diff --git a/intern/ghost/CMakeLists.txt b/intern/ghost/CMakeLists.txt
index 68fc9637e02..23c1c15ed53 100644
--- a/intern/ghost/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/intern/ghost/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -86,7 +86,6 @@ set(SRC
 
 set(LIB
   bf_intern_glew_mx
-  bf_intern_string
   ${GLEW_LIBRARY}
 )
 
diff --git a/intern/ghost/GHOST_IContext.h b/intern/ghost/GHOST_IContext.h
index 1225262a908..8c24261644a 100644
--- a/intern/ghost/GHOST_IContext.h
+++ b/intern/ghost/GHOST_IContext.h
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@
 #define __GHOST_IContext_H__
 
 #include "GHOST_Types.h"
-#include "STR_String.h"
 
 /**
  * Interface for GHOST context.
diff --git a/intern/ghost/GHOST_ISystem.h b/intern/ghost/GHOST_ISystem.h
index 58d1a08da74..9b619f5c684 100644
--- a/intern/ghost/GHOST_ISystem.h
+++ b/intern/ghost/GHOST_ISystem.h
@@ -27,6 +27,8 @@
 #ifndef __GHOST_ISYSTEM_H__
 #define __GHOST_ISYSTEM_H__
 
+#include <stdlib.h>
+
 #include "GHOST_IContext.h"
 #include "GHOST_ITimerTask.h"
 #include "GHOST_IWindow.h"
@@ -240,7 +242,7 @@ class GHOST_ISystem {
    * \param parentWindow: Parent (embedder) window
    * \return The new window (or 0 if creation failed).
    */
-  virtual GHOST_IWindow *createWindow(const STR_String &title,
+  virtual GHOST_IWindow *createWindow(const char *title,
                                       GHOST_TInt32 left,
                                       GHOST_TInt32 top,
                                       GHOST_TUns32 width,
diff --git a/intern/ghost/GHOST_IWindow.h b/intern/ghost/GHOST_IWindow.h
index daf07b81e01..62290d20f1c 100644
--- a/intern/ghost/GHOST_IWindow.h
+++ b/intern/ghost/GHOST_IWindow.h
@@ -27,7 +27,9 @@
 
 #include "GHOST_Rect.h"
 #include "GHOST_Types.h"
-#include "STR_String.h"
+
+#include <stdlib.h>
+#include <string>
 
 /**
  * Interface for GHOST windows.
@@ -81,13 +83,13 @@ class GHOST_IWindow {
    * Sets the title displayed in the title bar.
    * \param title The title to display in the title bar.
    */
-  virtual void setTitle(const STR_String &title) = 0;
+  virtual void setTitle(const char *title) = 0;
 
   /**
    * Returns the title displayed in the title bar.
    * \param title The title displayed in the title bar.
    */
-  virtual void getTitle(STR_String &title) const = 0;
+  virtual std::string getTitle() const = 0;
 
   /**
    * Returns the window rectangle dimensions.
diff --git a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_C-api.cpp b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_C-api.cpp
index 1c95814f0d9..843684b6d2e 100644
--- a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_C-api.cpp
+++ b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_C-api.cpp
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@
  */
 
 #include <stdlib.h>
+#include <string.h>
 
 #include "GHOST_C-api.h"
 #include "GHOST_IEvent.h"
@@ -527,17 +528,15 @@ void GHOST_SetTitle(GHOST_WindowHandle windowhandle, const char *title)
 char *GHOST_GetTitle(GHOST_WindowHandle windowhandle)
 {
   GHOST_IWindow *window = (GHOST_IWindow *)windowhandle;
-  STR_String title;
+  std::string title = window->getTitle();
 
-  window->getTitle(title);
-
-  char *ctitle = (char *)malloc(title.Length() + 1);
+  char *ctitle = (char *)malloc(title.size() + 1);
 
   if (ctitle == NULL) {
     return NULL;
   }
 
-  strcpy(ctitle, title.Ptr());
+  strcpy(ctitle, title.c_str());
 
   return ctitle;
 }
diff --git a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_EventKey.h b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_EventKey.h
index 24e20b20659..8f59c555914 100644
--- a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_EventKey.h
+++ b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_EventKey.h
@@ -25,6 +25,8 @@
 #ifndef __GHOST_EVENTKEY_H__
 #define __GHOST_EVENTKEY_H__
 
+#include <string.h>
+
 #include "GHOST_Event.h"
 
 /**
diff --git a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_EventPrinter.h b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_EventPrinter.h
index fad9ec3cc69..ead16525ec6 100644
--- a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_EventPrinter.h
+++ b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_EventPrinter.h
@@ -27,8 +27,6 @@
 
 #include "GHOST_IEventConsumer.h"
 
-#include "STR_String.h"
-
 /**
  * An Event consumer that prints all the events to standard out.
  * Really useful when debugging.
diff --git a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_NDOFManager.cpp b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_NDOFManager.cpp
index a9fbadab37a..dda78c0ac5b 100644
--- a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_NDOFManager.cpp
+++ b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_NDOFManager.cpp
@@ -19,6 +19,8 @@
 #include "GHOST_EventKey.h"
 #include "GHOST_EventNDOF.h"
 #include "GHOST_WindowManager.h"
+
+#include <limits.h>
 #include <math.h>
 #include <stdio.h>   // for error/info reporting
 #include <string.h>  // for memory functions
diff --git a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_System.cpp b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_System.cpp
index 85eb6d58679..23d790c9edf 100644
--- a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_System.cpp
+++ b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_System.cpp
@@ -367,7 +367,7 @@ GHOST_TSuccess GHOST_System::createFullScreenWindow(GHOST_Window **window,
   GHOST_ASSERT(m_displayManager,
                "GHOST_System::createFullScreenWindow(): invalid display manager");
   // GHOST_PRINT("GHOST_System::createFullScreenWindow(): creating full-screen window\n");
-  *window = (GHOST_Window *)createWindow(STR_String(""),
+  *window = (GHOST_Window *)createWindow("",
                                          0,
                                          0,
                                          settings.xPixels,
diff --git a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_SystemCocoa.h b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_SystemCocoa.h
index 1e44c3e31d4..d058697470a 100644
--- a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_SystemCocoa.h
+++ b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_SystemCocoa.h
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ class GHOST_SystemCocoa : public GHOST_System {
    * \param   parentWindow    Parent (embedder) window
    * \return  The new window (or 0 if creation failed).
    */
-  GHOST_IWindow *createWindow(const STR_String &title,
+  GHOST_IWindow *createWindow(const char *title,
                               GHOST_TInt32 left,
                               GHOST_TInt32 top,
                               GHOST_TUns32 width,
diff --git a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_SystemCocoa.mm b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_SystemCocoa.mm
index 3d6d187587c..2b6a2902757 100644
--- a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_SystemCocoa.mm
+++ b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_SystemCocoa.mm
@@ -698,7 +698,7 @@ void GHOST_SystemCocoa::getAllDisplayDimensions(GHOST_TUns32 &width, GHOST_TUns3
   getMainDisplayDimensions(width, height);
 }
 
-GHOST_IWindow *GHOST_SystemCocoa::createWindow(const STR_String &title,
+GHOST_IWindow *GHOST_SystemCocoa::createWindow(const char *title,
                                                GHOST_TInt32 left,
                                                GHOST_TInt32 top,
                                                GHOST_TUns32 width,
diff --git a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_SystemNULL.h b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_SystemNULL.h
index 68a726f2be8..186cb92d1aa 100644
--- a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_SystemNULL.h
+++ b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_SystemNULL.h
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ class GHOST_SystemNULL : public GHOST_System {
     return GHOST_kFailure;
   }
 
-  GHOST_IWindow *createWindow(const STR_String &title,
+  GHOST_IWindow *createWindow(const char *title,
                               GHOST_TInt32 left,
                               GHOST_TInt32 top,
                               GHOST_TUns32 width,
diff --git a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_SystemSDL.cpp b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_SystemSDL.cpp
index 97a75d7a0f5..b32ec4306e8 100644
--- a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_SystemSDL.cpp
+++ b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_SystemSDL.cpp
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ GHOST_SystemSDL::~GHOST_SystemSDL()
   SDL_Quit();
 }
 
-GHOST_IWindow *GHOST_SystemSDL::createWindow(const STR_String &title,
+GHOST_IWindow *GHOST_SystemSDL::createWindow(const char *title,
                                              GHOST_TInt32 left,
                                              GHOST_TInt32 top,
                                              GHOST_TUns32 width,
diff --git a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_SystemSDL.h b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_SystemSDL.h
index 1994781530b..8feec9de61d 100644
--- a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_SystemSDL.h
+++ b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_SystemSDL.h
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ class GHOST_SystemSDL : public GHOST_System {
  private:
   GHOST_TSuccess init();
 
-  GHOST_IWindow *createWindow(const STR_String &title,
+  GHOST_IWindow *createWindow(const char *title,
                               GHOST_TInt32 left,
                               GHOST_TInt32 top,
                               GHOST_TUns32 width,
diff --git a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_SystemWin32.cpp b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_SystemWin32.cpp
index fdd022e44ac..849aa5a96f5 100644
--- a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_SystemWin32.cpp
+++ b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_SystemWin32.cpp
@@ -282,7 +282,7 @@ void GHOST_SystemWin32::getAllDisplayDimensions(GHOST_TUns32 &width, GHOST_TUns3
   height = ::GetSystemMetrics(SM_CYVIRTUALSCREEN);
 }
 
-GHOST_IWindow *GHOST_SystemWin32::createWindow(const STR_String &title,
+GHOST_IWindow *GHOST_SystemWin32::createWindow(const char *title,
                                                GHOST_TInt32 left,
                                                GHOST_TInt32 top,
                                                GHOST_TUns32 width,
diff --git a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_SystemWin32.h b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_SystemWin32.h
index c6d810d2a38..b23f907608c 100644
--- a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_SystemWin32.h
+++ b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_SystemWin32.h
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ class GHOST_SystemWin32 : public GHOST_System {
    * \param   parentWindow    Parent window
    * \return  The new window (or 0 if creation failed).
    */
-  GHOST_IWindow *createWindow(const STR_String &title,
+  GHOST_IWindow *createWindow(const char *title,
                               GHOST_TInt32 left,
                               GHOST_TInt32 top,
                               GHOST_TUns32 width,
diff --git a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_SystemX11.cpp b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_SystemX11.cpp
index 825b93de36f..c61a06b6b42 100644
--- a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_SystemX11.cpp
+++ b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_SystemX11.cpp
@@ -338,7 +338,7 @@ void GHOST_SystemX11::getAllDisplayDimensions(GHOST_TUns32 &width, GHOST_TUns32
  * \param   parentWindow    Parent window
  * \return  The new window (or 0 if creation failed).
  */
-GHOST_IWindow *GHOST_SystemX11::createWindow(const STR_String &title,
+GHOST_IWindow *GHOST_SystemX11::createWindow(const char *title,
                                              GHOST_TInt32 left,
                                              GHOST_TInt32 top,
                                              GHOST_TUns32 width,
diff --git a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_SystemX11.h b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_SystemX11.h
index d0e0506e77b..bb01ef7e0cc 100644
--- a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_SystemX11.h
+++ b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_SystemX11.h
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ class GHOST_SystemX11 : public GHOST_System {
    * \param   parentWindow    Parent (embedder) window
    * \return  The new window (or 0 if creation failed).
    */
-  GHOST_IWindow *createWindow(const STR_String &title,
+  GHOST_IWindow *createWindow(const char *title,
                               GHOST_TInt32 left,
                               GHOST_TInt32 top,
                               GHOST_TUns32 width,
diff --git a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_Window.h b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_Window.h
index 553a7d89df4..472149148e6 100644
--- a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_Window.h
+++ b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_Window.h
@@ -27,7 +27,6 @@
 
 #include "GHOST_IWindow.h"
 
-class STR_String;
 class GHOST_Context;
 
 /**
@@ -61,8 +60,8 @@ class GHOST_Window : public GHOST_IWindow {
    * \section Interface inherited from GHOST_IWindow left for derived class
    * implementation.
    * virtual  bool getValid() const = 0;
-   * virtual void setTitle(const STR_String& title) = 0;
-   * virtual void getTitle(STR_String& title) const = 0;
+   * virtual void setTitle(const char * title) = 0;
+   * virtual std::string getTitle() const = 0;
    * virtual  void getWindowBounds(GHOST_Rect& bounds) const = 0;
    * virtual  void getClientBounds(GHOST_Rect& bounds) const = 0;
    * virtual  GHOST_TSuccess setClientWidth(GHOST_TUns32 width) = 0;
diff --git a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_WindowCocoa.h b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_WindowCocoa.h
index efa418deee2..15429eab5db 100644
--- a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_WindowCocoa.h
+++ b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_WindowCocoa.h
@@ -30,7 +30,6 @@
 #endif  // __APPLE__
 
 #include "GHOST_Window.h"
-#include "STR_String.h"
 
 @class CAMetalLayer;
 @class CocoaMetalView;
@@ -58,7 +57,7 @@ class GHOST_WindowCocoa : public GHOST_Window {
    * \param stereoVisual      Stereo visual for quad buffered stereo.
    */
   GHOST_WindowCocoa(GHOST_SystemCocoa *systemCocoa,
-                    const STR_String &title,
+                    const char *title,
                     GHOST_TInt32 left,
                     GHOST_TInt32 bottom,
                     GHOST_TUns32 width,
@@ -92,13 +91,12 @@ class GHOST_WindowCocoa : public GHOST_Window {
    * Sets the title displayed in the title bar.
    * \param title The title to display in the title bar.
    */
-  void setTitle(const STR_String &title);
-
+  void setTitle(const char *title);
   /**
    * Returns the title displayed in the title bar.
    * \param title The title displayed in the title bar.
    */
-  void getTitle(STR_String &title) const;
+  std::string getTitle() const;
 
   /**
    * Returns the window rectangle dimensions.
diff --git a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_WindowCocoa.mm b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_WindowCocoa.mm
index 10ab05a0de1..05adc41cb8e 100644
--- a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_WindowCocoa.mm
+++ b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_WindowCocoa.mm
@@ -291,7 +291,7 @@
 /* clang-format on */
 
 GHOST_WindowCocoa::GHOST_WindowCocoa(GHOST_SystemCocoa *systemCocoa,
-                                     const STR_String &title,
+                                     const char *title,
                                      GHOST_TInt32 left,
                                      GHOST_TInt32 bottom,
                                      GHOST_TUns32 width,
@@ -482,7 +482,7 @@ void *GHOST_WindowCocoa::getOSWindow() const
   return (void *)m_window;
 }
 
-void GHOST_WindowCocoa::setTitle(const STR_String &title)
+void GHOST_WindowCocoa::setTitle(const char *title)
 {
   GHOST_ASSERT(getValid(), "GHOST_WindowCocoa::setTitle(): window invalid");
   NSAutoreleasePool *pool = [[NSAutoreleasePool alloc] init];
@@ -524,7 +524,7 @@ void GHOST_WindowCocoa::setTitle(const STR_String &title)
   [pool drain];
 }
 
-void GHOST_WindowCocoa::getTitle(STR_String &title) const
+std::string GHOST_WindowCocoa::getTitle() const
 {
   GHOST_ASSERT(getValid(), "GHOST_WindowCocoa::getTitle(): window invalid");
 
@@ -532,11 +532,14 @@ void GHOST_WindowCocoa::getTitle(STR_String &title) const
 
   NSString *windowTitle = [m_window title];
 
+  std::string title;
   if (windowTitle != nil) {
     title = [windowTitle UTF8String];
   }
 
   [pool drain];
+
+  return title;
 }
 
 void GHOST_WindowCocoa::getWindowBounds(GHOST_Rect &bounds) const
diff --git a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_WindowNULL.h b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_WindowNULL.h
index db40075e6ca..e1aa0cb7f13 100644
--- a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_WindowNULL.h
+++ b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_WindowNULL.h
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@
 
 #include <map>
 
-class STR_String;
 class GHOST_SystemNULL;
 
 class GHOST_WindowNULL : public GHOST_Window {
@@ -37,7 +36,7 @@ class GHOST_WindowNULL : public GHOST_Window {
   }
 
   GHOST_WindowNULL(GHOST_SystemNULL *system,
-                   const STR_String &title,
+                   const char *title,
                    GHOST_TInt32 left,
                    GHOST_TInt32 top,
                    GHOST_TUns32 width,
@@ -83,12 +82,12 @@ class GHOST_WindowNULL : public GHOST_Window {
   {
     return true;
   }
-  void setTitle(const STR_String &title)
+  void setTitle(const char *title)
   { /* nothing */
   }
-  void getTitle(STR_String &title) const
+  std::string getTitle() const
   {
-    title = "untitled";
+    return "untitled";
   }
   void getWindowBounds(GHOST_Rect &bounds) const
   {
diff --git a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_WindowSDL.cpp b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_WindowSDL.cpp
index e8d129f45fe..dcb1ab8c78c 100644
--- a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_WindowSDL.cpp
+++ b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_WindowSDL.cpp
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@
 #include <assert.h>
 
 GHOST_WindowSDL::GHOST_WindowSDL(GHOST_SystemSDL *system,
-                                 const STR_String &title,
+                                 const char *title,
                                  GHOST_TInt32 left,
                                  GHOST_TInt32 top,
                                  GHOST_TUns32 width,
@@ -148,14 +148,14 @@ bool GHOST_WindowSDL::getValid() const
   return GHOST_Window::getValid() && m_valid_setup;
 }
 
-void GHOST_WindowSDL::setTitle(const STR_String &title)
+void GHOST_WindowSDL::setTitle(const char *title)
 {
-  SDL_SetWindowTitle(m_sdl_win, title.ReadPtr());
+  SDL_SetWindowTitle(m_sdl_win, title);
 }
 
-void GHOST_WindowSDL::getTitle(STR_String &title) const
+std::string GHOST_WindowSDL::getTitle() const
 {
-  title = SDL_GetWindowTitle(m_sdl_win);
+  return SDL_GetWindowTitle(m_sdl_win);
 }
 
 void GHOST_WindowSDL::getWindowBounds(GHOST_Rect &bounds) const
diff --git a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_WindowSDL.h b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_WindowSDL.h
index eadd1b7df9d..5039c742c9d 100644
--- a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_WindowSDL.h
+++ b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_WindowSDL.h
@@ -35,7 +35,6 @@ extern "C" {
 #  error "SDL 2.0 or newer is needed to build with Ghost"
 #endif
 
-class STR_String;
 class GHOST_SystemSDL;
 
 class GHOST_WindowSDL : public GHOST_Window {
@@ -49,7 +48,7 @@ class GHOST_WindowSDL : public GHOST_Window {
 
  public:
   GHOST_WindowSDL(GHOST_SystemSDL *system,
-                  const STR_String &title,
+                  const char *title,
                   GHOST_TInt32 left,
                   GHOST_TInt32 top,
                   GHOST_TUns32 width,
@@ -107,9 +106,9 @@ class GHOST_WindowSDL : public GHOST_Window {
 
   GHOST_TSuccess setWindowCursorVisibility(bool visible);
 
-  void setTitle(const STR_String &title);
+  void setTitle(const char *title);
 
-  void getTitle(STR_String &title) const;
+  std::string getTitle() const;
 
   GHOST_TSuccess setClientWidth(GHOST_TUns32 width);
 
diff --git a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_WindowWin32.cpp b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_WindowWin32.cpp
index 8b95cdd6351..55525157753 100644
--- a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_WindowWin32.cpp
+++ b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_WindowWin32.cpp
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ __declspec(dllexport) DWORD NvOptimusEnablement = 0x00000001;
 }
 
 GHOST_WindowWin32::GHOST_WindowWin32(GHOST_SystemWin32 *system,
-                                     const STR_String &title,
+                                     const char *title,
                                      GHOST_TInt32 left,
                                      GHOST_TInt32 top,
                                      GHOST_TUns32 width,
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ GHOST_WindowWin32::GHOST_WindowWin32(GHOST_SystemWin32 *system,
       height = rect.bottom - rect.top;
     }
 
-    wchar_t *title_16 = alloc_utf16_from_8((char *)(const char *)title, 0);
+    wchar_t *title_16 = alloc_utf16_from_8((char *)title, 0);
     m_hWnd = ::CreateWindowW(s_windowClassName,                // pointer to registered class name
                              title_16,                         // pointer to window name
                              wintype,                          // window style
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ GHOST_WindowWin32::GHOST_WindowWin32(GHOST_SystemWin32 *system,
     free(title_16);
   }
   else {
-    wchar_t *title_16 = alloc_utf16_from_8((char *)(const char *)title, 0);
+    wchar_t *title_16 = alloc_utf16_from_8((char *)title, 0);
     m_hWnd = ::CreateWindowW(s_windowClassName,     // pointer to registered class name
                              title_16,              // pointer to window name
                              WS_MAXIMIZE,           // window style
@@ -430,19 +430,18 @@ HWND GHOST_WindowWin32::getHWND() const
   return m_hWnd;
 }
 
-void GHOST_WindowWin32::setTitle(const STR_String &title)
+void GHOST_WindowWin32::setTitle(const char *title)
 {
-  wchar_t *title_16 = alloc_utf16_from_8((char *)(const char *)title, 0);
+  wchar_t *title_16 = alloc_utf16_from_8((char *)title, 0);
   ::SetWindowTextW(m_hWnd, (wchar_t *)title_16);
   free(title_16);
 }
 
-void GHOST_WindowWin32::getTitle(STR_String &title) const
+std::string GHOST_WindowWin32::getTitle() const
 {
   char buf[s_maxTitleLength]; /*CHANGE + never used yet*/
   ::GetWindowText(m_hWnd, buf, s_maxTitleLength);
-  STR_String temp(buf);
-  title = buf;
+  return std::string(buf);
 }
 
 void GHOST_WindowWin32::getWindowBounds(GHOST_Rect &bounds) const
diff --git a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_WindowWin32.h b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_WindowWin32.h
index 8c43eca0dc2..48c449b260c 100644
--- a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_WindowWin32.h
+++ b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_WindowWin32.h
@@ -259,7 +259,7 @@ class GHOST_WindowWin32 : public GHOST_Window {
    * \param parentWindowHwnd
    */
   GHOST_WindowWin32(GHOST_SystemWin32 *system,
-                    const STR_String &title,
+                    const char *title,
                     GHOST_TInt32 left,
                     GHOST_TInt32 top,
                     GHOST_TUns32 width,
@@ -294,13 +294,13 @@ class GHOST_WindowWin32 : public GHOST_Window {
    * Sets the title displayed in the title bar.
    * \param title The title to display in the title bar.
    */
-  void setTitle(const STR_String &title);
+  void setTitle(const char *title);
 
   /**
    * Returns the title displayed in the title bar.
-   * \param title The title displayed in the title bar.
+   * \return The title displayed in the title bar.
    */
-  void getTitle(STR_String &title) const;
+  std::string getTitle() const;
 
   /**
    * Returns the window rectangle dimensions.
diff --git a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_WindowX11.cpp b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_WindowX11.cpp
index db9f6846b11..691f1790a2d 100644
--- a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_WindowX11.cpp
+++ b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_WindowX11.cpp
@@ -33,7 +33,6 @@
 #include "GHOST_IconX11.h"
 #include "GHOST_SystemX11.h"
 #include "GHOST_WindowX11.h"
-#include "STR_String.h"
 
 #ifdef WITH_XDND
 #  include "GHOST_DropTargetX11.h"
@@ -61,6 +60,7 @@
 #include <unistd.h>
 
 #include <algorithm>
+#include <limits.h>
 #include <math.h>
 #include <string>
 
@@ -212,7 +212,7 @@ static XVisualInfo *x11_visualinfo_from_glx(Display *display,
 
 GHOST_WindowX11::GHOST_WindowX11(GHOST_SystemX11 *system,
                                  Display *display,
-                                 const STR_String &title,
+                                 const char *title,
                                  GHOST_TInt32 left,
                                  GHOST_TInt32 top,
                                  GHOST_TUns32 width,
@@ -414,9 +414,9 @@ GHOST_WindowX11::GHOST_WindowX11(GHOST_SystemX11 *system,
   /* XClassHint, title */
   {
     XClassHint *xclasshint = XAllocClassHint();
-    const int len = title.Length() + 1;
+    const int len = strlen(title) + 1;
     char *wmclass = (char *)malloc(sizeof(char) * len);
-    memcpy(wmclass, title.ReadPtr(), len * sizeof(char));
+    memcpy(wmclass, title, len * sizeof(char));
     xclasshint->res_name = wmclass;
     xclasshint->res_class = wmclass;
     XSetClassHint(m_display, m_window, xclasshint);
@@ -617,7 +617,7 @@ bool GHOST_WindowX11::getValid() const
   return GHOST_Window::getValid() && m_valid_setup;
 }
 
-void GHOST_WindowX11::setTitle(const STR_String &title)
+void GHOST_WindowX11::setTitle(const char *title)
 {
   Atom name = XInternAtom(m_display, "_NET_WM_NAME", 0);
   Atom utf8str = XInternAtom(m_display, "UTF8_STRING", 0);
@@ -627,8 +627,8 @@ void GHOST_WindowX11::setTitle(const STR_String &title)
                   utf8str,
                   8,
                   PropModeReplace,
-                  (const unsigned char *)title.ReadPtr(),
-                  title.Length());
+                  (const unsigned char *)title,
+                  strlen(title));
 
   /* This should convert to valid x11 string
    * and getTitle would need matching change */
@@ -637,13 +637,14 @@ void GHOST_WindowX11::setTitle(const STR_String &title)
   XFlush(m_display);
 }
 
-void GHOST_WindowX11::getTitle(STR_String &title) const
+std::string GHOST_WindowX11::getTitle() const
 {
   char *name = NULL;
 
   XFetchName(m_display, m_window, &name);
-  title = name ? name : "untitled";
+  std::string title = name ? name : "untitled";
   XFree(name);
+  return title;
 }
 
 void GHOST_WindowX11::getWindowBounds(GHOST_Rect &bounds) const
diff --git a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_WindowX11.h b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_WindowX11.h
index 4704cb45e58..4232ff40b52 100644
--- a/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_WindowX11.h
+++ b/intern/ghost/intern/GHOST_WindowX11.h
@@ -37,7 +37,6 @@
 
 #include <map>
 
-class STR_String;
 class GHOST_SystemX11;
 
 #ifdef WITH_XDND
@@ -69,7 +68,7 @@ class GHOST_WindowX11 : public GHOST_Window {
    */
   GHOST_WindowX11(GHOST_SystemX11 *system,
                   Display *display,
-                  const STR_String &title,
+                  const char *title,
                   GHOST_TInt32 left,
                   GHOST_TInt32 top,
                   GHOST_TUns32 width,
@@ -85,9 +84,9 @@ class GHOST_WindowX11 : public GHOST_Window {
 
   bool getValid() const;
 
-  void setTitle(const STR_String &title);
+  void setTitle(const char *title);
 
-  void getTitle(STR_String &title) const;
+  std::string getTitle() const;
 
   void getWindowBounds(GHOST_Rect &bounds) const;
 
diff --git a/intern/ghost/test/gears/GHOST_Test.cpp b/intern/ghost/test/gears/GHOST_Test.cpp
index a554bfeebef..c9c497aacb4 100644
--- a/intern/ghost/test/gears/GHOST_Test.cpp
+++ b/intern/ghost/test/gears/GHOST_Test.cpp
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@
 
 #include <iostream>
 #include <math.h>
+#include <string>
 
 #if defined(WIN32) || defined(__APPLE__)
 #  ifdef WIN32
@@ -43,7 +44,6 @@
 #endif  // defined(WIN32) || defined(__APPLE__)
 
 #include "GHOST_Rect.h"
-#include "STR_String.h"
 
 #include "GHOST_IEvent.h"
 #include "GHOST_IEventConsumer.h"
@@ -427,8 +427,7 @@ Application::Application(GHOST_ISystem *system)
   fApp = this;
 
   // Create the main window
-  STR_String title1("gears - main window");
-  m_mainWindow = system->createWindow(title1,
+  m_mainWindow = system->createWindow("gears - main window",
                                       10,
                                       64,
                                       320,
@@ -443,8 +442,7 @@ Application::Application(GHOST_ISystem *system)
   }
 
   // Create a secondary window
-  STR_String title2("gears - secondary window");
-  m_secondaryWindow = system->createWindow(title2,
+  m_secondaryWindow = system->createWindow("gears - secondary window",
                                            340,
                                            64,
                                            320,
@@ -598,8 +596,7 @@ bool Application::processEvent(GHOST_IEvent *event)
 
         case GHOST_kKeyW:
           if (m_mainWindow) {
-            STR_String title;
-            m_mainWindow->getTitle(title);
+            std::string title = m_mainWindow->getTitle();
             title += "-";
             m_mainWindow->setTitle(title);
           }