diff --git a/src/common/config.cpp b/src/common/config.cpp
index a5ef95bb..4fb2818e 100644
--- a/src/common/config.cpp
+++ b/src/common/config.cpp
@@ -4,9 +4,25 @@
 #include <fstream>
 #include <string>
 #include <fmt/core.h>
+#include <fmt/xchar.h> // for wstring support
 #include <toml.hpp>
+#include "common/logging/formatter.h"
 #include "config.h"
 
+namespace toml {
+template <typename TC, typename K>
+std::filesystem::path find_fs_path_or(const basic_value<TC>& v, const K& ky,
+                                      std::filesystem::path opt) {
+    try {
+        auto str = find<std::string>(v, ky);
+        std::u8string u8str{(char8_t*)&str.front(), (char8_t*)&str.back() + 1};
+        return std::filesystem::path{u8str};
+    } catch (...) {
+        return opt;
+    }
+}
+} // namespace toml
+
 namespace Config {
 
 static bool isNeo = false;
@@ -37,7 +53,7 @@ static bool vkMarkers = false;
 static bool vkCrashDiagnostic = false;
 
 // Gui
-std::string settings_install_dir = "";
+std::filesystem::path settings_install_dir = {};
 u32 main_window_geometry_x = 400;
 u32 main_window_geometry_y = 400;
 u32 main_window_geometry_w = 1280;
@@ -267,7 +283,7 @@ void setMainWindowGeometry(u32 x, u32 y, u32 w, u32 h) {
     main_window_geometry_w = w;
     main_window_geometry_h = h;
 }
-void setGameInstallDir(const std::string& dir) {
+void setGameInstallDir(const std::filesystem::path& dir) {
     settings_install_dir = dir;
 }
 void setMainWindowTheme(u32 theme) {
@@ -323,7 +339,7 @@ u32 getMainWindowGeometryW() {
 u32 getMainWindowGeometryH() {
     return main_window_geometry_h;
 }
-std::string getGameInstallDir() {
+std::filesystem::path getGameInstallDir() {
     return settings_install_dir;
 }
 u32 getMainWindowTheme() {
@@ -378,7 +394,10 @@ void load(const std::filesystem::path& path) {
     toml::value data;
 
     try {
-        data = toml::parse(path);
+        std::ifstream ifs;
+        ifs.exceptions(std::ifstream::failbit | std::ifstream::badbit);
+        ifs.open(path, std::ios_base::binary);
+        data = toml::parse(ifs, std::string{fmt::UTF(path.filename().u8string()).data});
     } catch (std::exception& ex) {
         fmt::print("Got exception trying to load config file. Exception: {}\n", ex.what());
         return;
@@ -444,7 +463,7 @@ void load(const std::filesystem::path& path) {
         mw_themes = toml::find_or<int>(gui, "theme", 0);
         m_window_size_W = toml::find_or<int>(gui, "mw_width", 0);
         m_window_size_H = toml::find_or<int>(gui, "mw_height", 0);
-        settings_install_dir = toml::find_or<std::string>(gui, "installDir", "");
+        settings_install_dir = toml::find_fs_path_or(gui, "installDir", {});
         main_window_geometry_x = toml::find_or<int>(gui, "geometry_x", 0);
         main_window_geometry_y = toml::find_or<int>(gui, "geometry_y", 0);
         main_window_geometry_w = toml::find_or<int>(gui, "geometry_w", 0);
@@ -468,17 +487,19 @@ void save(const std::filesystem::path& path) {
     std::error_code error;
     if (std::filesystem::exists(path, error)) {
         try {
-            data = toml::parse(path);
+            std::ifstream ifs;
+            ifs.exceptions(std::ifstream::failbit | std::ifstream::badbit);
+            ifs.open(path, std::ios_base::binary);
+            data = toml::parse(ifs, std::string{fmt::UTF(path.filename().u8string()).data});
         } catch (const std::exception& ex) {
             fmt::print("Exception trying to parse config file. Exception: {}\n", ex.what());
             return;
         }
     } else {
         if (error) {
-            fmt::print("Filesystem error accessing {} (error: {})\n", path.string(),
-                       error.message().c_str());
+            fmt::print("Filesystem error: {}\n", error.message());
         }
-        fmt::print("Saving new configuration file {}\n", path.string());
+        fmt::print("Saving new configuration file {}\n", fmt::UTF(path.u8string()));
     }
 
     data["General"]["isPS4Pro"] = isNeo;
@@ -515,7 +536,7 @@ void save(const std::filesystem::path& path) {
     data["GUI"]["gameTableMode"] = m_table_mode;
     data["GUI"]["mw_width"] = m_window_size_W;
     data["GUI"]["mw_height"] = m_window_size_H;
-    data["GUI"]["installDir"] = settings_install_dir;
+    data["GUI"]["installDir"] = std::string{fmt::UTF(settings_install_dir.u8string()).data};
     data["GUI"]["geometry_x"] = main_window_geometry_x;
     data["GUI"]["geometry_y"] = main_window_geometry_y;
     data["GUI"]["geometry_w"] = main_window_geometry_w;
diff --git a/src/common/config.h b/src/common/config.h
index ef71d5f0..f2b5187f 100644
--- a/src/common/config.h
+++ b/src/common/config.h
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ bool vkCrashDiagnosticEnabled();
 
 // Gui
 void setMainWindowGeometry(u32 x, u32 y, u32 w, u32 h);
-void setGameInstallDir(const std::string& dir);
+void setGameInstallDir(const std::filesystem::path& dir);
 void setMainWindowTheme(u32 theme);
 void setIconSize(u32 size);
 void setIconSizeGrid(u32 size);
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ u32 getMainWindowGeometryX();
 u32 getMainWindowGeometryY();
 u32 getMainWindowGeometryW();
 u32 getMainWindowGeometryH();
-std::string getGameInstallDir();
+std::filesystem::path getGameInstallDir();
 u32 getMainWindowTheme();
 u32 getIconSize();
 u32 getIconSizeGrid();
diff --git a/src/common/logging/formatter.h b/src/common/logging/formatter.h
index f80905cc..79df33e4 100644
--- a/src/common/logging/formatter.h
+++ b/src/common/logging/formatter.h
@@ -19,3 +19,24 @@ struct fmt::formatter<T, std::enable_if_t<std::is_enum_v<T>, char>>
     }
 };
 #endif
+
+namespace fmt {
+template <typename T = std::string_view>
+struct UTF {
+    T data;
+
+    explicit UTF(const std::u8string_view view) {
+        data = T{(const char*)&view.front(), (const char*)&view.back() + 1};
+    }
+
+    explicit UTF(const std::u8string& str) : UTF(std::u8string_view{str}) {}
+};
+} // namespace fmt
+
+template <>
+struct fmt::formatter<fmt::UTF<std::string_view>, char> : formatter<std::string_view> {
+    template <typename FormatContext>
+    auto format(const UTF<std::string_view>& wrapper, FormatContext& ctx) const {
+        return formatter<std::string_view>::format(wrapper.data, ctx);
+    }
+};
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/common/memory_patcher.cpp b/src/common/memory_patcher.cpp
index 85a25167..d2930cf5 100644
--- a/src/common/memory_patcher.cpp
+++ b/src/common/memory_patcher.cpp
@@ -119,9 +119,9 @@ std::string convertValueToHex(const std::string type, const std::string valueStr
 void OnGameLoaded() {
 
     if (!patchFile.empty()) {
-        std::string patchDir = Common::FS::GetUserPath(Common::FS::PathType::PatchesDir).string();
+        std::filesystem::path patchDir = Common::FS::GetUserPath(Common::FS::PathType::PatchesDir);
 
-        std::string filePath = patchDir + "/" + patchFile;
+        auto filePath = (patchDir / patchFile).native();
 
         pugi::xml_document doc;
         pugi::xml_parse_result result = doc.load_file(filePath.c_str());
@@ -187,8 +187,8 @@ void OnGameLoaded() {
 
 #ifdef ENABLE_QT_GUI
     // We use the QT headers for the xml and json parsing, this define is only true on QT builds
-    QString patchDir =
-        QString::fromStdString(Common::FS::GetUserPath(Common::FS::PathType::PatchesDir).string());
+    QString patchDir;
+    Common::FS::PathToQString(patchDir, Common::FS::GetUserPath(Common::FS::PathType::PatchesDir));
     QString repositories[] = {"GoldHEN", "shadPS4"};
 
     for (const QString& repository : repositories) {
diff --git a/src/common/path_util.cpp b/src/common/path_util.cpp
index cce12ebc..d7274fc7 100644
--- a/src/common/path_util.cpp
+++ b/src/common/path_util.cpp
@@ -22,6 +22,10 @@
 #endif
 #endif
 
+#ifdef ENABLE_QT_GUI
+#include <QString>
+#endif
+
 namespace Common::FS {
 
 namespace fs = std::filesystem;
@@ -165,4 +169,22 @@ void SetUserPath(PathType shad_path, const fs::path& new_path) {
     UserPaths.insert_or_assign(shad_path, new_path);
 }
 
+#ifdef ENABLE_QT_GUI
+void PathToQString(QString& result, const std::filesystem::path& path) {
+#ifdef _WIN32
+    result = QString::fromStdWString(path.wstring());
+#else
+    result = QString::fromStdString(path.string());
+#endif
+}
+
+std::filesystem::path PathFromQString(const QString& path) {
+#ifdef _WIN32
+    return std::filesystem::path(path.toStdWString());
+#else
+    return std::filesystem::path(path.toStdString());
+#endif
+}
+#endif
+
 } // namespace Common::FS
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/common/path_util.h b/src/common/path_util.h
index 623b285e..d40f4aab 100644
--- a/src/common/path_util.h
+++ b/src/common/path_util.h
@@ -6,6 +6,10 @@
 #include <filesystem>
 #include <vector>
 
+#ifdef ENABLE_QT_GUI
+class QString; // to avoid including <QString> in this header
+#endif
+
 namespace Common::FS {
 
 enum class PathType {
@@ -96,4 +100,23 @@ constexpr auto LOG_FILE = "shad_log.txt";
  */
 void SetUserPath(PathType user_path, const std::filesystem::path& new_path);
 
+#ifdef ENABLE_QT_GUI
+/**
+ * Converts an std::filesystem::path to a QString.
+ * The native underlying string of a path is wstring on Windows and string on POSIX.
+ *
+ * @param result The resulting QString
+ * @param path The path to convert
+ */
+void PathToQString(QString& result, const std::filesystem::path& path);
+
+/**
+ * Converts a QString to an std::filesystem::path.
+ * The native underlying string of a path is wstring on Windows and string on POSIX.
+ *
+ * @param path The path to convert
+ */
+[[nodiscard]] std::filesystem::path PathFromQString(const QString& path);
+#endif
+
 } // namespace Common::FS
diff --git a/src/core/file_format/pkg.cpp b/src/core/file_format/pkg.cpp
index d86f3b28..f329e81a 100644
--- a/src/core/file_format/pkg.cpp
+++ b/src/core/file_format/pkg.cpp
@@ -371,8 +371,7 @@ bool PKG::Extract(const std::filesystem::path& filepath, const std::filesystem::
                 if (table.type == PFS_CURRENT_DIR) {
                     current_dir = extractPaths[table.inode];
                 }
-                extractPaths[table.inode] =
-                    current_dir.string() / std::filesystem::path(table.name);
+                extractPaths[table.inode] = current_dir / std::filesystem::path(table.name);
 
                 if (table.type == PFS_FILE || table.type == PFS_DIR) {
                     if (table.type == PFS_DIR) { // Create dirs.
@@ -402,7 +401,7 @@ void PKG::ExtractFiles(const int index) {
         int bsize = iNodeBuf[inode_number].Size;
 
         Common::FS::IOFile inflated;
-        inflated.Open(extractPaths[inode_number].string(), Common::FS::FileAccessMode::Write);
+        inflated.Open(extractPaths[inode_number], Common::FS::FileAccessMode::Write);
 
         Common::FS::IOFile pkgFile; // Open the file for each iteration to avoid conflict.
         pkgFile.Open(pkgpath, Common::FS::FileAccessMode::Read);
diff --git a/src/core/file_format/splash.cpp b/src/core/file_format/splash.cpp
index f41789a8..5e06c912 100644
--- a/src/core/file_format/splash.cpp
+++ b/src/core/file_format/splash.cpp
@@ -12,8 +12,8 @@
 #define STBI_NO_STDIO
 #include "externals/stb_image.h"
 
-bool Splash::Open(const std::string& filepath) {
-    ASSERT_MSG(filepath.ends_with(".png"), "Unexpected file format passed");
+bool Splash::Open(const std::filesystem::path& filepath) {
+    ASSERT_MSG(filepath.stem().string() != "png", "Unexpected file format passed");
 
     Common::FS::IOFile file(filepath, Common::FS::FileAccessMode::Read);
     if (!file.IsOpen()) {
diff --git a/src/core/file_format/splash.h b/src/core/file_format/splash.h
index 68cc33c4..7c563f31 100644
--- a/src/core/file_format/splash.h
+++ b/src/core/file_format/splash.h
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 
 #pragma once
 
+#include <filesystem>
 #include <string>
 #include <vector>
 #include "common/types.h"
@@ -22,7 +23,7 @@ public:
     Splash() = default;
     ~Splash() = default;
 
-    bool Open(const std::string& filepath);
+    bool Open(const std::filesystem::path& filepath);
     [[nodiscard]] bool IsLoaded() const {
         return img_data.size();
     }
diff --git a/src/core/file_format/trp.cpp b/src/core/file_format/trp.cpp
index 86865fe6..724f9078 100644
--- a/src/core/file_format/trp.cpp
+++ b/src/core/file_format/trp.cpp
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ static void removePadding(std::vector<u8>& vec) {
 }
 
 bool TRP::Extract(const std::filesystem::path& trophyPath) {
-    std::string title = trophyPath.filename().string();
+    std::filesystem::path title = trophyPath.filename();
     std::filesystem::path gameSysDir = trophyPath / "sce_sys/trophy/";
     if (!std::filesystem::exists(gameSysDir)) {
         return false;
diff --git a/src/core/libraries/np_trophy/np_trophy.cpp b/src/core/libraries/np_trophy/np_trophy.cpp
index c28e49da..91fdeb99 100644
--- a/src/core/libraries/np_trophy/np_trophy.cpp
+++ b/src/core/libraries/np_trophy/np_trophy.cpp
@@ -557,10 +557,10 @@ s32 PS4_SYSV_ABI sceNpTrophyGetTrophyUnlockState(OrbisNpTrophyContext context,
 
     const auto trophyDir =
         Common::FS::GetUserPath(Common::FS::PathType::MetaDataDir) / game_serial / "TrophyFiles";
+    auto trophy_file = trophyDir / "trophy00" / "Xml" / "TROP.XML";
 
     pugi::xml_document doc;
-    pugi::xml_parse_result result =
-        doc.load_file((trophyDir.string() + "/trophy00/Xml/TROP.XML").c_str());
+    pugi::xml_parse_result result = doc.load_file(trophy_file.native().c_str());
 
     int numTrophies = 0;
 
diff --git a/src/core/libraries/save_data/save_backup.cpp b/src/core/libraries/save_data/save_backup.cpp
index d8281fab..1d935aee 100644
--- a/src/core/libraries/save_data/save_backup.cpp
+++ b/src/core/libraries/save_data/save_backup.cpp
@@ -107,14 +107,16 @@ static void BackupThreadBody() {
         }
         g_backup_status = WorkerStatus::Running;
 
-        LOG_INFO(Lib_SaveData, "Backing up the following directory: {}", req.save_path.string());
+        LOG_INFO(Lib_SaveData, "Backing up the following directory: {}",
+                 fmt::UTF(req.save_path.u8string()));
         try {
             backup(req.save_path);
         } catch (const std::filesystem::filesystem_error& err) {
-            LOG_ERROR(Lib_SaveData, "Failed to backup {}: {}", req.save_path.string(), err.what());
+            LOG_ERROR(Lib_SaveData, "Failed to backup {}: {}", fmt::UTF(req.save_path.u8string()),
+                      err.what());
         }
         LOG_DEBUG(Lib_SaveData, "Backing up the following directory: {} finished",
-                  req.save_path.string());
+                  fmt::UTF(req.save_path.u8string()));
         {
             std::scoped_lock lk{g_backup_queue_mutex};
             g_backup_queue.front().done = true;
@@ -160,7 +162,7 @@ bool NewRequest(OrbisUserServiceUserId user_id, std::string_view title_id,
 
     if (g_backup_status != WorkerStatus::Waiting && g_backup_status != WorkerStatus::Running) {
         LOG_ERROR(Lib_SaveData, "Called backup while status is {}. Backup request to {} ignored",
-                  magic_enum::enum_name(g_backup_status.load()), save_path.string());
+                  magic_enum::enum_name(g_backup_status.load()), fmt::UTF(save_path.u8string()));
         return false;
     }
     {
@@ -184,7 +186,7 @@ bool NewRequest(OrbisUserServiceUserId user_id, std::string_view title_id,
 }
 
 bool Restore(const std::filesystem::path& save_path) {
-    LOG_INFO(Lib_SaveData, "Restoring backup for {}", save_path.string());
+    LOG_INFO(Lib_SaveData, "Restoring backup for {}", fmt::UTF(save_path.u8string()));
     std::unique_lock lk{g_backup_running_mutex};
     if (!fs::exists(save_path) || !fs::exists(save_path / backup_dir)) {
         return false;
diff --git a/src/core/libraries/save_data/save_memory.cpp b/src/core/libraries/save_data/save_memory.cpp
index d7ef5803..0a714a26 100644
--- a/src/core/libraries/save_data/save_memory.cpp
+++ b/src/core/libraries/save_data/save_memory.cpp
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ static void SaveFileSafe(void* buf, size_t count, const std::filesystem::path& p
         g_saving_memory = true;
         std::scoped_lock lk{g_saving_memory_mutex};
         try {
-            LOG_DEBUG(Lib_SaveData, "Saving save data memory {}", g_save_path.string());
+            LOG_DEBUG(Lib_SaveData, "Saving save data memory {}", fmt::UTF(g_save_path.u8string()));
 
             if (g_memory_dirty) {
                 g_memory_dirty = false;
@@ -163,7 +163,8 @@ size_t CreateSaveMemory(size_t memory_size) {
 
         bool ok = g_param_sfo.Open(g_param_sfo_path);
         if (!ok) {
-            LOG_ERROR(Lib_SaveData, "Failed to open SFO at {}", g_param_sfo_path.string());
+            LOG_ERROR(Lib_SaveData, "Failed to open SFO at {}",
+                      fmt::UTF(g_param_sfo_path.u8string()));
             throw std::filesystem::filesystem_error(
                 "failed to open SFO", g_param_sfo_path,
                 std::make_error_code(std::errc::illegal_byte_sequence));
diff --git a/src/core/libraries/save_data/savedata.cpp b/src/core/libraries/save_data/savedata.cpp
index 9599c1ff..da885d97 100644
--- a/src/core/libraries/save_data/savedata.cpp
+++ b/src/core/libraries/save_data/savedata.cpp
@@ -607,7 +607,7 @@ Error PS4_SYSV_ABI sceSaveDataCheckBackupData(const OrbisSaveDataCheckBackupData
     if (check->param != nullptr) {
         PSF sfo;
         if (!sfo.Open(backup_path / "sce_sys" / "param.sfo")) {
-            LOG_ERROR(Lib_SaveData, "Failed to read SFO at {}", backup_path.string());
+            LOG_ERROR(Lib_SaveData, "Failed to read SFO at {}", fmt::UTF(backup_path.u8string()));
             return Error::INTERNAL;
         }
         check->param->FromSFO(sfo);
@@ -818,7 +818,7 @@ Error PS4_SYSV_ABI sceSaveDataDirNameSearch(const OrbisSaveDataDirNameSearchCond
         const auto sfo_path = SaveInstance::GetParamSFOPath(dir_path);
         PSF sfo;
         if (!sfo.Open(sfo_path)) {
-            LOG_ERROR(Lib_SaveData, "Failed to read SFO: {}", sfo_path.string());
+            LOG_ERROR(Lib_SaveData, "Failed to read SFO: {}", fmt::UTF(sfo_path.u8string()));
             ASSERT_MSG(false, "Failed to read SFO");
         }
         map_dir_sfo.emplace(dir_name, std::move(sfo));
diff --git a/src/emulator.cpp b/src/emulator.cpp
index 4a2e38ff..b27c7386 100644
--- a/src/emulator.cpp
+++ b/src/emulator.cpp
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ void Emulator::Run(const std::filesystem::path& file) {
                 if (splash->IsLoaded()) {
                     continue;
                 }
-                if (!splash->Open(entry.path().string())) {
+                if (!splash->Open(entry.path())) {
                     LOG_ERROR(Loader, "Game splash: unable to open file");
                 }
             }
@@ -189,7 +189,7 @@ void Emulator::Run(const std::filesystem::path& file) {
     if (!std::filesystem::exists(mount_captures_dir)) {
         std::filesystem::create_directory(mount_captures_dir);
     }
-    VideoCore::SetOutputDir(mount_captures_dir.generic_string(), id);
+    VideoCore::SetOutputDir(mount_captures_dir, id);
 
     // Initialize kernel and library facilities.
     Libraries::Kernel::init_pthreads();
@@ -205,7 +205,7 @@ void Emulator::Run(const std::filesystem::path& file) {
     std::filesystem::path sce_module_folder = file.parent_path() / "sce_module";
     if (std::filesystem::is_directory(sce_module_folder)) {
         for (const auto& entry : std::filesystem::directory_iterator(sce_module_folder)) {
-            LOG_INFO(Loader, "Loading {}", entry.path().string().c_str());
+            LOG_INFO(Loader, "Loading {}", fmt::UTF(entry.path().u8string()));
             linker->LoadModule(entry.path());
         }
     }
diff --git a/src/imgui/renderer/imgui_core.cpp b/src/imgui/renderer/imgui_core.cpp
index a3f4c507..8c2b31c9 100644
--- a/src/imgui/renderer/imgui_core.cpp
+++ b/src/imgui/renderer/imgui_core.cpp
@@ -51,8 +51,16 @@ void Initialize(const ::Vulkan::Instance& instance, const Frontend::WindowSDL& w
     io.ConfigFlags |= ImGuiConfigFlags_NavEnableGamepad;
     io.ConfigFlags |= ImGuiConfigFlags_DockingEnable;
     io.DisplaySize = ImVec2((float)window.getWidth(), (float)window.getHeight());
-    io.IniFilename = SDL_strdup(config_path.string().c_str());
-    io.LogFilename = SDL_strdup(log_path.string().c_str());
+
+    auto path = config_path.u8string();
+    char* config_file_buf = new char[path.size() + 1]();
+    std::memcpy(config_file_buf, path.c_str(), path.size());
+    io.IniFilename = config_file_buf;
+
+    path = log_path.u8string();
+    char* log_file_buf = new char[path.size() + 1]();
+    std::memcpy(log_file_buf, path.c_str(), path.size());
+    io.LogFilename = log_file_buf;
 
     ImFontGlyphRangesBuilder rb{};
     rb.AddRanges(io.Fonts->GetGlyphRangesDefault());
@@ -114,8 +122,8 @@ void Shutdown(const vk::Device& device) {
     Sdl::Shutdown();
     DestroyContext();
 
-    SDL_free(ini_filename);
-    SDL_free(log_filename);
+    delete[] (char*)ini_filename;
+    delete[] (char*)log_filename;
 }
 
 bool ProcessEvent(SDL_Event* event) {
diff --git a/src/main.cpp b/src/main.cpp
index cea92be0..de1d9232 100644
--- a/src/main.cpp
+++ b/src/main.cpp
@@ -5,7 +5,15 @@
 #include "common/memory_patcher.h"
 #include "emulator.h"
 
+#ifdef _WIN32
+#include <windows.h>
+#endif
+
 int main(int argc, char* argv[]) {
+#ifdef _WIN32
+    SetConsoleOutputCP(CP_UTF8);
+#endif
+
     if (argc == 1) {
         fmt::print("Usage: {} <elf or eboot.bin path>\n", argv[0]);
         return -1;
diff --git a/src/qt_gui/cheats_patches.cpp b/src/qt_gui/cheats_patches.cpp
index aaa6b4f0..655478d2 100644
--- a/src/qt_gui/cheats_patches.cpp
+++ b/src/qt_gui/cheats_patches.cpp
@@ -50,8 +50,9 @@ void CheatsPatches::setupUI() {
     defaultTextEdit = tr("defaultTextEdit_MSG");
     defaultTextEdit.replace("\\n", "\n");
 
-    QString CHEATS_DIR_QString =
-        QString::fromStdString(Common::FS::GetUserPath(Common::FS::PathType::CheatsDir).string());
+    QString CHEATS_DIR_QString;
+    Common::FS::PathToQString(CHEATS_DIR_QString,
+                              Common::FS::GetUserPath(Common::FS::PathType::CheatsDir));
     QString NameCheatJson = m_gameSerial + "_" + m_gameVersion + ".json";
     m_cheatFilePath = CHEATS_DIR_QString + "/" + NameCheatJson;
 
@@ -275,9 +276,9 @@ void CheatsPatches::onSaveButtonClicked() {
     int separatorIndex = selectedPatchName.indexOf(" | ");
     selectedPatchName = selectedPatchName.mid(separatorIndex + 3);
 
-    QString patchDir =
-        QString::fromStdString(Common::FS::GetUserPath(Common::FS::PathType::PatchesDir).string()) +
-        "/" + selectedPatchName;
+    QString patchDir;
+    Common::FS::PathToQString(patchDir, Common::FS::GetUserPath(Common::FS::PathType::PatchesDir));
+    patchDir += "/" + selectedPatchName;
 
     QString filesJsonPath = patchDir + "/files.json";
     QFile jsonFile(filesJsonPath);
@@ -555,10 +556,10 @@ void CheatsPatches::downloadCheats(const QString& source, const QString& gameSer
                 if (dotIndex != -1) {
                     baseFileName.insert(dotIndex, "_wolf2022");
                 }
-                QString filePath =
-                    QString::fromStdString(
-                        Common::FS::GetUserPath(Common::FS::PathType::CheatsDir).string()) +
-                    "/" + baseFileName;
+                QString filePath;
+                Common::FS::PathToQString(filePath,
+                                          Common::FS::GetUserPath(Common::FS::PathType::CheatsDir));
+                filePath += "/" + baseFileName;
                 if (QFile::exists(filePath) && showMessageBox) {
                     QMessageBox::StandardButton reply2;
                     reply2 =
@@ -612,8 +613,9 @@ void CheatsPatches::populateFileListPatches() {
     }
     m_patchInfos.clear();
 
-    QString patchesDir =
-        QString::fromStdString(Common::FS::GetUserPath(Common::FS::PathType::PatchesDir).string());
+    QString patchesDir;
+    Common::FS::PathToQString(patchesDir,
+                              Common::FS::GetUserPath(Common::FS::PathType::PatchesDir));
     QDir dir(patchesDir);
 
     QStringList folders = dir.entryList(QDir::Dirs | QDir::NoDotAndDotDot);
@@ -906,8 +908,8 @@ void CheatsPatches::addCheatsToLayout(const QJsonArray& modsArray, const QJsonAr
 }
 
 void CheatsPatches::populateFileListCheats() {
-    QString cheatsDir =
-        QString::fromStdString(Common::FS::GetUserPath(Common::FS::PathType::CheatsDir).string());
+    QString cheatsDir;
+    Common::FS::PathToQString(cheatsDir, Common::FS::GetUserPath(Common::FS::PathType::CheatsDir));
     QString pattern = m_gameSerial + "_" + m_gameVersion + "*.json";
 
     QDir dir(cheatsDir);
@@ -932,8 +934,9 @@ void CheatsPatches::populateFileListCheats() {
                 if (!selectedIndexes.isEmpty()) {
 
                     QString selectedFileName = selectedIndexes.first().data().toString();
-                    QString cheatsDir = QString::fromStdString(
-                        Common::FS::GetUserPath(Common::FS::PathType::CheatsDir).string());
+                    QString cheatsDir;
+                    Common::FS::PathToQString(
+                        cheatsDir, Common::FS::GetUserPath(Common::FS::PathType::CheatsDir));
 
                     QFile file(cheatsDir + "/" + selectedFileName);
                     if (file.open(QIODevice::ReadOnly)) {
diff --git a/src/qt_gui/game_grid_frame.cpp b/src/qt_gui/game_grid_frame.cpp
index 96ec0e93..3113aecc 100644
--- a/src/qt_gui/game_grid_frame.cpp
+++ b/src/qt_gui/game_grid_frame.cpp
@@ -44,7 +44,8 @@ void GameGridFrame::PlayBackgroundMusic(QTableWidgetItem* item) {
         BackgroundMusicPlayer::getInstance().stopMusic();
         return;
     }
-    const auto snd0path = QString::fromStdString(m_game_info->m_games[item->row()].snd0_path);
+    QString snd0path;
+    Common::FS::PathToQString(snd0path, m_game_info->m_games[item->row()].snd0_path);
     BackgroundMusicPlayer::getInstance().playMusic(snd0path);
 }
 
@@ -122,14 +123,12 @@ void GameGridFrame::SetGridBackgroundImage(int row, int column) {
     int itemID = (row * this->columnCount()) + column;
     QWidget* item = this->cellWidget(row, column);
     if (item) {
-        QString pic1Path = QString::fromStdString((*m_games_shared)[itemID].pic_path);
+        QString pic1Path;
+        Common::FS::PathToQString(pic1Path, (*m_games_shared)[itemID].pic_path);
         const auto blurredPic1Path = Common::FS::GetUserPath(Common::FS::PathType::MetaDataDir) /
                                      (*m_games_shared)[itemID].serial / "pic1.png";
-#ifdef _WIN32
-        const auto blurredPic1PathQt = QString::fromStdWString(blurredPic1Path.wstring());
-#else
-        const auto blurredPic1PathQt = QString::fromStdString(blurredPic1Path.string());
-#endif
+        QString blurredPic1PathQt;
+        Common::FS::PathToQString(blurredPic1PathQt, blurredPic1Path);
 
         backgroundImage = QImage(blurredPic1PathQt);
         if (backgroundImage.isNull()) {
diff --git a/src/qt_gui/game_info.cpp b/src/qt_gui/game_info.cpp
index 2821a032..6e8d8971 100644
--- a/src/qt_gui/game_info.cpp
+++ b/src/qt_gui/game_info.cpp
@@ -3,13 +3,15 @@
 
 #include <QProgressDialog>
 
+#include "common/path_util.h"
 #include "game_info.h"
 
 GameInfoClass::GameInfoClass() = default;
 GameInfoClass::~GameInfoClass() = default;
 
 void GameInfoClass::GetGameInfo(QWidget* parent) {
-    QString installDir = QString::fromStdString(Config::getGameInstallDir());
+    QString installDir;
+    Common::FS::PathToQString(installDir, Config::getGameInstallDir());
     QStringList filePaths;
     QDir parentFolder(installDir);
     QFileInfoList fileList = parentFolder.entryInfoList(QDir::Dirs | QDir::NoDotAndDotDot);
@@ -19,7 +21,7 @@ void GameInfoClass::GetGameInfo(QWidget* parent) {
         }
     }
     m_games = QtConcurrent::mapped(filePaths, [&](const QString& path) {
-                  return readGameInfo(path.toStdString());
+                  return readGameInfo(Common::FS::PathFromQString(path));
               }).results();
 
     // Progress bar, please be patient :)
diff --git a/src/qt_gui/game_info.h b/src/qt_gui/game_info.h
index 5ef64f07..9db25482 100644
--- a/src/qt_gui/game_info.h
+++ b/src/qt_gui/game_info.h
@@ -22,17 +22,19 @@ public:
         return a.name < b.name;
     }
 
-    static GameInfo readGameInfo(const std::string& filePath) {
+    static GameInfo readGameInfo(const std::filesystem::path& filePath) {
         GameInfo game;
         game.path = filePath;
 
         PSF psf;
-        if (psf.Open(std::filesystem::path(game.path) / "sce_sys" / "param.sfo")) {
-            game.icon_path = game.path + "/sce_sys/icon0.png";
-            QString iconpath = QString::fromStdString(game.icon_path);
+        if (psf.Open(game.path / "sce_sys" / "param.sfo")) {
+            game.icon_path = game.path / "sce_sys" / "icon0.png";
+            QString iconpath;
+            Common::FS::PathToQString(iconpath, game.icon_path);
             game.icon = QImage(iconpath);
-            game.pic_path = game.path + "/sce_sys/pic1.png";
-            game.snd0_path = game.path + "/sce_sys/snd0.at9";
+            game.pic_path = game.path / "sce_sys" / "pic1.png";
+            game.snd0_path = game.path / "sce_sys" / "snd0.at9";
+
             if (const auto title = psf.GetString("TITLE"); title.has_value()) {
                 game.name = *title;
             }
diff --git a/src/qt_gui/game_install_dialog.cpp b/src/qt_gui/game_install_dialog.cpp
index 5f031bde..d8cc7a83 100644
--- a/src/qt_gui/game_install_dialog.cpp
+++ b/src/qt_gui/game_install_dialog.cpp
@@ -41,7 +41,9 @@ QWidget* GameInstallDialog::SetupGamesDirectory() {
 
     // Input.
     m_gamesDirectory = new QLineEdit();
-    m_gamesDirectory->setText(QString::fromStdString(Config::getGameInstallDir()));
+    QString install_dir;
+    Common::FS::PathToQString(install_dir, Config::getGameInstallDir());
+    m_gamesDirectory->setText(install_dir);
     m_gamesDirectory->setMinimumWidth(400);
 
     layout->addWidget(m_gamesDirectory);
@@ -76,7 +78,7 @@ void GameInstallDialog::Save() {
         return;
     }
 
-    Config::setGameInstallDir(gamesDirectory.toStdString());
+    Config::setGameInstallDir(Common::FS::PathFromQString(gamesDirectory));
     const auto config_dir = Common::FS::GetUserPath(Common::FS::PathType::UserDir);
     Config::save(config_dir / "config.toml");
     accept();
diff --git a/src/qt_gui/game_list_frame.cpp b/src/qt_gui/game_list_frame.cpp
index bb3fd2e6..45e52f37 100644
--- a/src/qt_gui/game_list_frame.cpp
+++ b/src/qt_gui/game_list_frame.cpp
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 // SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-or-later
 
 #include "common/path_util.h"
+#include "common/string_util.h"
 #include "game_list_frame.h"
 
 GameListFrame::GameListFrame(std::shared_ptr<GameInfoClass> game_info_get, QWidget* parent)
@@ -73,7 +74,8 @@ void GameListFrame::PlayBackgroundMusic(QTableWidgetItem* item) {
         BackgroundMusicPlayer::getInstance().stopMusic();
         return;
     }
-    const auto snd0path = QString::fromStdString(m_game_info->m_games[item->row()].snd0_path);
+    QString snd0path;
+    Common::FS::PathToQString(snd0path, m_game_info->m_games[item->row()].snd0_path);
     BackgroundMusicPlayer::getInstance().playMusic(snd0path);
 }
 
@@ -88,7 +90,9 @@ void GameListFrame::PopulateGameList() {
         SetTableItem(i, 4, QString::fromStdString(m_game_info->m_games[i].fw));
         SetTableItem(i, 5, QString::fromStdString(m_game_info->m_games[i].size));
         SetTableItem(i, 6, QString::fromStdString(m_game_info->m_games[i].version));
-        SetTableItem(i, 7, QString::fromStdString(m_game_info->m_games[i].path));
+        QString path;
+        Common::FS::PathToQString(path, m_game_info->m_games[i].path);
+        SetTableItem(i, 7, path);
     }
 }
 
@@ -98,14 +102,12 @@ void GameListFrame::SetListBackgroundImage(QTableWidgetItem* item) {
         return;
     }
 
-    QString pic1Path = QString::fromStdString(m_game_info->m_games[item->row()].pic_path);
+    QString pic1Path;
+    Common::FS::PathToQString(pic1Path, m_game_info->m_games[item->row()].pic_path);
     const auto blurredPic1Path = Common::FS::GetUserPath(Common::FS::PathType::MetaDataDir) /
                                  m_game_info->m_games[item->row()].serial / "pic1.png";
-#ifdef _WIN32
-    const auto blurredPic1PathQt = QString::fromStdWString(blurredPic1Path.wstring());
-#else
-    const auto blurredPic1PathQt = QString::fromStdString(blurredPic1Path.string());
-#endif
+    QString blurredPic1PathQt;
+    Common::FS::PathToQString(blurredPic1PathQt, blurredPic1Path);
 
     backgroundImage = QImage(blurredPic1PathQt);
     if (backgroundImage.isNull()) {
diff --git a/src/qt_gui/game_list_utils.h b/src/qt_gui/game_list_utils.h
index 93757d07..f62275ef 100644
--- a/src/qt_gui/game_list_utils.h
+++ b/src/qt_gui/game_list_utils.h
@@ -3,11 +3,14 @@
 
 #pragma once
 
+#include "common/path_util.h"
+
 struct GameInfo {
-    std::string path; // root path of game directory (normally directory that contains eboot.bin)
-    std::string icon_path; // path of icon0.png
-    std::string pic_path;  // path of pic1.png
-    std::string snd0_path; // path of snd0.at9
+    std::filesystem::path path;      // root path of game directory
+                                     // (normally directory that contains eboot.bin)
+    std::filesystem::path icon_path; // path of icon0.png
+    std::filesystem::path pic_path;  // path of pic1.png
+    std::filesystem::path snd0_path; // path of snd0.at9
     QImage icon;
     std::string size;
     // variables extracted from param.sfo
@@ -44,7 +47,9 @@ public:
     }
 
     static void GetFolderSize(GameInfo& game) {
-        QDir dir(QString::fromStdString(game.path));
+        QString dirPath;
+        Common::FS::PathToQString(dirPath, game.path);
+        QDir dir(dirPath);
         QDirIterator it(dir.absolutePath(), QDirIterator::Subdirectories);
         qint64 total = 0;
         while (it.hasNext()) {
diff --git a/src/qt_gui/gui_context_menus.h b/src/qt_gui/gui_context_menus.h
index 9300ca6e..3218884d 100644
--- a/src/qt_gui/gui_context_menus.h
+++ b/src/qt_gui/gui_context_menus.h
@@ -75,7 +75,8 @@ public:
         }
 
         if (selected == &openFolder) {
-            QString folderPath = QString::fromStdString(m_games[itemID].path);
+            QString folderPath;
+            Common::FS::PathToQString(folderPath, m_games[itemID].path);
             QDesktopServices::openUrl(QUrl::fromLocalFile(folderPath));
         }
 
@@ -158,7 +159,9 @@ public:
             QString gameSerial = QString::fromStdString(m_games[itemID].serial);
             QString gameVersion = QString::fromStdString(m_games[itemID].version);
             QString gameSize = QString::fromStdString(m_games[itemID].size);
-            QPixmap gameImage(QString::fromStdString(m_games[itemID].icon_path));
+            QString iconPath;
+            Common::FS::PathToQString(iconPath, m_games[itemID].icon_path);
+            QPixmap gameImage(iconPath);
             CheatsPatches* cheatsPatches =
                 new CheatsPatches(gameName, gameSerial, gameVersion, gameSize, gameImage);
             cheatsPatches->show();
@@ -167,8 +170,9 @@ public:
         }
 
         if (selected == &openTrophyViewer) {
-            QString trophyPath = QString::fromStdString(m_games[itemID].serial);
-            QString gameTrpPath = QString::fromStdString(m_games[itemID].path);
+            QString trophyPath, gameTrpPath;
+            Common::FS::PathToQString(trophyPath, m_games[itemID].serial);
+            Common::FS::PathToQString(gameTrpPath, m_games[itemID].path);
             TrophyViewer* trophyViewer = new TrophyViewer(trophyPath, gameTrpPath);
             trophyViewer->show();
             connect(widget->parent(), &QWidget::destroyed, trophyViewer,
@@ -176,11 +180,13 @@ public:
         }
 
         if (selected == &createShortcut) {
-            QString targetPath = QString::fromStdString(m_games[itemID].path);
+            QString targetPath;
+            Common::FS::PathToQString(targetPath, m_games[itemID].path);
             QString ebootPath = targetPath + "/eboot.bin";
 
             // Get the full path to the icon
-            QString iconPath = QString::fromStdString(m_games[itemID].icon_path);
+            QString iconPath;
+            Common::FS::PathToQString(iconPath, m_games[itemID].icon_path);
             QFileInfo iconFileInfo(iconPath);
             QString icoPath = iconFileInfo.absolutePath() + "/" + iconFileInfo.baseName() + ".ico";
 
diff --git a/src/qt_gui/main.cpp b/src/qt_gui/main.cpp
index 68a674f5..8c565a19 100644
--- a/src/qt_gui/main.cpp
+++ b/src/qt_gui/main.cpp
@@ -8,10 +8,18 @@
 #include "game_install_dialog.h"
 #include "main_window.h"
 
+#ifdef _WIN32
+#include <windows.h>
+#endif
+
 // Custom message handler to ignore Qt logs
 void customMessageHandler(QtMsgType, const QMessageLogContext&, const QString&) {}
 
 int main(int argc, char* argv[]) {
+#ifdef _WIN32
+    SetConsoleOutputCP(CP_UTF8);
+#endif
+
     QApplication a(argc, argv);
 
     // Load configurations and initialize Qt application
@@ -22,7 +30,7 @@ int main(int argc, char* argv[]) {
     bool has_command_line_argument = argc > 1;
 
     // Check if the game install directory is set
-    if (Config::getGameInstallDir() == "" && !has_command_line_argument) {
+    if (Config::getGameInstallDir().empty() && !has_command_line_argument) {
         GameInstallDialog dlg;
         dlg.exec();
     }
diff --git a/src/qt_gui/main_window.cpp b/src/qt_gui/main_window.cpp
index 6a1e0b42..759c6992 100644
--- a/src/qt_gui/main_window.cpp
+++ b/src/qt_gui/main_window.cpp
@@ -4,10 +4,12 @@
 #include <QDockWidget>
 #include <QProgressDialog>
 
+#include <common/scm_rev.h>
 #include "about_dialog.h"
 #include "cheats_patches.h"
 #include "check_update.h"
 #include "common/io_file.h"
+#include "common/path_util.h"
 #include "common/string_util.h"
 #include "common/version.h"
 #include "core/file_format/pkg.h"
@@ -43,7 +45,14 @@ bool MainWindow::Init() {
     GetPhysicalDevices();
     // show ui
     setMinimumSize(350, minimumSizeHint().height());
-    setWindowTitle(QString::fromStdString("shadPS4 v" + std::string(Common::VERSION)));
+    std::string window_title = "";
+    if (Common::isRelease) {
+        window_title = fmt::format("shadPS4 v{}", Common::VERSION);
+    } else {
+        window_title = fmt::format("shadPS4 v{} {} {}", Common::VERSION, Common::g_scm_branch,
+                                   Common::g_scm_desc);
+    }
+    setWindowTitle(QString::fromStdString(window_title));
     this->show();
     // load game list
     LoadGameLists();
@@ -433,12 +442,14 @@ void MainWindow::CreateConnects() {
                    .arg(" APP VERSION", -11)
                    .arg("                Path");
         for (const GameInfo& game : m_game_info->m_games) {
+            QString game_path;
+            Common::FS::PathToQString(game_path, game.path);
             out << QString("%1 %2 %3     %4 %5\n")
                        .arg(QString::fromStdString(game.name), -50)
                        .arg(QString::fromStdString(game.serial), -10)
                        .arg(QString::fromStdString(game.fw), -4)
                        .arg(QString::fromStdString(game.version), -11)
-                       .arg(QString::fromStdString(game.path));
+                       .arg(game_path);
         }
     });
 
@@ -517,7 +528,8 @@ void MainWindow::PlayBackgroundMusic() {
                              : m_game_grid_frame->crtRow * m_game_grid_frame->columnCnt +
                                    m_game_grid_frame->crtColumn;
 
-    const auto snd0path = QString::fromStdString(m_game_info->m_games[itemID].snd0_path);
+    QString snd0path;
+    Common::FS::PathToQString(snd0path, m_game_info->m_games[itemID].snd0_path);
     BackgroundMusicPlayer::getInstance().playMusic(snd0path);
 }
 
@@ -529,28 +541,29 @@ void MainWindow::StartGame() {
     if (table_mode == 0) {
         if (m_game_list_frame->currentItem()) {
             int itemID = m_game_list_frame->currentItem()->row();
-            gamePath = QString::fromStdString(m_game_info->m_games[itemID].path + "/eboot.bin");
+            Common::FS::PathToQString(gamePath, m_game_info->m_games[itemID].path / "eboot.bin");
         }
     } else if (table_mode == 1) {
         if (m_game_grid_frame->cellClicked) {
             int itemID = (m_game_grid_frame->crtRow * m_game_grid_frame->columnCnt) +
                          m_game_grid_frame->crtColumn;
-            gamePath = QString::fromStdString(m_game_info->m_games[itemID].path + "/eboot.bin");
+            Common::FS::PathToQString(gamePath, m_game_info->m_games[itemID].path / "eboot.bin");
         }
     } else {
         if (m_elf_viewer->currentItem()) {
             int itemID = m_elf_viewer->currentItem()->row();
-            gamePath = QString::fromStdString(m_elf_viewer->m_elf_list[itemID].toStdString());
+            gamePath = m_elf_viewer->m_elf_list[itemID];
         }
     }
     if (gamePath != "") {
         AddRecentFiles(gamePath);
         Core::Emulator emulator;
-        if (!std::filesystem::exists(gamePath.toUtf8().constData())) {
+        const auto path = Common::FS::PathFromQString(gamePath);
+        if (!std::filesystem::exists(path)) {
             QMessageBox::critical(nullptr, tr("Run Game"), QString(tr("Eboot.bin file not found")));
             return;
         }
-        emulator.Run(gamePath.toUtf8().constData());
+        emulator.Run(path);
     }
 }
 
@@ -666,9 +679,11 @@ void MainWindow::InstallDragDropPkg(std::filesystem::path file, int pkgNum, int
         pkg = PKG();
         pkg.Open(file);
         std::string failreason;
-        auto extract_path = std::filesystem::path(Config::getGameInstallDir()) / pkg.GetTitleID();
+        auto extract_path = Config::getGameInstallDir() / pkg.GetTitleID();
         QString pkgType = QString::fromStdString(pkg.GetPkgFlags());
-        QDir game_dir(QString::fromStdString(extract_path.string()));
+        QString gameDirPath;
+        Common::FS::PathToQString(gameDirPath, extract_path);
+        QDir game_dir(gameDirPath);
         if (game_dir.exists()) {
             QMessageBox msgBox;
             msgBox.setWindowTitle(tr("PKG Extraction"));
@@ -690,7 +705,9 @@ void MainWindow::InstallDragDropPkg(std::filesystem::path file, int pkgNum, int
 
             auto addon_extract_path = Common::FS::GetUserPath(Common::FS::PathType::AddonsDir) /
                                       pkg.GetTitleID() / entitlement_label;
-            QDir addon_dir(QString::fromStdString(addon_extract_path.string()));
+            QString addonDirPath;
+            Common::FS::PathToQString(addonDirPath, addon_extract_path);
+            QDir addon_dir(addonDirPath);
             auto category = psf.GetString("CATEGORY");
 
             if (pkgType.contains("PATCH")) {
@@ -755,8 +772,7 @@ void MainWindow::InstallDragDropPkg(std::filesystem::path file, int pkgNum, int
                         return;
                     }
                 } else {
-                    msgBox.setText(QString(tr("DLC already installed:") + "\n" +
-                                           QString::fromStdString(addon_extract_path.string()) +
+                    msgBox.setText(QString(tr("DLC already installed:") + "\n" + addonDirPath +
                                            "\n\n" + tr("Would you like to overwrite?")));
                     msgBox.setStandardButtons(QMessageBox::Yes | QMessageBox::No);
                     msgBox.setDefaultButton(QMessageBox::No);
@@ -768,8 +784,7 @@ void MainWindow::InstallDragDropPkg(std::filesystem::path file, int pkgNum, int
                     }
                 }
             } else {
-                msgBox.setText(QString(tr("Game already installed") + "\n" +
-                                       QString::fromStdString(extract_path.string()) + "\n" +
+                msgBox.setText(QString(tr("Game already installed") + "\n" + addonDirPath + "\n" +
                                        tr("Would you like to overwrite?")));
                 msgBox.setStandardButtons(QMessageBox::Yes | QMessageBox::No);
                 msgBox.setDefaultButton(QMessageBox::No);
@@ -812,7 +827,8 @@ void MainWindow::InstallDragDropPkg(std::filesystem::path file, int pkgNum, int
                 QFutureWatcher<void> futureWatcher;
                 connect(&futureWatcher, &QFutureWatcher<void>::finished, this, [=, this]() {
                     if (pkgNum == nPkg) {
-                        QString path = QString::fromStdString(Config::getGameInstallDir());
+                        QString path;
+                        Common::FS::PathToQString(path, Config::getGameInstallDir());
                         QMessageBox extractMsgBox(this);
                         extractMsgBox.setWindowTitle(tr("Extraction Finished"));
                         extractMsgBox.setText(
@@ -984,14 +1000,14 @@ void MainWindow::CreateRecentGameActions() {
     }
 
     connect(m_recent_files_group, &QActionGroup::triggered, this, [this](QAction* action) {
-        QString gamePath = action->text();
-        AddRecentFiles(gamePath); // Update the list.
+        auto gamePath = Common::FS::PathFromQString(action->text());
+        AddRecentFiles(action->text()); // Update the list.
         Core::Emulator emulator;
-        if (!std::filesystem::exists(gamePath.toUtf8().constData())) {
+        if (!std::filesystem::exists(gamePath)) {
             QMessageBox::critical(nullptr, tr("Run Game"), QString(tr("Eboot.bin file not found")));
             return;
         }
-        emulator.Run(gamePath.toUtf8().constData());
+        emulator.Run(gamePath);
     });
 }
 
@@ -1025,4 +1041,4 @@ void MainWindow::OnLanguageChanged(const std::string& locale) {
     Config::setEmulatorLanguage(locale);
 
     LoadTranslation();
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/src/qt_gui/trophy_viewer.cpp b/src/qt_gui/trophy_viewer.cpp
index 8b96948c..528beee0 100644
--- a/src/qt_gui/trophy_viewer.cpp
+++ b/src/qt_gui/trophy_viewer.cpp
@@ -21,15 +21,10 @@ TrophyViewer::TrophyViewer(QString trophyPath, QString gameTrpPath) : QMainWindo
 }
 
 void TrophyViewer::PopulateTrophyWidget(QString title) {
-#ifdef _WIN32
     const auto trophyDir = Common::FS::GetUserPath(Common::FS::PathType::MetaDataDir) /
-                           title.toStdWString() / "TrophyFiles";
-    const auto trophyDirQt = QString::fromStdWString(trophyDir.wstring());
-#else
-    const auto trophyDir = Common::FS::GetUserPath(Common::FS::PathType::MetaDataDir) /
-                           title.toStdString() / "TrophyFiles";
-    const auto trophyDirQt = QString::fromStdString(trophyDir.string());
-#endif
+                           Common::FS::PathFromQString(title) / "TrophyFiles";
+    QString trophyDirQt;
+    Common::FS::PathToQString(trophyDirQt, trophyDir);
 
     QDir dir(trophyDirQt);
     if (!dir.exists()) {
diff --git a/src/video_core/renderdoc.cpp b/src/video_core/renderdoc.cpp
index 7f88e126..7e099499 100644
--- a/src/video_core/renderdoc.cpp
+++ b/src/video_core/renderdoc.cpp
@@ -110,11 +110,11 @@ void TriggerCapture() {
     }
 }
 
-void SetOutputDir(const std::string& path, const std::string& prefix) {
+void SetOutputDir(const std::filesystem::path& path, const std::string& prefix) {
     if (!rdoc_api) {
         return;
     }
-    rdoc_api->SetCaptureFilePathTemplate((path + '\\' + prefix).c_str());
+    rdoc_api->SetCaptureFilePathTemplate(fmt::UTF((path / prefix).u8string()).data.data());
 }
 
 } // namespace VideoCore
diff --git a/src/video_core/renderdoc.h b/src/video_core/renderdoc.h
index febf6fbc..91e242d0 100644
--- a/src/video_core/renderdoc.h
+++ b/src/video_core/renderdoc.h
@@ -20,6 +20,6 @@ void EndCapture();
 void TriggerCapture();
 
 /// Sets output directory for captures
-void SetOutputDir(const std::string& path, const std::string& prefix);
+void SetOutputDir(const std::filesystem::path& path, const std::string& prefix);
 
 } // namespace VideoCore