diff --git a/Application/Application.cpp b/Application/Application.cpp
index e39d787d..b1dff3b4 100644
--- a/Application/Application.cpp
+++ b/Application/Application.cpp
@@ -209,7 +209,7 @@ HMODULE RmLoadSystemLibrary(LPCWSTR lpLibFileName)
 	if (GetSystemDirectory(buffer, MAX_PATH))
 	{
 		path = buffer;
-		path += L"\\";
+		path += L'\\';
 		path += lpLibFileName;
 
 		return LoadLibrary(path.c_str());
diff --git a/Library/ConfigParser.cpp b/Library/ConfigParser.cpp
index 964cf999..3841f2ba 100644
--- a/Library/ConfigParser.cpp
+++ b/Library/ConfigParser.cpp
@@ -89,8 +89,8 @@ void CConfigParser::Initialize(LPCTSTR filename, CRainmeter* pRainmeter, CMeterW
 	ReadVariables();
 
 	// Clear and minimize
-	std::unordered_set<std::wstring>().swap(m_FoundSections);
-	std::list<std::wstring>().swap(m_ListVariables);
+	m_FoundSections.clear();
+	m_ListVariables.clear();
 }
 
 /*
@@ -756,7 +756,7 @@ double CConfigParser::ReadFormula(LPCTSTR section, LPCTSTR key, double defValue)
 			error += key;
 			error += L"\" in [";
 			error += section;
-			error += L"]";
+			error += L']';
 			Log(LOG_ERROR, error.c_str());
 		}
 
@@ -1117,6 +1117,9 @@ void CConfigParser::ReadIniFile(const std::wstring& iniFile, LPCTSTR config, int
 
 	// Get all the sections (i.e. different meters)
 	std::list<std::wstring> sections;
+	std::unordered_set<std::wstring> unique;
+	std::wstring section, sectionKey;  // buffer
+
 	DWORD itemsSize = MAX_LINE_LENGTH;
 	WCHAR* items = new WCHAR[itemsSize];
 	WCHAR* pos = NULL;
@@ -1153,12 +1156,16 @@ void CConfigParser::ReadIniFile(const std::wstring& iniFile, LPCTSTR config, int
 		{
 			if (*pos)
 			{
-				std::wstring section = pos;
-				if (m_FoundSections.insert(StrToLower(section)).second)
+				section = pos;
+				StrToLowerC(sectionKey.assign(section));
+				if (unique.insert(sectionKey).second)
 				{
-					m_Sections.push_back(section);
+					if (m_FoundSections.insert(sectionKey).second)
+					{
+						m_Sections.push_back(section);
+					}
+					sections.push_back(section);
 				}
-				sections.push_back(section);
 				pos += section.size() + 1;
 			}
 			else  // Empty string
@@ -1184,13 +1191,15 @@ void CConfigParser::ReadIniFile(const std::wstring& iniFile, LPCTSTR config, int
 	}
 
 	// Read the keys and values
+	std::wstring key, value;  // buffer
 	std::list<std::wstring>::const_iterator iter = sections.begin();
 	for ( ; iter != sections.end(); ++iter)
 	{
-		std::unordered_set<std::wstring> foundKeys;
+		unique.clear();
+
 		const WCHAR* sectionName = (*iter).c_str();
 		bool isVariables = (_wcsicmp(sectionName, L"Variables") == 0);
-		bool isMetadata = (config == NULL && _wcsicmp(sectionName, L"Metadata") == 0);
+		bool isMetadata = (config == NULL && !isVariables && _wcsicmp(sectionName, L"Metadata") == 0);
 
 		// Read all "key=value" from the section
 		do
@@ -1220,21 +1229,20 @@ void CConfigParser::ReadIniFile(const std::wstring& iniFile, LPCTSTR config, int
 				{
 					size_t clen = sep - pos;  // key's length
 
-					std::wstring key(pos, clen);
-					if (foundKeys.insert(StrToLowerC(key)).second)
+					StrToLowerC(key.assign(pos, clen));
+					if (unique.insert(key).second)
 					{
 						++sep;
 						clen = len - (clen + 1);  // value's length
 
 						// Trim surrounded quotes from value
-						if (clen >= 2 && (sep[0] == L'\"' || sep[0] == L'\'') && sep[clen - 1] == sep[0])
+						if (clen >= 2 && (sep[0] == L'"' || sep[0] == L'\'') && sep[clen - 1] == sep[0])
 						{
 							clen -= 2;
 							++sep;
 						}
 
-						std::wstring value(sep, clen);
-
+						value.assign(sep, clen);
 						if (wcsncmp(key.c_str(), L"@include", 8) == 0)
 						{
 							ReadVariables();
@@ -1251,11 +1259,11 @@ void CConfigParser::ReadIniFile(const std::wstring& iniFile, LPCTSTR config, int
 							if (!isMetadata)  // Uncache Metadata's key-value pair in the skin
 							{
 								SetValue((*iter), key, value);
-							}
 
-							if (isVariables)
-							{
-								m_ListVariables.push_back(key);
+								if (isVariables)
+								{
+									m_ListVariables.push_back(key);
+								}
 							}
 						}
 					}
@@ -1268,6 +1276,7 @@ void CConfigParser::ReadIniFile(const std::wstring& iniFile, LPCTSTR config, int
 			}
 		}
 	}
+
 	delete [] items;
 	if (temporary) CSystem::RemoveFile(iniRead);
 }
@@ -1284,7 +1293,10 @@ void CConfigParser::SetValue(const std::wstring& strSection, const std::wstring&
 {
 	// LogWithArgs(LOG_DEBUG, L"[%s] %s=%s (size: %i)", strSection.c_str(), strKey.c_str(), strValue.c_str(), (int)m_Values.size());
 
-	std::wstring strTmp = strSection + L"~";
+	std::wstring strTmp;
+	strTmp.reserve(strSection.size() + 1 + strKey.size());
+	strTmp += strSection;
+	strTmp += L'~';
 	strTmp += strKey;
 
 	m_Values[StrToLowerC(strTmp)] = strValue;
@@ -1300,7 +1312,10 @@ void CConfigParser::SetValue(const std::wstring& strSection, const std::wstring&
 */
 void CConfigParser::DeleteValue(const std::wstring& strSection, const std::wstring& strKey)
 {
-	std::wstring strTmp = strSection + L"~";
+	std::wstring strTmp;
+	strTmp.reserve(strSection.size() + 1 + strKey.size());
+	strTmp += strSection;
+	strTmp += L'~';
 	strTmp += strKey;
 
 	std::unordered_map<std::wstring, std::wstring>::iterator iter = m_Values.find(StrToLowerC(strTmp));
@@ -1321,14 +1336,12 @@ void CConfigParser::DeleteValue(const std::wstring& strSection, const std::wstri
 */
 const std::wstring& CConfigParser::GetValue(const std::wstring& strSection, const std::wstring& strKey, const std::wstring& strDefault)
 {
-	std::wstring strTmp = strSection + L"~";
+	std::wstring strTmp;
+	strTmp.reserve(strSection.size() + 1 + strKey.size());
+	strTmp += strSection;
+	strTmp += L'~';
 	strTmp += strKey;
 
 	std::unordered_map<std::wstring, std::wstring>::const_iterator iter = m_Values.find(StrToLowerC(strTmp));
-	if (iter != m_Values.end())
-	{
-		return (*iter).second;
-	}
-
-	return strDefault;
+	return (iter != m_Values.end()) ? (*iter).second : strDefault;
 }
diff --git a/Library/ConfigParser.h b/Library/ConfigParser.h
index 89a84733..c5364946 100644
--- a/Library/ConfigParser.h
+++ b/Library/ConfigParser.h
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ public:
 	void SetValue(const std::wstring& strSection, const std::wstring& strKey, const std::wstring& strValue);
 	void DeleteValue(const std::wstring& strSection, const std::wstring& strKey);
 
-	void SetStyleTemplate(const std::wstring& strStyle) { Tokenize(strStyle, L"|").swap(m_StyleTemplate); Shrink(m_StyleTemplate); }
+	void SetStyleTemplate(const std::wstring& strStyle) { static const std::wstring delim(1, L'|'); Tokenize(strStyle, delim).swap(m_StyleTemplate); Shrink(m_StyleTemplate); }
 	void ClearStyleTemplate() { m_StyleTemplate.clear(); }
 
 	const std::wstring& GetLastUsedStyle() { return m_LastUsedStyle; }
diff --git a/Library/DialogManage.cpp b/Library/DialogManage.cpp
index 5987596d..c06fd361 100644
--- a/Library/DialogManage.cpp
+++ b/Library/DialogManage.cpp
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ void CDialogManage::OpenSkin(CMeterWindow* meterWindow)
 
 	if (c_Dialog)
 	{
-		std::wstring name = meterWindow->GetSkinName() + L"\\";
+		std::wstring name = meterWindow->GetSkinName() + L'\\';
 		name += meterWindow->GetSkinIniFile();
 
 		HWND item = GetDlgItem(c_Dialog->m_TabSkins.GetWindow(), IDC_MANAGESKINS_SKINS_TREEVIEW);
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ std::wstring GetTreeSelectionPath(HWND tree)
 	while ((tvi.hItem = TreeView_GetParent(tree, tvi.hItem)) != NULL)
 	{
 		TreeView_GetItem(tree, &tvi);
-		path.insert(0, L"\\");
+		path.insert(0, 1, L'\\');
 		path.insert(0, buffer);
 	}
 
@@ -278,7 +278,7 @@ INT_PTR CDialogManage::OnCommand(WPARAM wParam, LPARAM lParam)
 		{
 			std::wstring command = Rainmeter->GetConfigEditor() + L" \"";
 			command += Rainmeter->GetIniFile();
-			command += L"\"";
+			command += L'"';
 			RunCommand(Rainmeter->GetTrayWindow()->GetWindow(), command.c_str(), SW_SHOWNORMAL);
 		}
 		break;
@@ -661,7 +661,7 @@ void CDialogManage::CTabSkins::ReadSkin()
 	EnableWindow(item, TRUE);
 
 	std::wstring file = Rainmeter->GetSkinPath() + m_SkinName;
-	file += L"\\";
+	file += L'\\';
 	file += m_FileName;
 	m_SkinWindow = Rainmeter->GetMeterWindowByINI(file);
 	if (!m_SkinWindow)
@@ -869,7 +869,7 @@ INT_PTR CDialogManage::CTabSkins::OnCommand(WPARAM wParam, LPARAM lParam)
 			int index = 0;
 			for ( ; iter != Rainmeter->GetAllMeterWindows().end(); ++iter)
 			{
-				std::wstring name = ((*iter).second)->GetSkinName() + L"\\";
+				std::wstring name = ((*iter).second)->GetSkinName() + L'\\';
 				name += ((*iter).second)->GetSkinIniFile();
 				InsertMenu(menu, index, MF_BYPOSITION, ID_CONFIG_FIRST + index, name.c_str());
 				++index;
@@ -932,13 +932,13 @@ INT_PTR CDialogManage::CTabSkins::OnCommand(WPARAM wParam, LPARAM lParam)
 	case IDC_MANAGESKINS_EDIT_BUTTON:
 		{
 			std::wstring command = Rainmeter->GetSkinPath() + m_SkinName;
-			command += L"\\";
+			command += L'\\';
 			command += m_FileName;
 			bool writable = CSystem::IsFileWritable(command.c_str());
 
 			command.insert(0, L" \"");
 			command.insert(0, Rainmeter->GetConfigEditor());
-			command += L"\"";
+			command += L'"';
 
 			// Execute as admin if in protected location
 			RunCommand(NULL, command.c_str(), SW_SHOWNORMAL, !writable);
@@ -1125,9 +1125,9 @@ INT_PTR CDialogManage::CTabSkins::OnCommand(WPARAM wParam, LPARAM lParam)
 	case ID_CONTEXT_MANAGESKINSMENU_OPENFOLDER:
 		{
 			HWND tree = GetDlgItem(m_Window, IDC_MANAGESKINS_SKINS_TREEVIEW);
-			std::wstring command = L"\"" + Rainmeter->GetSkinPath();
+			std::wstring command = L'"' + Rainmeter->GetSkinPath();
 			command += GetTreeSelectionPath(tree);
-			command += L"\"";
+			command += L'"';
 			RunCommand(NULL, command.c_str(), SW_SHOWNORMAL);
 		}
 		break;
@@ -1142,7 +1142,7 @@ INT_PTR CDialogManage::CTabSkins::OnCommand(WPARAM wParam, LPARAM lParam)
 			{
 				if (i == index)
 				{
-					std::wstring name = ((*iter).second)->GetSkinName() + L"\\";
+					std::wstring name = ((*iter).second)->GetSkinName() + L'\\';
 					name += ((*iter).second)->GetSkinIniFile();
 
 					HWND item = GetDlgItem(m_Window, IDC_MANAGESKINS_SKINS_TREEVIEW);
@@ -1179,7 +1179,7 @@ INT_PTR CDialogManage::CTabSkins::OnNotify(WPARAM wParam, LPARAM lParam)
 		if (nm->idFrom == IDC_MANAGESKINS_ADDMETADATA_LINK)
 		{
 			std::wstring file = Rainmeter->GetSkinPath() + m_SkinName;
-			file += L"\\";
+			file += L'\\';
 			file += m_FileName;
 			WritePrivateProfileString(L"Rainmeter", L"\r\n[Metadata]\r\nName=\r\nInformation=\r\nLicense=\r\nVersion", L"", file.c_str());
 			SendMessage(m_Window, WM_COMMAND, MAKEWPARAM(IDC_MANAGESKINS_EDIT_BUTTON, 0), 0);
@@ -1297,7 +1297,7 @@ INT_PTR CDialogManage::CTabSkins::OnNotify(WPARAM wParam, LPARAM lParam)
 				while ((tvi.hItem = TreeView_GetParent(nm->hwndFrom, tvi.hItem)) != NULL)
 				{
 					TreeView_GetItem(nm->hwndFrom, &tvi);
-					m_SkinName.insert(0, L"\\");
+					m_SkinName.insert(0, 1, L'\\');
 					m_SkinName.insert(0, buffer);
 				}
 
@@ -1596,7 +1596,7 @@ INT_PTR CDialogManage::CTabThemes::OnCommand(WPARAM wParam, LPARAM lParam)
 
 	case IDC_MANAGETHEMES_BACKUP_BUTTON:
 		{
-			std::wstring command = L"\"" + Rainmeter->GetPath();
+			std::wstring command = L'"' + Rainmeter->GetPath();
 			command += L"SkinInstaller.exe\" /BACKUP";
 			RunCommand(NULL, command.c_str(), SW_SHOWNORMAL);
 		}
diff --git a/Library/Litestep.cpp b/Library/Litestep.cpp
index a54a1c4c..1f6ede67 100644
--- a/Library/Litestep.cpp
+++ b/Library/Litestep.cpp
@@ -310,7 +310,7 @@ BOOL LogInternal(int nLevel, ULONGLONG elapsed, LPCTSTR pszMessage)
 
 	Rainmeter->AddAboutLogInfo(nLevel, buffer, pszMessage);
 
-	std::wstring message = L"(";
+	std::wstring message(1, L'(');
 	message += buffer;
 	message += L") ";
 	message += pszMessage;
@@ -374,7 +374,7 @@ BOOL LogInternal(int nLevel, ULONGLONG elapsed, LPCTSTR pszMessage)
 						break;
 					}
 
-					message += L"\n";
+					message += L'\n';
 					fputws(message.c_str(), logFile);
 					fclose(logFile);
 				}
diff --git a/Library/Measure.cpp b/Library/Measure.cpp
index acc1f434..619febbd 100644
--- a/Library/Measure.cpp
+++ b/Library/Measure.cpp
@@ -174,12 +174,12 @@ void CMeasure::ReadConfig(CConfigParser& parser, const WCHAR* section)
 	std::wstring subs = parser.ReadString(section, L"Substitute", L"");
 	if (!subs.empty())
 	{
-		if ((subs[0] != L'\"' || subs[subs.length() - 1] != L'\'') &&
-			(subs[0] != L'\'' || subs[subs.length() - 1] != L'\"'))
+		if ((subs[0] != L'"' || subs[subs.length() - 1] != L'\'') &&
+			(subs[0] != L'\'' || subs[subs.length() - 1] != L'"'))
 		{
 			// Add quotes since they are removed by the GetProfileString
-			subs.insert(0, L"\"");
-			subs.append(L"\"");
+			subs.insert(0, 1, L'"');
+			subs += L'"';
 		}
 		if (!ParseSubstitute(subs))
 		{
@@ -394,7 +394,7 @@ std::wstring CMeasure::ExtractWord(std::wstring& buffer)
 		buffer.erase(0, end);
 		len = buffer.size();
 
-		if (buffer[0] == L'\"' || buffer[0] == L'\'')
+		if (buffer[0] == L'"' || buffer[0] == L'\'')
 		{
 			WCHAR quote = buffer[0];
 
@@ -837,7 +837,7 @@ CMeasure* CMeasure::Create(const WCHAR* measure, CMeterWindow* meterWindow, cons
 	error += measure;
 	error += L" is not valid in [";
 	error += name;
-	error += L"]";
+	error += L']';
 	throw CError(error);
 
 	return NULL;
diff --git a/Library/MeasureCalc.cpp b/Library/MeasureCalc.cpp
index 2d19e513..990d5bf5 100644
--- a/Library/MeasureCalc.cpp
+++ b/Library/MeasureCalc.cpp
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ bool CMeasureCalc::Update()
 		error += ConvertToWide(errMsg);
 		error += L" in [";
 		error += m_Name;
-		error += L"]";
+		error += L']';
 		Log(LOG_ERROR, error.c_str());
 	}
 
diff --git a/Library/MeasureDiskSpace.cpp b/Library/MeasureDiskSpace.cpp
index 4650c21e..2055c8ec 100644
--- a/Library/MeasureDiskSpace.cpp
+++ b/Library/MeasureDiskSpace.cpp
@@ -211,7 +211,7 @@ void CMeasureDiskSpace::ReadConfig(CConfigParser& parser, const WCHAR* section)
 	}
 	else if (!CSystem::IsPathSeparator(m_Drive[m_Drive.length() - 1]))  // E.g. "C:"
 	{
-		m_Drive += L"\\";  // A trailing backslash is required.
+		m_Drive += L'\\';  // A trailing backslash is required.
 	}
 
 	m_Type = (1 == parser.ReadInt(section, L"Type", 0));
diff --git a/Library/MeasurePlugin.cpp b/Library/MeasurePlugin.cpp
index 51a14de5..d5704208 100644
--- a/Library/MeasurePlugin.cpp
+++ b/Library/MeasurePlugin.cpp
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ void CMeasurePlugin::ReadConfig(CConfigParser& parser, const WCHAR* section)
 
 	m_PluginName = parser.ReadString(section, L"Plugin", L"");
 
-	size_t pos = m_PluginName.rfind(L".");
+	size_t pos = m_PluginName.rfind(L'.');
 	if (pos == std::wstring::npos)
 	{
 		m_PluginName += L".dll";
diff --git a/Library/MeasureRegistry.cpp b/Library/MeasureRegistry.cpp
index 07d0cbb7..353cc58b 100644
--- a/Library/MeasureRegistry.cpp
+++ b/Library/MeasureRegistry.cpp
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ void CMeasureRegistry::ReadConfig(CConfigParser& parser, const WCHAR* section)
 		error += keyname;
 		error += L" is not valid in [";
 		error += m_Name;
-		error += L"]";
+		error += L']';
 		throw CError(error);
 	}
 
diff --git a/Library/Meter.cpp b/Library/Meter.cpp
index 42f0c8c8..9d19b60c 100644
--- a/Library/Meter.cpp
+++ b/Library/Meter.cpp
@@ -483,7 +483,7 @@ void CMeter::BindMeasure(const std::list<CMeasure*>& measures)
 	std::wstring error = L"The meter [" + m_Name;
 	error += L"] cannot be bound with [";
 	error += m_MeasureName;
-	error += L"]";
+	error += L']';
 	throw CError(error);
 }
 
@@ -538,7 +538,7 @@ CMeter* CMeter::Create(const WCHAR* meter, CMeterWindow* meterWindow, const WCHA
 	error += meter;
 	error += L" is not valid in [";
 	error += name;
-	error += L"]";
+	error += L']';
 	throw CError(error);
 
 	return NULL;
diff --git a/Library/MeterBar.cpp b/Library/MeterBar.cpp
index 76f34264..fc435693 100644
--- a/Library/MeterBar.cpp
+++ b/Library/MeterBar.cpp
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ void CMeterBar::ReadConfig(CConfigParser& parser, const WCHAR* section)
 		error += orientation;
 		error += L" is not valid in [";
 		error += m_Name;
-		error += L"]";
+		error += L']';
 		throw CError(error);
 	}
 
diff --git a/Library/MeterBitmap.cpp b/Library/MeterBitmap.cpp
index e177a9d2..83ff7711 100644
--- a/Library/MeterBitmap.cpp
+++ b/Library/MeterBitmap.cpp
@@ -215,7 +215,7 @@ void CMeterBitmap::ReadConfig(CConfigParser& parser, const WCHAR* section)
 		error += align;
 		error += L" is not valid in [";
 		error += m_Name;
-		error += L"]";
+		error += L']';
 		throw CError(error);
 	}
 
diff --git a/Library/MeterHistogram.cpp b/Library/MeterHistogram.cpp
index 736b21b1..3e444167 100644
--- a/Library/MeterHistogram.cpp
+++ b/Library/MeterHistogram.cpp
@@ -530,7 +530,7 @@ void CMeterHistogram::BindMeasure(const std::list<CMeasure*>& measures)
 		std::wstring error = L"The meter [" + m_Name;
 		error += L"] cannot be bound with [";
 		error += m_SecondaryMeasureName;
-		error += L"]";
+		error += L']';
 		throw CError(error);
 	}
 }
diff --git a/Library/MeterImage.cpp b/Library/MeterImage.cpp
index adeb2441..500ab5f8 100644
--- a/Library/MeterImage.cpp
+++ b/Library/MeterImage.cpp
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ void CMeterImage::ReadConfig(CConfigParser& parser, const WCHAR* section)
 	{
 		if (!CSystem::IsPathSeparator(m_Path[m_Path.length() - 1]))
 		{
-			m_Path += L"\\";
+			m_Path += L'\\';
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -389,7 +389,7 @@ void CMeterImage::BindMeasure(const std::list<CMeasure*>& measures)
 			std::wstring error = L"The meter [" + m_Name;
 			error += L"] cannot be bound with [";
 			error += (*j);
-			error += L"]";
+			error += L']';
 			throw CError(error);
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/Library/MeterLine.cpp b/Library/MeterLine.cpp
index 320f377a..222f210c 100644
--- a/Library/MeterLine.cpp
+++ b/Library/MeterLine.cpp
@@ -378,7 +378,7 @@ void CMeterLine::BindMeasure(const std::list<CMeasure*>& measures)
 			std::wstring error = L"The meter [" + m_Name;
 			error += L"] cannot be bound with [";
 			error += (*j);
-			error += L"]";
+			error += L']';
 			throw CError(error);
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/Library/MeterString.cpp b/Library/MeterString.cpp
index ed71e1f8..1cc6cd2e 100644
--- a/Library/MeterString.cpp
+++ b/Library/MeterString.cpp
@@ -246,7 +246,7 @@ void CMeterString::Initialize()
 	REAL size = (REAL)m_FontSize * (96.0f / (REAL)dpi);
 
 	// Check if the font is in the cache and use it
-	cacheKey += L"-";
+	cacheKey += L'-';
 	cacheKey += FontPropertiesToString(size, style);
 	std::unordered_map<std::wstring, Gdiplus::Font*>::const_iterator iter2 = c_Fonts.find(cacheKey);
 	if (iter2 != c_Fonts.end())
@@ -381,7 +381,7 @@ void CMeterString::ReadConfig(CConfigParser& parser, const WCHAR* section)
 		error += align;
 		error += L" is not valid in [";
 		error += m_Name;
-		error += L"]";
+		error += L']';
 		throw CError(error);
 	}
 
@@ -408,7 +408,7 @@ void CMeterString::ReadConfig(CConfigParser& parser, const WCHAR* section)
 		error += stringCase;
 		error += L" is not valid in [";
 		error += m_Name;
-		error += L"]";
+		error += L']';
 		throw CError(error);
 	}
 
@@ -435,7 +435,7 @@ void CMeterString::ReadConfig(CConfigParser& parser, const WCHAR* section)
 		error += style;
 		error += L" is not valid in [";
 		error += m_Name;
-		error += L"]";
+		error += L']';
 		throw CError(error);
 	}
 
@@ -458,7 +458,7 @@ void CMeterString::ReadConfig(CConfigParser& parser, const WCHAR* section)
 		error += effect;
 		error += L" is not valid in [";
 		error += m_Name;
-		error += L"]";
+		error += L']';
 		throw CError(error);
 	}
 
diff --git a/Library/MeterWindow.cpp b/Library/MeterWindow.cpp
index b64f3c93..f655aef8 100644
--- a/Library/MeterWindow.cpp
+++ b/Library/MeterWindow.cpp
@@ -86,8 +86,8 @@ CMeterWindow::CMeterWindow(const std::wstring& path, const std::wstring& config,
 	m_MouseOver(false),
 	m_BackgroundMargins(),
 	m_DragMargins(),
-	m_WindowX(L"0"),
-	m_WindowY(L"0"),
+	m_WindowX(1, L'0'),
+	m_WindowY(1, L'0'),
 	m_WindowXScreen(1),
 	m_WindowYScreen(1),
 	m_WindowXScreenDefined(false),
@@ -333,9 +333,9 @@ void CMeterWindow::Refresh(bool init, bool all)
 	m_Rainmeter->SetCurrentParser(&m_Parser);
 
 	std::wstring notice = L"Refreshing skin \"" + m_SkinName;
-	notice += L"\\";
+	notice += L'\\';
 	notice += m_SkinIniFile;
-	notice += L"\"";
+	notice += L'"';
 	Log(LOG_NOTICE, notice.c_str());
 
 	m_Refreshing = true;
@@ -956,7 +956,7 @@ void CMeterWindow::RunBang(BANGCOMMAND bang, const WCHAR* arg)
 			std::wstring::size_type pos3;
 			do
 			{
-				pos3 = args.find(L'\"');
+				pos3 = args.find(L'"');
 				if (pos3 != std::wstring::npos)
 				{
 					args.erase(pos3, 1);
@@ -1892,10 +1892,10 @@ void CMeterWindow::ReadConfig()
 	const WCHAR* section = L"Rainmeter";
 
 	// Reset settings to the default value
-	m_WindowX = L"0";
-	m_WindowY = L"0";
-	m_AnchorX = L"0";
-	m_AnchorY = L"0";
+	m_WindowX = L'0';
+	m_WindowY = L'0';
+	m_AnchorX = L'0';
+	m_AnchorY = L'0';
 	m_WindowZPosition = ZPOSITION_NORMAL;
 	m_WindowDraggable = true;
 	m_WindowHide = HIDEMODE_NONE;
@@ -2068,7 +2068,7 @@ void CMeterWindow::WriteConfig(INT setting)
 bool CMeterWindow::ReadSkin()
 {
 	std::wstring iniFile = m_SkinPath + m_SkinName;
-	iniFile += L"\\";
+	iniFile += L'\\';
 	iniFile += m_SkinIniFile;
 
 	// Verify whether the file exists
@@ -2087,7 +2087,7 @@ bool CMeterWindow::ReadSkin()
 	const std::wstring& group = m_Parser.ReadString(L"Rainmeter", L"Group", L"");
 	if (!group.empty())
 	{
-		m_ConfigGroup += L"|";
+		m_ConfigGroup += L'|';
 		m_ConfigGroup += group;
 	}
 	InitializeGroup(m_ConfigGroup);
@@ -2213,7 +2213,7 @@ bool CMeterWindow::ReadSkin()
 			{
 				szFontFile = m_SkinPath; // Get the local path
 				szFontFile += m_SkinName;
-				szFontFile += L"\\";
+				szFontFile += L'\\';
 				szFontFile += localFont;
 				nResults = m_FontCollection->AddFontFile(szFontFile.c_str());
 
@@ -3543,13 +3543,13 @@ LRESULT CMeterWindow::OnCommand(UINT uMsg, WPARAM wParam, LPARAM lParam)
 		if (wParam == ID_CONTEXT_SKINMENU_EDITSKIN)
 		{
 			std::wstring command = m_SkinPath + m_SkinName;
-			command += L"\\";
+			command += L'\\';
 			command += m_SkinIniFile;
 			bool writable = CSystem::IsFileWritable(command.c_str());
 
 			command.insert(0, L" \"");
 			command.insert(0, m_Rainmeter->GetConfigEditor());
-			command += L"\"";
+			command += L'"';
 
 			// Execute as admin if in protected location
 			RunCommand(NULL, command.c_str(), SW_SHOWNORMAL, !writable);
@@ -3560,9 +3560,9 @@ LRESULT CMeterWindow::OnCommand(UINT uMsg, WPARAM wParam, LPARAM lParam)
 		}
 		else if (wParam == ID_CONTEXT_SKINMENU_OPENSKINSFOLDER)
 		{
-			std::wstring command = L"\"" + m_SkinPath;
+			std::wstring command = L'"' + m_SkinPath;
 			command += m_SkinName;
-			command += L"\"";
+			command += L'"';
 			RunCommand(NULL, command.c_str(), SW_SHOWNORMAL);
 		}
 		else if (wParam == ID_CONTEXT_SKINMENU_MANAGESKIN)
@@ -5017,9 +5017,9 @@ LRESULT CMeterWindow::OnCopyData(UINT uMsg, WPARAM wParam, LPARAM lParam)
 				arg += L" \"";
 				arg += m_SkinPath;
 				arg += m_SkinName;
-				arg += L"\\";
+				arg += L'\\';
 				arg += m_SkinIniFile;
-				arg += L"\"";
+				arg += L'"';
 			}
 		}
 
@@ -5028,7 +5028,7 @@ LRESULT CMeterWindow::OnCopyData(UINT uMsg, WPARAM wParam, LPARAM lParam)
 		// another one doesn't matter.
 		arg += L" \"";
 		arg += m_SkinName;
-		arg += L"\"";
+		arg += L'"';
 
 		return m_Rainmeter->ExecuteBang(bang, arg, this);
 	}
@@ -5088,7 +5088,7 @@ void CMeterWindow::MakePathAbsolute(std::wstring& path)
 		absolute.reserve(m_SkinPath.size() + m_SkinName.size() + 1 + path.size());
 		absolute = m_SkinPath;
 		absolute += m_SkinName;
-		absolute += L"\\";
+		absolute += L'\\';
 		absolute += path;
 		absolute.swap(path);
 	}
@@ -5106,7 +5106,7 @@ std::wstring CMeterWindow::GetSkinRootPath()
 	else
 	{
 		path += m_SkinName;
-		path += L"\\";
+		path += L'\\';
 	}
 
 	return path;
diff --git a/Library/Rainmeter.cpp b/Library/Rainmeter.cpp
index b11b6ae0..ea6e8809 100644
--- a/Library/Rainmeter.cpp
+++ b/Library/Rainmeter.cpp
@@ -149,9 +149,9 @@ LPCTSTR PluginBridge(LPCTSTR _sCommand, LPCTSTR _sData)
 			CMeterWindow *meterWindow = Rainmeter->GetMeterWindowByINI(_sData);
 			if (meterWindow)
 			{
-				result = L"\"";
+				result = L'"';
 				result += meterWindow->GetSkinName();
-				result += L"\"";
+				result += L'"';
 				return result.c_str();
 			}
 
@@ -223,7 +223,7 @@ LPCTSTR PluginBridge(LPCTSTR _sCommand, LPCTSTR _sData)
 
 				for (size_t i = 1, isize = subStrings.size(); i < isize; ++i)
 				{
-					if (i != 1) arguments += L" ";
+					if (i != 1) arguments += L' ';
 					arguments += subStrings[i];
 				}
 
@@ -360,7 +360,7 @@ void CRainmeter::BangWithArgs(BANGCOMMAND bang, const WCHAR* arg, size_t numOfAr
 	// Don't include the config name from the arg if there is one
 	for (size_t i = 0; i < numOfArgs; ++i)
 	{
-		if (i != 0) argument += L" ";
+		if (i != 0) argument += L' ';
 		if (i < subStringsSize)
 		{
 			argument += subStrings[i];
@@ -374,7 +374,7 @@ void CRainmeter::BangWithArgs(BANGCOMMAND bang, const WCHAR* arg, size_t numOfAr
 			config = subStrings[numOfArgs];
 		}
 
-		if ((!config.empty()) && (config != L"*"))
+		if (!config.empty() && (config.size() != 1 || config[0] != L'*'))
 		{
 			// Config defined, so bang only that
 			CMeterWindow* meterWindow = GetMeterWindow(config);
@@ -422,14 +422,14 @@ void CRainmeter::BangGroupWithArgs(BANGCOMMAND bang, const WCHAR* arg, size_t nu
 		std::multimap<int, CMeterWindow*>::const_iterator iter = windows.begin();
 		for (; iter != windows.end(); ++iter)
 		{
-			std::wstring argument = L"\"";
+			std::wstring argument(1, L'"');
 			for (size_t i = 0; i < numOfArgs; ++i)
 			{
 				argument += subStrings[i];
 				argument += L"\" \"";
 			}
 			argument += (*iter).second->GetSkinName();
-			argument += L"\"";
+			argument += L'"';
 			BangWithArgs(bang, argument.c_str(), numOfArgs);
 		}
 	}
@@ -835,13 +835,13 @@ int CRainmeter::Initialize(HWND hParent, HINSTANCE hInstance, LPCWSTR szPath)
 	{
 		// The command line defines the location of Rainmeter.ini (or whatever it calls it).
 		std::wstring iniFile = szPath;
-		if (iniFile[0] == L'\"')
+		if (iniFile[0] == L'"')
 		{
 			if (iniFile.length() == 1)
 			{
 				iniFile.clear();
 			}
-			else if (iniFile[iniFile.length() - 1] == L'\"')
+			else if (iniFile[iniFile.length() - 1] == L'"')
 			{
 				iniFile.assign(iniFile, 1, iniFile.length() - 2);
 			}
@@ -976,7 +976,7 @@ int CRainmeter::Initialize(HWND hParent, HINSTANCE hInstance, LPCWSTR szPath)
 		{
 			if (!CSystem::IsPathSeparator(m_SkinPath[m_SkinPath.size() - 1]))
 			{
-				m_SkinPath += L"\\";
+				m_SkinPath += L'\\';
 			}
 		}
 	}
@@ -1168,7 +1168,7 @@ void CRainmeter::ActivateConfig(int configIndex, int iniIndex)
 
 		// Verify whether the ini-file exists
 		std::wstring skinIniPath = skinPath + skinConfig;
-		skinIniPath += L"\\";
+		skinIniPath += L'\\';
 		skinIniPath += skinIniFile;
 
 		if (_waccess(skinIniPath.c_str(), 0) == -1)
@@ -1368,7 +1368,7 @@ CMeterWindow* CRainmeter::GetMeterWindowByINI(const std::wstring& ini_searching)
 		std::map<std::wstring, CMeterWindow*>::const_iterator iter = m_Meters.begin();
 		for (; iter != m_Meters.end(); ++iter)
 		{
-			std::wstring config_current = (*iter).second->GetSkinName() + L"\\";
+			std::wstring config_current = (*iter).second->GetSkinName() + L'\\';
 			config_current += (*iter).second->GetSkinIniFile();
 
 			if (_wcsicmp(config_current.c_str(), config_searching.c_str()) == 0)
@@ -1576,7 +1576,7 @@ int CRainmeter::ScanForConfigsRecursive(const std::wstring& path, std::wstring b
 
 	if (!first)
 	{
-		base += L"\\";
+		base += L'\\';
 	}
 
 	menu.reserve(menu.size() + folders.size());
@@ -2066,7 +2066,7 @@ void CRainmeter::ExecuteCommand(const WCHAR* command, CMeterWindow* meterWindow)
 
 						// Strip the quotes
 						std::wstring::size_type len = strCommand.length();
-						if (len >= 2 && strCommand[0] == L'\"' && strCommand[len - 1] == L'\"')
+						if (len >= 2 && strCommand[0] == L'"' && strCommand[len - 1] == L'"')
 						{
 							len -= 2;
 							strCommand.assign(strCommand, 1, len);
@@ -2135,22 +2135,13 @@ void CRainmeter::ReadGeneralSettings(const std::wstring& iniFile)
 	{
 		// Get the program path associated with .ini files
 		DWORD cchOut = MAX_PATH;
-		buffer[0] = L'\0';
-
 		HRESULT hr = AssocQueryString(ASSOCF_NOTRUNCATE, ASSOCSTR_EXECUTABLE, L".ini", L"open", buffer, &cchOut);
-		if (SUCCEEDED(hr) && cchOut > 0)
-		{
-			m_ConfigEditor = buffer;
-		}
-		else
-		{
-			m_ConfigEditor = L"Notepad";
-		}
+		m_ConfigEditor = (SUCCEEDED(hr) && cchOut > 0) ? buffer : L"Notepad";
 	}
-	if (!m_ConfigEditor.empty() && m_ConfigEditor[0] != L'\"')
+	if (!m_ConfigEditor.empty() && m_ConfigEditor[0] != L'"')
 	{
-		m_ConfigEditor.insert(0, L"\"");
-		m_ConfigEditor.append(L"\"");
+		m_ConfigEditor.insert(0, 1, L'"');
+		m_ConfigEditor += L'"';
 	}
 
 	m_LogViewer = parser.ReadString(L"Rainmeter", L"LogViewer", L"");
@@ -2158,22 +2149,13 @@ void CRainmeter::ReadGeneralSettings(const std::wstring& iniFile)
 	{
 		// Get the program path associated with .log files
 		DWORD cchOut = MAX_PATH;
-		buffer[0] = L'\0';
-
 		HRESULT hr = AssocQueryString(ASSOCF_NOTRUNCATE, ASSOCSTR_EXECUTABLE, L".log", L"open", buffer, &cchOut);
-		if (SUCCEEDED(hr) && cchOut > 0)
-		{
-			m_LogViewer = buffer;
-		}
-		else
-		{
-			m_LogViewer = L"Notepad";
-		}
+		m_LogViewer = (SUCCEEDED(hr) && cchOut > 0) ? buffer : L"Notepad";
 	}
-	if (!m_LogViewer.empty() && m_LogViewer[0] != L'\"')
+	if (!m_LogViewer.empty() && m_LogViewer[0] != L'"')
 	{
-		m_LogViewer.insert(0, L"\"");
-		m_LogViewer.append(L"\"");
+		m_LogViewer.insert(0, 1, L'"');
+		m_LogViewer += L'"';
 	}
 
 	if (m_Debug)
diff --git a/Library/Rainmeter.h b/Library/Rainmeter.h
index 41433e97..c97ec622 100644
--- a/Library/Rainmeter.h
+++ b/Library/Rainmeter.h
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ public:
 	std::pair<int, int> GetMeterWindowIndex(UINT menuCommand);
 
 	CMeterWindow* GetMeterWindow(HWND hwnd);
-	void GetMeterWindowsByLoadOrder(std::multimap<int, CMeterWindow*>& windows, const std::wstring& group = L"");
+	void GetMeterWindowsByLoadOrder(std::multimap<int, CMeterWindow*>& windows, const std::wstring& group = std::wstring());
 	std::map<std::wstring, CMeterWindow*>& GetAllMeterWindows() { return m_Meters; }
 	const std::vector<CONFIG>& GetAllConfigs() { return m_ConfigStrings; }
 	const std::vector<std::wstring>& GetAllThemes() { return m_Themes; }
diff --git a/Library/TintedImage.cpp b/Library/TintedImage.cpp
index 9fe1f0ca..d6778099 100644
--- a/Library/TintedImage.cpp
+++ b/Library/TintedImage.cpp
@@ -637,11 +637,11 @@ void CTintedImage::ReadConfig(CConfigParser& parser, const WCHAR* section)
 			if (m_CropMode < CROPMODE_TL || m_CropMode > CROPMODE_C)
 			{
 				std::wstring error = m_ConfigArray[ConfigIndexImageCrop];
-				error += L"=";
+				error += L'=';
 				error += crop;
 				error += L" (origin) is not valid in [";
 				error += section;
-				error += L"]";
+				error += L']';
 				throw CError(error);
 			}
 		}
@@ -745,11 +745,11 @@ void CTintedImage::ReadConfig(CConfigParser& parser, const WCHAR* section)
 	else
 	{
 		std::wstring error = m_ConfigArray[ConfigIndexImageFlip];
-		error += L"=";
+		error += L'=';
 		error += flip;
 		error += L" is not valid in [";
 		error += section;
-		error += L"]";
+		error += L']';
 		throw CError(error);
 	}
 
diff --git a/Library/TrayWindow.cpp b/Library/TrayWindow.cpp
index 935f449c..aded1c5f 100644
--- a/Library/TrayWindow.cpp
+++ b/Library/TrayWindow.cpp
@@ -484,7 +484,7 @@ LRESULT CALLBACK CTrayWindow::WndProc(HWND hWnd, UINT uMsg, WPARAM wParam, LPARA
 			{
 				std::wstring command = Rainmeter->GetConfigEditor() + L" \"";
 				command += Rainmeter->GetIniFile();
-				command += L"\"";
+				command += L'"';
 				RunCommand(tray->GetWindow(), command.c_str(), SW_SHOWNORMAL);
 			}
 			else if (wParam == ID_CONTEXT_QUIT)
@@ -494,8 +494,8 @@ LRESULT CALLBACK CTrayWindow::WndProc(HWND hWnd, UINT uMsg, WPARAM wParam, LPARA
 			}
 			else if (wParam == ID_CONTEXT_OPENSKINSFOLDER)
 			{
-				std::wstring command = L"\"" + Rainmeter->GetSkinPath();
-				command += L"\"";
+				std::wstring command = L'"' + Rainmeter->GetSkinPath();
+				command += L'"';
 				RunCommand(tray->GetWindow(), command.c_str(), SW_SHOWNORMAL);
 			}
 			else if ((wParam & 0x0ffff) >= ID_THEME_FIRST && (wParam & 0x0ffff) <= ID_THEME_LAST)