i].shaderType].lightfunc, defines, true, mPassType);
+		FShader *shc = Compile(name.GetChars(), usershaders[i].shader.GetChars(), defaultshaders[usershaders[i].shaderType].lightfunc, defines.GetChars(), true, mPassType);
 		mMaterialShaders.Push(shc);
 		mCompileIndex++;
 		if (mCompileIndex >= (int)usershaders.Size())
diff --git a/source/common/rendering/gl/gl_shaderprogram.cpp b/source/common/rendering/gl/gl_shaderprogram.cpp
index feca86aa8..d5e8dd321 100644
--- a/source/common/rendering/gl/gl_shaderprogram.cpp
+++ b/source/common/rendering/gl/gl_shaderprogram.cpp
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ void FShaderProgram::CompileShader(ShaderType type)
 
 	const auto &handle = mShaders[type];
 
-	FGLDebug::LabelObject(GL_SHADER, handle, mShaderNames[type]);
+	FGLDebug::LabelObject(GL_SHADER, handle, mShaderNames[type].GetChars());
 
 	const FString &patchedCode = mShaderSources[type];
 	int lengths[1] = { (int)patchedCode.Len() };
@@ -186,7 +186,7 @@ void FShaderProgram::Link(const char *name)
 		glUseProgram(mProgram);
 		for (auto &uni : samplerstobind)
 		{
-			auto index = glGetUniformLocation(mProgram, uni.first);
+			auto index = glGetUniformLocation(mProgram, uni.first.GetChars());
 			if (index >= 0)
 			{
 				glUniform1i(index, uni.second);
@@ -300,8 +300,8 @@ void FPresentShaderBase::Init(const char * vtx_shader_name, const char * program
 	FString prolog = Uniforms.CreateDeclaration("Uniforms", PresentUniforms::Desc());
 
 	mShader.reset(new FShaderProgram());
-	mShader->Compile(FShaderProgram::Vertex, "shaders/pp/screenquad.vp", prolog, 330);
-	mShader->Compile(FShaderProgram::Fragment, vtx_shader_name, prolog, 330);
+	mShader->Compile(FShaderProgram::Vertex, "shaders/pp/screenquad.vp", prolog.GetChars(), 330);
+	mShader->Compile(FShaderProgram::Fragment, vtx_shader_name, prolog.GetChars(), 330);
 	mShader->Link(program_name);
 	mShader->SetUniformBufferLocation(Uniforms.BindingPoint(), "Uniforms");
 	Uniforms.Init();
@@ -355,7 +355,7 @@ void FShadowMapShader::Bind()
 
 		mShader.reset(new FShaderProgram());
 		mShader->Compile(FShaderProgram::Vertex, "shaders/pp/screenquad.vp", "", 430);
-		mShader->Compile(FShaderProgram::Fragment, "shaders/pp/shadowmap.fp", prolog, 430);
+		mShader->Compile(FShaderProgram::Fragment, "shaders/pp/shadowmap.fp", prolog.GetChars(), 430);
 		mShader->Link("shaders/glsl/shadowmap");
 		mShader->SetUniformBufferLocation(Uniforms.BindingPoint(), "Uniforms");
 		Uniforms.Init();
diff --git a/source/common/rendering/hwrenderer/data/hw_shaderpatcher.cpp b/source/common/rendering/hwrenderer/data/hw_shaderpatcher.cpp
index 2b391d185..9049e5090 100644
--- a/source/common/rendering/hwrenderer/data/hw_shaderpatcher.cpp
+++ b/source/common/rendering/hwrenderer/data/hw_shaderpatcher.cpp
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ FString RemoveSamplerBindings(FString code, TArray<std::pair<FString, int>> &sam
 						FString type = NextGlslToken(chars, len, pos);
 						FString identifier = NextGlslToken(chars, len, pos);
 
-						isSamplerUniformName = uniform.Compare("uniform") == 0 && isShaderType(type);
+						isSamplerUniformName = uniform.Compare("uniform") == 0 && isShaderType(type.GetChars());
 						if (isSamplerUniformName)
 						{
 							samplerstobind.Push(std::make_pair(identifier, val));
diff --git a/source/common/rendering/hwrenderer/postprocessing/hw_postprocessshader_ccmds.cpp b/source/common/rendering/hwrenderer/postprocessing/hw_postprocessshader_ccmds.cpp
index 4608b9ce9..7ab93b3ec 100644
--- a/source/common/rendering/hwrenderer/postprocessing/hw_postprocessshader_ccmds.cpp
+++ b/source/common/rendering/hwrenderer/postprocessing/hw_postprocessshader_ccmds.cpp
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ CCMD (shaderenable)
 	for (unsigned int i = 0; i < PostProcessShaders.Size(); i++)
 	{
 		PostProcessShader &shader = PostProcessShaders[i];
-		if (strcmp(shader.Name, shaderName) == 0)
+		if (shader.Name.Compare(shaderName) == 0)
 		{
 			if (value != -1)
 				shader.Enabled = value;
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ CCMD (shaderuniform)
 	for (unsigned int i = 0; i < PostProcessShaders.Size(); i++)
 	{
 		PostProcessShader &shader = PostProcessShaders[i];
-		if (strcmp(shader.Name, shaderName) == 0)
+		if (shader.Name.Compare(shaderName) == 0)
 		{
 			if (argv.argc() > 3)
 			{
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ CCMD(listuniforms)
 	for (unsigned int i = 0; i < PostProcessShaders.Size(); i++)
 	{
 		PostProcessShader &shader = PostProcessShaders[i];
-		if (strcmp(shader.Name, shaderName) == 0)
+		if (shader.Name.Compare(shaderName) == 0)
 		{
 			Printf("Shader '%s' uniforms:\n", shaderName);
 
diff --git a/source/common/scripting/core/imports.cpp b/source/common/scripting/core/imports.cpp
index 3006462cd..eed84980a 100644
--- a/source/common/scripting/core/imports.cpp
+++ b/source/common/scripting/core/imports.cpp
@@ -198,8 +198,8 @@ void InitImports()
 		{
 			assert(afunc->VMPointer != NULL);
 			*(afunc->VMPointer) = new VMNativeFunction(afunc->Function, afunc->FuncName);
-			(*(afunc->VMPointer))->QualifiedName = ClassDataAllocator.Strdup(FStringf("%s.%s", afunc->ClassName + 1, afunc->FuncName));
-			(*(afunc->VMPointer))->PrintableName = ClassDataAllocator.Strdup(FStringf("%s.%s [Native]", afunc->ClassName+1, afunc->FuncName));
+			(*(afunc->VMPointer))->QualifiedName = ClassDataAllocator.Strdup(FStringf("%s.%s", afunc->ClassName + 1, afunc->FuncName).GetChars());
+			(*(afunc->VMPointer))->PrintableName = ClassDataAllocator.Strdup(FStringf("%s.%s [Native]", afunc->ClassName+1, afunc->FuncName).GetChars());
 			(*(afunc->VMPointer))->DirectNativeCall = afunc->DirectNative;
 			AFTable.Push(*afunc);
 		});
diff --git a/source/common/scripting/interface/stringformat.cpp b/source/common/scripting/interface/stringformat.cpp
index 77ce54ed6..e43c1ae24 100644
--- a/source/common/scripting/interface/stringformat.cpp
+++ b/source/common/scripting/interface/stringformat.cpp
@@ -408,13 +408,13 @@ DEFINE_ACTION_FUNCTION_NATIVE(FStringStruct, ByteAt, StringByteAt)
 
 static void StringFilter(FString *self, FString *result)
 {
-	*result = strbin1(*self);
+	*result = strbin1(self->GetChars());
 }
 
 DEFINE_ACTION_FUNCTION_NATIVE(FStringStruct, Filter, StringFilter)
 {
 	PARAM_SELF_STRUCT_PROLOGUE(FString);
-	ACTION_RETURN_STRING(strbin1(*self));
+	ACTION_RETURN_STRING(strbin1(self->GetChars()));
 }
 
 static int StringIndexOf(FString *self, const FString &substr, int startIndex)
diff --git a/source/common/scripting/jit/jit_move.cpp b/source/common/scripting/jit/jit_move.cpp
index 840a6487c..edff1763c 100644
--- a/source/common/scripting/jit/jit_move.cpp
+++ b/source/common/scripting/jit/jit_move.cpp
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ static int CastS2I(FString *b) { return (int)b->ToLong(); }
 static double CastS2F(FString *b) { return b->ToDouble(); }
 static int CastS2N(FString *b) { return b->Len() == 0 ? NAME_None : FName(*b).GetIndex(); }
 static void CastN2S(FString *a, int b) { FName name = FName(ENamedName(b)); *a = name.IsValidName() ? name.GetChars() : ""; }
-static int CastS2Co(FString *b) { return V_GetColor(*b); }
+static int CastS2Co(FString *b) { return V_GetColor(b->GetChars()); }
 static void CastCo2S(FString *a, int b) { PalEntry c(b); a->Format("%02x %02x %02x", c.r, c.g, c.b); }
 static int CastS2So(FString *b) { return S_FindSound(*b).index(); }
 static void CastSo2S(FString* a, int b) { *a = soundEngine->GetSoundName(FSoundID::fromInt(b)); }
diff --git a/source/common/startscreen/endoom.cpp b/source/common/startscreen/endoom.cpp
index 0fff948c0..4a7565dbc 100644
--- a/source/common/startscreen/endoom.cpp
+++ b/source/common/startscreen/endoom.cpp
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ int RunEndoom()
 		return 0;
 	}
 
-	int endoom_lump = fileSystem.CheckNumForFullName (endoomName, true);
+	int endoom_lump = fileSystem.CheckNumForFullName (endoomName.GetChars(), true);
 	
 	if (endoom_lump < 0 || fileSystem.FileLength (endoom_lump) != 4000)
 	{
diff --git a/source/common/startscreen/startscreen.cpp b/source/common/startscreen/startscreen.cpp
index 660561fd2..50974fd0e 100644
--- a/source/common/startscreen/startscreen.cpp
+++ b/source/common/startscreen/startscreen.cpp
@@ -570,8 +570,8 @@ void FStartScreen::CreateHeader()
 	fcolor.rgbBlue = BPART(GameStartupInfo.FgColor);
 	fcolor.rgbReserved = 255;
 	ClearBlock(HeaderBitmap, bcolor, 0, 0, HeaderBitmap.GetWidth(), HeaderBitmap.GetHeight());
-	int textlen = SizeOfText(GameStartupInfo.Name);
-	DrawString(HeaderBitmap, (HeaderBitmap.GetWidth() >> 4) - (textlen >> 1), 0.5, GameStartupInfo.Name, fcolor, bcolor);
+	int textlen = SizeOfText(GameStartupInfo.Name.GetChars());
+	DrawString(HeaderBitmap, (HeaderBitmap.GetWidth() >> 4) - (textlen >> 1), 0.5, GameStartupInfo.Name.GetChars(), fcolor, bcolor);
 	NetBitmap.Create(StartupBitmap.GetWidth() * Scale, 16);
 }
 
@@ -588,7 +588,7 @@ void FStartScreen::DrawNetStatus(int found, int total)
 	RgbQuad black = { 0, 0, 0, 255 };
 	RgbQuad gray = { 100, 100, 100, 255 };
 	ClearBlock(NetBitmap, black, 0, NetBitmap.GetHeight() - 16, NetBitmap.GetWidth(), 16);
-	DrawString(NetBitmap, 0, 0, NetMessageString, gray, black);
+	DrawString(NetBitmap, 0, 0, NetMessageString.GetChars(), gray, black);
 	char of[10];
 	mysnprintf(of, 10, "%d/%d", found, total);
 	int siz = SizeOfText(of);
diff --git a/source/common/textures/gametexture.cpp b/source/common/textures/gametexture.cpp
index 2c873d15f..755f48b49 100644
--- a/source/common/textures/gametexture.cpp
+++ b/source/common/textures/gametexture.cpp
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ void FGameTexture::AddAutoMaterials()
 		if (this->*(layer.pointer) == nullptr)	// only if no explicit assignment had been done.
 		{
 			FStringf lookup("%s%s%s", layer.path, fullname ? "" : "auto/", searchname.GetChars());
-			auto lump = fileSystem.CheckNumForFullName(lookup, false, FileSys::ns_global, true);
+			auto lump = fileSystem.CheckNumForFullName(lookup.GetChars(), false, FileSys::ns_global, true);
 			if (lump != -1)
 			{
 				auto bmtex = TexMan.FindGameTexture(fileSystem.GetFileFullName(lump), ETextureType::Any, FTextureManager::TEXMAN_TryAny);
@@ -199,7 +199,7 @@ void FGameTexture::AddAutoMaterials()
 		if (!this->Layers || this->Layers.get()->*(layer.pointer) == nullptr)	// only if no explicit assignment had been done.
 		{
 			FStringf lookup("%s%s%s", layer.path, fullname ? "" : "auto/", searchname.GetChars());
-			auto lump = fileSystem.CheckNumForFullName(lookup, false, FileSys::ns_global, true);
+			auto lump = fileSystem.CheckNumForFullName(lookup.GetChars(), false, FileSys::ns_global, true);
 			if (lump != -1)
 			{
 				auto bmtex = TexMan.FindGameTexture(fileSystem.GetFileFullName(lump), ETextureType::Any, FTextureManager::TEXMAN_TryAny);
diff --git a/source/common/textures/multipatchtexturebuilder.cpp b/source/common/textures/multipatchtexturebuilder.cpp
index c032372c3..7f94437d2 100644
--- a/source/common/textures/multipatchtexturebuilder.cpp
+++ b/source/common/textures/multipatchtexturebuilder.cpp
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ struct FPatchLookup
 
 void FMultipatchTextureBuilder::MakeTexture(BuildInfo &buildinfo, ETextureType usetype)
 {
-	buildinfo.texture = new FGameTexture(nullptr, buildinfo.Name);
+	buildinfo.texture = new FGameTexture(nullptr, buildinfo.Name.GetChars());
 	buildinfo.texture->SetUseType(usetype);
 	buildinfo.texture->SetSize(buildinfo.Width, buildinfo.Height);
 	buildinfo.texture->SetOffsets(0, buildinfo.LeftOffset[0], buildinfo.TopOffset[0]);	// These are needed for construction of other multipatch textures.
@@ -373,7 +373,7 @@ void FMultipatchTextureBuilder::AddTexturesLump(const void *lumpdata, int lumpsi
 		int j;
 		for (j = (int)TexMan.NumTextures() - 1; j >= firstdup; --j)
 		{
-			if (strnicmp(TexMan.GameByIndex(j)->GetName(), (const char *)maptex + offset, 8) == 0)
+			if (strnicmp(TexMan.GameByIndex(j)->GetName().GetChars(), (const char *)maptex + offset, 8) == 0)
 				break;
 		}
 		if (j + 1 == firstdup)
@@ -778,11 +778,11 @@ void FMultipatchTextureBuilder::ResolvePatches(BuildInfo &buildinfo)
 {
 	for (unsigned i = 0; i < buildinfo.Inits.Size(); i++)
 	{
-		FTextureID texno = TexMan.CheckForTexture(buildinfo.Inits[i].TexName, buildinfo.Inits[i].UseType);
+		FTextureID texno = TexMan.CheckForTexture(buildinfo.Inits[i].TexName.GetChars(), buildinfo.Inits[i].UseType);
 		if (texno == buildinfo.texture->GetID())	// we found ourselves. Try looking for another one with the same name which is not a multipatch texture itself.
 		{
 			TArray<FTextureID> list;
-			TexMan.ListTextures(buildinfo.Inits[i].TexName, list, true);
+			TexMan.ListTextures(buildinfo.Inits[i].TexName.GetChars(), list, true);
 			for (int ii = list.Size() - 1; ii >= 0; ii--)
 			{
 				auto gtex = TexMan.GetGameTexture(list[ii]);
diff --git a/source/common/textures/texturemanager.cpp b/source/common/textures/texturemanager.cpp
index b742ca787..570e01315 100644
--- a/source/common/textures/texturemanager.cpp
+++ b/source/common/textures/texturemanager.cpp
@@ -178,7 +178,7 @@ FTextureID FTextureManager::CheckForTexture (const char *name, ETextureType uset
 		auto tex = Textures[i].Texture;
 
 
-		if (stricmp (tex->GetName(), name) == 0 )
+		if (tex->GetName().CompareNoCase(name) == 0 )
 		{
 			// If we look for short names, we must ignore any long name texture.
 			if ((flags & TEXMAN_ShortNameOnly) && tex->isFullNameTexture())
@@ -306,7 +306,7 @@ int FTextureManager::ListTextures (const char *name, TArray<FTextureID> &list, b
 	{
 		auto tex = Textures[i].Texture;
 
-		if (stricmp (tex->GetName(), name) == 0)
+		if (tex->GetName().CompareNoCase(name) == 0)
 		{
 			auto texUseType = tex->GetUseType();
 			// NULL textures must be ignored.
@@ -422,7 +422,7 @@ FTextureID FTextureManager::AddGameTexture (FGameTexture *texture, bool addtohas
 	// Textures without name can't be looked for
 	if (addtohash && texture->GetName().IsNotEmpty())
 	{
-		bucket = int(MakeKey (texture->GetName()) % HASH_SIZE);
+		bucket = int(MakeKey (texture->GetName().GetChars()) % HASH_SIZE);
 		hash = HashFirst[bucket];
 	}
 	else
@@ -460,7 +460,7 @@ FTextureID FTextureManager::CreateTexture (int lumpnum, ETextureType usetype)
 			auto fn = fileSystem.GetFileFullName(lumpnum);
 			str = ExtractFileBase(fn);
 		}
-		auto out = MakeGameTexture(CreateTextureFromLump(lumpnum, usetype == ETextureType::Flat), str, usetype);
+		auto out = MakeGameTexture(CreateTextureFromLump(lumpnum, usetype == ETextureType::Flat), str.GetChars(), usetype);
 
 		if (out != NULL)
 		{
@@ -514,7 +514,7 @@ void FTextureManager::ReplaceTexture (FTextureID texid, FGameTexture *newtexture
 
 	auto oldtexture = Textures[index].Texture;
 
-	newtexture->SetName(oldtexture->GetName());
+	newtexture->SetName(oldtexture->GetName().GetChars());
 	newtexture->SetUseType(oldtexture->GetUseType());
 	Textures[index].Texture = newtexture;
 	newtexture->SetID(oldtexture->GetID());
@@ -793,7 +793,7 @@ void FTextureManager::ParseTextureDef(int lump, FMultipatchTextureBuilder &build
 
 				if (lumpnum>=0)
 				{
-					auto newtex = MakeGameTexture(CreateTextureFromLump(lumpnum), src, ETextureType::Override);
+					auto newtex = MakeGameTexture(CreateTextureFromLump(lumpnum), src.GetChars(), ETextureType::Override);
 
 					if (newtex != NULL)
 					{
@@ -801,7 +801,7 @@ void FTextureManager::ParseTextureDef(int lump, FMultipatchTextureBuilder &build
 						newtex->SetWorldPanning(true);
 						newtex->SetDisplaySize((float)width, (float)height);
 
-						FTextureID oldtex = TexMan.CheckForTexture(src, ETextureType::MiscPatch);
+						FTextureID oldtex = TexMan.CheckForTexture(src.GetChars(), ETextureType::MiscPatch);
 						if (oldtex.isValid()) 
 						{
 							ReplaceTexture(oldtex, newtex, true);
@@ -1127,8 +1127,8 @@ void FTextureManager::AddLocalizedVariants()
 		}
 		if (tokens.Size() >= 2)
 		{
-			FString base = ExtractFileBase(tokens[0]);
-			FTextureID origTex = CheckForTexture(base, ETextureType::MiscPatch);
+			FString base = ExtractFileBase(tokens[0].GetChars());
+			FTextureID origTex = CheckForTexture(base.GetChars(), ETextureType::MiscPatch);
 			if (origTex.isValid())
 			{
 				FTextureID tex = CheckForTexture(entry.name, ETextureType::MiscPatch);
@@ -1367,7 +1367,7 @@ FTextureID FTextureManager::GetFrontSkyLayer(FTextureID texid)
 	// But do not link the new texture into the hash chain!
 	auto itex = new FImageTexture(image);
 	itex->SetNoRemap0();
-	auto FrontSkyLayer = MakeGameTexture(itex, tex->GetName(), ETextureType::Wall);
+	auto FrontSkyLayer = MakeGameTexture(itex, tex->GetName().GetChars(), ETextureType::Wall);
 	FrontSkyLayer->SetUseType(tex->GetUseType());
 	texid = TexMan.AddGameTexture(FrontSkyLayer, false);
 	Textures[texidx].FrontSkyLayer = texid.GetIndex();
diff --git a/source/common/thirdparty/libsmackerdec/src/FileStream.cpp b/source/common/thirdparty/libsmackerdec/src/FileStream.cpp
index 454143ff1..f7845136b 100644
--- a/source/common/thirdparty/libsmackerdec/src/FileStream.cpp
+++ b/source/common/thirdparty/libsmackerdec/src/FileStream.cpp
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ bool FileStream::Open(const char *fileName)
 {
 	FString fixedname = fileName;
 	FixPathSeperator(fixedname);
-    file = fileSystem.OpenFileReader(fixedname);
+    file = fileSystem.OpenFileReader(fixedname.GetChars());
 	if (!file.isOpen())
 	{
 		// log error
diff --git a/source/common/utility/engineerrors.cpp b/source/common/utility/engineerrors.cpp
index 4d0125819..41485778a 100644
--- a/source/common/utility/engineerrors.cpp
+++ b/source/common/utility/engineerrors.cpp
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ void I_DebugPrintf(const char *fmt,...)
 
 		va_end(args);
 
-		auto wstr = WideString(s);
+		auto wstr = WideString(s.GetChars());
 		OutputDebugStringW(wstr.c_str());
 	}
 }
diff --git a/source/common/utility/m_argv.cpp b/source/common/utility/m_argv.cpp
index d6f834d88..b9b05c3e9 100644
--- a/source/common/utility/m_argv.cpp
+++ b/source/common/utility/m_argv.cpp
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ int FArgs::CheckParm(const char** check, int start) const
 {
 	for (unsigned i = start; i < Argv.Size(); ++i)
 	{
-		if (0 == stricmp(check, Argv[i]))
+		if (0 == stricmp(check, Argv[i].GetChars()))
 		{
 			return i;
 		}
diff --git a/source/common/utility/memarena.cpp b/source/common/utility/memarena.cpp
index 767824a64..83621df47 100644
--- a/source/common/utility/memarena.cpp
+++ b/source/common/utility/memarena.cpp
@@ -342,7 +342,7 @@ FString *FSharedStringArena::Alloc(const FString &source)
 	unsigned int hash;
 	Node *strnode;
 
-	strnode = FindString(source, source.Len(), hash);
+	strnode = FindString(source.GetChars(), source.Len(), hash);
 	if (strnode == NULL)
 	{
 		strnode = (Node *)iAlloc(sizeof(Node));
diff --git a/source/common/utility/palette.cpp b/source/common/utility/palette.cpp
index 0b5cca67b..c0fcd9f5d 100644
--- a/source/common/utility/palette.cpp
+++ b/source/common/utility/palette.cpp
@@ -759,7 +759,7 @@ int V_GetColor(const char* str, FScriptPosition* sc)
 
 	if (!string.IsEmpty())
 	{
-		res = V_GetColorFromString(string, sc);
+		res = V_GetColorFromString(string.GetChars(), sc);
 	}
 	else
 	{
diff --git a/source/common/utility/s_playlist.cpp b/source/common/utility/s_playlist.cpp
index d457d0137..694329b58 100644
--- a/source/common/utility/s_playlist.cpp
+++ b/source/common/utility/s_playlist.cpp
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ bool FPlayList::ChangeList (const char *path)
 		// For a .PLS file, skip anything that doesn't start with File[0-9]+=
 		if (pls)
 		{
-			if (strncmp(song, "File", 4) != 0)
+			if (strncmp(song.GetChars(), "File", 4) != 0)
 			{
 				continue;
 			}
@@ -205,5 +205,5 @@ const char *FPlayList::GetSong (int position) const
 	if ((unsigned)position >= Songs.Size())
 		return NULL;
 
-	return Songs[position];
+	return Songs[position].GetChars();
 }
diff --git a/source/common/utility/zstring.h b/source/common/utility/zstring.h
index 07c6564bf..dfbe47706 100644
--- a/source/common/utility/zstring.h
+++ b/source/common/utility/zstring.h
@@ -163,8 +163,6 @@ public:
 	explicit operator bool() = delete; // this is needed to render the operator const char * ineffective when used in boolean constructs.
 	bool operator !() = delete;
 
-	operator const char *() const { return Chars; }
-
 	const char *GetChars() const { return Chars; }
 
 	const char &operator[] (int index) const { return Chars[index]; }