diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwbase/windowmanager.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwbase/windowmanager.hpp
index 95eb3e68df..efca05d0cd 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwbase/windowmanager.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwbase/windowmanager.hpp
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ namespace MWBase
             virtual MWGui::CountDialog* getCountDialog() = 0;
             virtual MWGui::ConfirmationDialog* getConfirmationDialog() = 0;
             virtual MWGui::TradeWindow* getTradeWindow() = 0;
-            virtual const std::vector<MWGui::MessageBox*> getActiveMessageBoxes() = 0;
+            virtual const std::vector<std::unique_ptr<MWGui::MessageBox>>& getActiveMessageBoxes() const = 0;
             virtual MWGui::PostProcessorHud* getPostProcessorHud() = 0;
 
             /// Make the player use an item, while updating GUI state accordingly
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwclass/potion.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwclass/potion.cpp
index a7920b553f..2b15379aa7 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwclass/potion.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwclass/potion.cpp
@@ -125,8 +125,7 @@ namespace MWClass
         MWWorld::LiveCellRef<ESM::Potion> *ref =
             ptr.get<ESM::Potion>();
 
-        std::unique_ptr<MWWorld::Action> action (
-            new MWWorld::ActionApply (ptr, ref->mBase->mId));
+        auto action = std::make_unique<MWWorld::ActionApply>(ptr, ref->mBase->mId);
 
         action->setSound ("Drink");
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/alchemywindow.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/alchemywindow.cpp
index 557cb3df4a..b7fa3d71a9 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/alchemywindow.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/alchemywindow.cpp
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ namespace MWGui
         , mCurrentFilter(FilterType::ByName)
         , mModel(nullptr)
         , mSortModel(nullptr)
-        , mAlchemy(new MWMechanics::Alchemy())
+        , mAlchemy(std::make_unique<MWMechanics::Alchemy>())
         , mApparatus (4)
         , mIngredients (4)
     {
@@ -245,13 +245,15 @@ namespace MWGui
         mAlchemy->clear();
         mAlchemy->setAlchemist (MWMechanics::getPlayer());
 
-        mModel = new InventoryItemModel(MWMechanics::getPlayer());
-        mSortModel = new SortFilterItemModel(mModel);
+        auto model = std::make_unique<InventoryItemModel>(MWMechanics::getPlayer());
+        mModel = model.get();
+        auto sortModel = std::make_unique<SortFilterItemModel>(std::move(model));
+        mSortModel = sortModel.get();
         mSortModel->setFilter(SortFilterItemModel::Filter_OnlyIngredients);
-        mItemView->setModel (mSortModel);
+        mItemView->setModel(std::move(sortModel));
         mItemView->resetScrollBars();
 
-        mNameEdit->setCaption("");
+        mNameEdit->setCaption({});
         mBrewCountEdit->setValue(1);
 
         int index = 0;
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/alchemywindow.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/alchemywindow.hpp
index 33bd1f9743..afc00e2bfb 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/alchemywindow.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/alchemywindow.hpp
@@ -12,10 +12,7 @@
 
 #include "windowbase.hpp"
 
-namespace MWMechanics
-{
-    class Alchemy;
-}
+#include "../mwmechanics/alchemy.hpp"
 
 namespace MWGui
 {
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/companionwindow.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/companionwindow.cpp
index 45c5eb9f83..99ed2d995c 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/companionwindow.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/companionwindow.cpp
@@ -123,11 +123,12 @@ void CompanionWindow::setPtr(const MWWorld::Ptr& npc)
 {
     mPtr = npc;
     updateEncumbranceBar();
-
-    mModel = new CompanionItemModel(npc);
-    mSortModel = new SortFilterItemModel(mModel);
-    mFilterEdit->setCaption(std::string());
-    mItemView->setModel(mSortModel);
+    auto model = std::make_unique<CompanionItemModel>(npc);
+    mModel = model.get();
+    auto sortModel = std::make_unique<SortFilterItemModel>(std::move(model));
+    mSortModel = sortModel.get();
+    mFilterEdit->setCaption({});
+    mItemView->setModel(std::move(sortModel));
     mItemView->resetScrollBars();
 
     setTitle(npc.getClass().getName(npc));
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/container.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/container.cpp
index 8478fc46e0..ad23af4711 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/container.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/container.cpp
@@ -129,27 +129,29 @@ namespace MWGui
 
         bool loot = mPtr.getClass().isActor() && mPtr.getClass().getCreatureStats(mPtr).isDead();
 
+        std::unique_ptr<ItemModel> model;
         if (mPtr.getClass().hasInventoryStore(mPtr))
         {
             if (mPtr.getClass().isNpc() && !loot && !lootAnyway)
             {
                 // we are stealing stuff
-                mModel = new PickpocketItemModel(mPtr, new InventoryItemModel(container),
+                model = std::make_unique<PickpocketItemModel>(mPtr, std::make_unique<InventoryItemModel>(container),
                                                  !mPtr.getClass().getCreatureStats(mPtr).getKnockedDown());
             }
             else
-                mModel = new InventoryItemModel(container);
+                model = std::make_unique<InventoryItemModel>(container);
         }
         else
         {
-            mModel = new ContainerItemModel(container);
+            model = std::make_unique<ContainerItemModel>(container);
         }
 
         mDisposeCorpseButton->setVisible(loot);
+        mModel = model.get();
+        auto sortModel = std::make_unique<SortFilterItemModel>(std::move(model));
+        mSortModel = sortModel.get();
 
-        mSortModel = new SortFilterItemModel(mModel);
-
-        mItemView->setModel (mSortModel);
+        mItemView->setModel(std::move(sortModel));
         mItemView->resetScrollBars();
 
         MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->setKeyFocusWidget(mCloseButton);
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/dialogue.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/dialogue.cpp
index 080a9f6fd0..78735540e0 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/dialogue.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/dialogue.cpp
@@ -32,31 +32,15 @@
 
 namespace MWGui
 {
-
-    class ResponseCallback : public MWBase::DialogueManager::ResponseCallback
+    void ResponseCallback::addResponse(const std::string& title, const std::string& text)
     {
-    public:
-        ResponseCallback(DialogueWindow* win, bool needMargin=true)
-            : mWindow(win)
-            , mNeedMargin(needMargin)
-        {
+        mWindow->addResponse(title, text, mNeedMargin);
+    }
 
-        }
-
-        void addResponse(const std::string& title, const std::string& text) override
-        {
-            mWindow->addResponse(title, text, mNeedMargin);
-        }
-
-        void updateTopics()
-        {
-            mWindow->updateTopics();
-        }
-
-    private:
-        DialogueWindow* mWindow;
-        bool mNeedMargin;
-    };
+    void ResponseCallback::updateTopics() const
+    {
+        mWindow->updateTopics();
+    }
 
     PersuasionDialog::PersuasionDialog(std::unique_ptr<ResponseCallback> callback)
         : WindowModal("openmw_persuasion_dialog.layout")
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/dialogue.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/dialogue.hpp
index 7965a7cb24..27547ca046 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/dialogue.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/dialogue.hpp
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 
 #include "bookpage.hpp"
 
+#include "../mwbase/dialoguemanager.hpp"
 #include "../mwdialogue/keywordsearch.hpp"
 
 #include <MyGUI_Delegate.h>
@@ -20,7 +21,21 @@ namespace Gui
 
 namespace MWGui
 {
-    class ResponseCallback;
+    class DialogueWindow;
+
+    class ResponseCallback : public MWBase::DialogueManager::ResponseCallback
+    {
+        DialogueWindow* mWindow;
+        bool mNeedMargin;
+        
+    public:
+        ResponseCallback(DialogueWindow* win, bool needMargin = true) : mWindow(win), mNeedMargin(needMargin)
+        {}
+
+        void addResponse(const std::string& title, const std::string& text) override;
+
+        void updateTopics() const;
+    };
 
     class PersuasionDialog : public WindowModal
     {
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/enchantingdialog.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/enchantingdialog.cpp
index cb4203eb1c..582aeded24 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/enchantingdialog.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/enchantingdialog.cpp
@@ -34,7 +34,6 @@ namespace MWGui
     EnchantingDialog::EnchantingDialog()
         : WindowBase("openmw_enchanting_dialog.layout")
         , EffectEditorBase(EffectEditorBase::Enchanting)
-        , mItemSelectionDialog(nullptr)
     {
         getWidget(mName, "NameEdit");
         getWidget(mCancelButton, "CancelButton");
@@ -62,11 +61,6 @@ namespace MWGui
         mName->eventEditSelectAccept += MyGUI::newDelegate(this, &EnchantingDialog::onAccept);
     }
 
-    EnchantingDialog::~EnchantingDialog()
-    {
-        delete mItemSelectionDialog;
-    }
-
     void EnchantingDialog::onOpen()
     {
         center();
@@ -195,8 +189,7 @@ namespace MWGui
     {
         if (mEnchanting.getOldItem().isEmpty())
         {
-            delete mItemSelectionDialog;
-            mItemSelectionDialog = new ItemSelectionDialog("#{sEnchantItems}");
+            mItemSelectionDialog = std::make_unique<ItemSelectionDialog>("#{sEnchantItems}");
             mItemSelectionDialog->eventItemSelected += MyGUI::newDelegate(this, &EnchantingDialog::onItemSelected);
             mItemSelectionDialog->eventDialogCanceled += MyGUI::newDelegate(this, &EnchantingDialog::onItemCancel);
             mItemSelectionDialog->setVisible(true);
@@ -250,8 +243,7 @@ namespace MWGui
     {
         if (mEnchanting.getGem().isEmpty())
         {
-            delete mItemSelectionDialog;
-            mItemSelectionDialog = new ItemSelectionDialog("#{sSoulGemsWithSouls}");
+            mItemSelectionDialog = std::make_unique<ItemSelectionDialog>("#{sSoulGemsWithSouls}");
             mItemSelectionDialog->eventItemSelected += MyGUI::newDelegate(this, &EnchantingDialog::onSoulSelected);
             mItemSelectionDialog->eventDialogCanceled += MyGUI::newDelegate(this, &EnchantingDialog::onSoulCancel);
             mItemSelectionDialog->setVisible(true);
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/enchantingdialog.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/enchantingdialog.hpp
index 52f3aa34b8..14157d800e 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/enchantingdialog.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/enchantingdialog.hpp
@@ -1,6 +1,9 @@
 #ifndef MWGUI_ENCHANTINGDIALOG_H
 #define MWGUI_ENCHANTINGDIALOG_H
 
+#include <memory>
+
+#include "itemselection.hpp"
 #include "spellcreationdialog.hpp"
 
 #include "../mwmechanics/enchanting.hpp"
@@ -8,14 +11,13 @@
 namespace MWGui
 {
 
-    class ItemSelectionDialog;
     class ItemWidget;
 
     class EnchantingDialog : public WindowBase, public ReferenceInterface, public EffectEditorBase
     {
     public:
         EnchantingDialog();
-        virtual ~EnchantingDialog();
+        virtual ~EnchantingDialog() = default;
 
         void onOpen() override;
 
@@ -48,7 +50,7 @@ namespace MWGui
         void onTypeButtonClicked(MyGUI::Widget* sender);
         void onAccept(MyGUI::EditBox* sender);
 
-        ItemSelectionDialog* mItemSelectionDialog;
+        std::unique_ptr<ItemSelectionDialog> mItemSelectionDialog;
 
         MyGUI::Widget* mChanceLayout;
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/hud.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/hud.cpp
index 1d6b981bcd..028da083f5 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/hud.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/hud.cpp
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ namespace MWGui
         mMainWidget->eventMouseMove += MyGUI::newDelegate(this, &HUD::onWorldMouseOver);
         mMainWidget->eventMouseLostFocus += MyGUI::newDelegate(this, &HUD::onWorldMouseLostFocus);
 
-        mSpellIcons = new SpellIcons();
+        mSpellIcons = std::make_unique<SpellIcons>();
     }
 
     HUD::~HUD()
@@ -171,8 +171,6 @@ namespace MWGui
         mMainWidget->eventMouseLostFocus.clear();
         mMainWidget->eventMouseMove.clear();
         mMainWidget->eventMouseButtonClick.clear();
-
-        delete mSpellIcons;
     }
 
     void HUD::setValue(const std::string& id, const MWMechanics::DynamicStat<float>& value)
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/hud.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/hud.hpp
index ef591bec97..aacca60a52 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/hud.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/hud.hpp
@@ -1,7 +1,10 @@
 #ifndef OPENMW_GAME_MWGUI_HUD_H
 #define OPENMW_GAME_MWGUI_HUD_H
 
+#include <memory>
+
 #include "mapwindow.hpp"
+#include "spellicons.hpp"
 #include "statswatcher.hpp"
 
 namespace MWWorld
@@ -12,7 +15,6 @@ namespace MWWorld
 namespace MWGui
 {
     class DragAndDrop;
-    class SpellIcons;
     class ItemWidget;
     class SpellWidget;
 
@@ -95,7 +97,7 @@ namespace MWGui
 
         bool mWorldMouseOver;
 
-        SpellIcons* mSpellIcons;
+        std::unique_ptr<SpellIcons> mSpellIcons;
 
         int mEnemyActorId;
         float mEnemyHealthTimer;
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/inventorywindow.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/inventorywindow.cpp
index 1dfaa0d047..8a3a72d2b0 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/inventorywindow.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/inventorywindow.cpp
@@ -122,17 +122,20 @@ namespace MWGui
     void InventoryWindow::updatePlayer()
     {
         mPtr = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld ()->getPlayerPtr();
-        mTradeModel = new TradeItemModel(new InventoryItemModel(mPtr), MWWorld::Ptr());
+        auto tradeModel = std::make_unique<TradeItemModel>(std::make_unique<InventoryItemModel>(mPtr), MWWorld::Ptr());
+        mTradeModel = tradeModel.get();
 
         if (mSortModel) // reuse existing SortModel when possible to keep previous category/filter settings
-            mSortModel->setSourceModel(mTradeModel);
+            mSortModel->setSourceModel(std::move(tradeModel));
         else
-            mSortModel = new SortFilterItemModel(mTradeModel);
+        {
+            auto sortModel = std::make_unique<SortFilterItemModel>(std::move(tradeModel));
+            mSortModel = sortModel.get();
+            mItemView->setModel(std::move(sortModel));
+        }
 
         mSortModel->setNameFilter(mFilterEdit->getCaption());
 
-        mItemView->setModel(mSortModel);
-
         mFilterAll->setStateSelected(true);
         mFilterWeapon->setStateSelected(false);
         mFilterApparel->setStateSelected(false);
@@ -776,7 +779,7 @@ namespace MWGui
 
         ItemModel::ModelIndex selected = -1;
         // not using mSortFilterModel as we only need sorting, not filtering
-        SortFilterItemModel model(new InventoryItemModel(player));
+        SortFilterItemModel model(std::make_unique<InventoryItemModel>(player));
         model.setSortByType(false);
         model.update();
         if (model.getItemCount() == 0)
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/itemmodel.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/itemmodel.cpp
index 165e9ba2aa..55b2994199 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/itemmodel.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/itemmodel.cpp
@@ -79,17 +79,6 @@ namespace MWGui
         return true;
     }
 
-
-    ProxyItemModel::ProxyItemModel()
-        : mSourceModel(nullptr)
-    {
-    }
-
-    ProxyItemModel::~ProxyItemModel()
-    {
-        delete mSourceModel;
-    }
-
     bool ProxyItemModel::allowedToUseItems() const
     {
         return mSourceModel->allowedToUseItems();
@@ -134,18 +123,9 @@ namespace MWGui
         return mSourceModel->getIndex(item);
     }
 
-    void ProxyItemModel::setSourceModel(ItemModel *sourceModel)
+    void ProxyItemModel::setSourceModel(std::unique_ptr<ItemModel> sourceModel)
     {
-        if (mSourceModel == sourceModel)
-            return;
-
-        if (mSourceModel)
-        {
-            delete mSourceModel;
-            mSourceModel = nullptr;
-        }
-
-        mSourceModel = sourceModel;
+        mSourceModel = std::move(sourceModel);
     }
 
     void ProxyItemModel::onClose()
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/itemmodel.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/itemmodel.hpp
index d538a040db..9ddcaffc50 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/itemmodel.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/itemmodel.hpp
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 #ifndef MWGUI_ITEM_MODEL_H
 #define MWGUI_ITEM_MODEL_H
 
+#include <memory>
+
 #include "../mwworld/ptr.hpp"
 
 namespace MWGui
@@ -87,8 +89,8 @@ namespace MWGui
     class ProxyItemModel : public ItemModel
     {
     public:
-        ProxyItemModel();
-        virtual ~ProxyItemModel();
+        ProxyItemModel() = default;
+        virtual ~ProxyItemModel() = default;
 
         bool allowedToUseItems() const override;
 
@@ -101,14 +103,14 @@ namespace MWGui
         ModelIndex getIndex (const ItemStack &item) override;
 
         /// @note Takes ownership of the passed pointer.
-        void setSourceModel(ItemModel* sourceModel);
+        void setSourceModel(std::unique_ptr<ItemModel> sourceModel);
 
         ModelIndex mapToSource (ModelIndex index);
         ModelIndex mapFromSource (ModelIndex index);
 
         bool usesContainer(const MWWorld::Ptr& container) override;
     protected:
-        ItemModel* mSourceModel;
+        std::unique_ptr<ItemModel> mSourceModel;
     };
 
 }
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/itemselection.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/itemselection.cpp
index 23f1398eaa..1a34f5d623 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/itemselection.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/itemselection.cpp
@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ namespace MWGui
     ItemSelectionDialog::ItemSelectionDialog(const std::string &label)
         : WindowModal("openmw_itemselection_dialog.layout")
         , mSortModel(nullptr)
-        , mModel(nullptr)
     {
         getWidget(mItemView, "ItemView");
         mItemView->eventItemClicked += MyGUI::newDelegate(this, &ItemSelectionDialog::onSelectedItem);
@@ -37,9 +36,9 @@ namespace MWGui
 
     void ItemSelectionDialog::openContainer(const MWWorld::Ptr& container)
     {
-        mModel = new InventoryItemModel(container);
-        mSortModel = new SortFilterItemModel(mModel);
-        mItemView->setModel(mSortModel);
+        auto sortModel = std::make_unique<SortFilterItemModel>(std::make_unique<InventoryItemModel>(container));
+        mSortModel = sortModel.get();
+        mItemView->setModel(std::move(sortModel));
         mItemView->resetScrollBars();
     }
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/itemselection.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/itemselection.hpp
index 6132bac7af..27eed8ea51 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/itemselection.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/itemselection.hpp
@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@ namespace MWGui
 {
     class ItemView;
     class SortFilterItemModel;
-    class InventoryItemModel;
 
     class ItemSelectionDialog : public WindowModal
     {
@@ -36,7 +35,6 @@ namespace MWGui
     private:
         ItemView* mItemView;
         SortFilterItemModel* mSortModel;
-        InventoryItemModel* mModel;
 
         void onSelectedItem(int index);
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/itemview.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/itemview.cpp
index 14f2c1dd9b..ba12d622c5 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/itemview.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/itemview.cpp
@@ -16,23 +16,13 @@ namespace MWGui
 {
 
 ItemView::ItemView()
-    : mModel(nullptr)
-    , mScrollView(nullptr)
+    : mScrollView(nullptr)
 {
 }
 
-ItemView::~ItemView()
+void ItemView::setModel(std::unique_ptr<ItemModel> model)
 {
-    delete mModel;
-}
-
-void ItemView::setModel(ItemModel *model)
-{
-    if (mModel == model)
-        return;
-
-    delete mModel;
-    mModel = model;
+    mModel = std::move(model);
 
     update();
 }
@@ -114,7 +104,7 @@ void ItemView::update()
         ItemWidget* itemWidget = dragArea->createWidget<ItemWidget>("MW_ItemIcon",
             MyGUI::IntCoord(0, 0, 42, 42), MyGUI::Align::Default);
         itemWidget->setUserString("ToolTipType", "ItemModelIndex");
-        itemWidget->setUserData(std::make_pair(i, mModel));
+        itemWidget->setUserData(std::make_pair(i, mModel.get()));
         ItemWidget::ItemState state = ItemWidget::None;
         if (item.mType == ItemStack::Type_Barter)
             state = ItemWidget::Barter;
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/itemview.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/itemview.hpp
index 4074e55e48..e2f882e618 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/itemview.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/itemview.hpp
@@ -13,13 +13,12 @@ namespace MWGui
     MYGUI_RTTI_DERIVED(ItemView)
     public:
         ItemView();
-        ~ItemView() override;
 
         /// Register needed components with MyGUI's factory manager
         static void registerComponents ();
 
         /// Takes ownership of \a model
-        void setModel (ItemModel* model);
+        void setModel(std::unique_ptr<ItemModel> model);
 
         typedef MyGUI::delegates::CMultiDelegate1<ItemModel::ModelIndex> EventHandle_ModelIndex;
         typedef MyGUI::delegates::CMultiDelegate0 EventHandle_Void;
@@ -44,7 +43,7 @@ namespace MWGui
         void onSelectedBackground (MyGUI::Widget* sender);
         void onMouseWheelMoved(MyGUI::Widget* _sender, int _rel);
 
-        ItemModel* mModel;
+        std::unique_ptr<ItemModel> mModel;
         MyGUI::ScrollView* mScrollView;
 
     };
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/journalwindow.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/journalwindow.cpp
index 45d5b6aa80..7009e66110 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/journalwindow.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/journalwindow.cpp
@@ -648,9 +648,9 @@ namespace
 }
 
 // glue the implementation to the interface
-MWGui::JournalWindow * MWGui::JournalWindow::create (JournalViewModel::Ptr Model, bool questList, ToUTF8::FromType encoding)
+std::unique_ptr<MWGui::JournalWindow> MWGui::JournalWindow::create(JournalViewModel::Ptr Model, bool questList, ToUTF8::FromType encoding)
 {
-    return new JournalWindowImpl (Model, questList, encoding);
+    return std::make_unique<JournalWindowImpl>(Model, questList, encoding);
 }
 
 MWGui::JournalWindow::JournalWindow()
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/journalwindow.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/journalwindow.hpp
index c18e6e4c08..0f3071f113 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/journalwindow.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/journalwindow.hpp
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ namespace MWGui
         JournalWindow();
 
         /// construct a new instance of the one JournalWindow implementation
-        static JournalWindow * create (std::shared_ptr <JournalViewModel> Model, bool questList, ToUTF8::FromType encoding);
+        static std::unique_ptr<JournalWindow> create(std::shared_ptr<JournalViewModel> Model, bool questList, ToUTF8::FromType encoding);
 
         /// destroy this instance of the JournalWindow implementation
         virtual ~JournalWindow () {}
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/mainmenu.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/mainmenu.cpp
index d77a2d0bcd..f178576f12 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/mainmenu.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/mainmenu.cpp
@@ -28,7 +28,6 @@ namespace MWGui
         , mBackground(nullptr)
         , mVideoBackground(nullptr)
         , mVideo(nullptr)
-        , mSaveGameDialog(nullptr)
     {
         getWidget(mVersionText, "VersionText");
         mVersionText->setCaption(versionDescription);
@@ -38,11 +37,6 @@ namespace MWGui
         updateMenu();
     }
 
-    MainMenu::~MainMenu()
-    {
-        delete mSaveGameDialog;
-    }
-
     void MainMenu::onResChange(int w, int h)
     {
         mWidth = w;
@@ -133,7 +127,7 @@ namespace MWGui
         else
         {
             if (!mSaveGameDialog)
-                mSaveGameDialog = new SaveGameDialog();
+                mSaveGameDialog = std::make_unique<SaveGameDialog>();
             if (name == "loadgame")
                 mSaveGameDialog->setLoadOrSave(true);
             else if (name == "savegame")
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/mainmenu.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/mainmenu.hpp
index 560eb93dcc..2ca3844f37 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/mainmenu.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/mainmenu.hpp
@@ -1,6 +1,9 @@
 #ifndef OPENMW_GAME_MWGUI_MAINMENU_H
 #define OPENMW_GAME_MWGUI_MAINMENU_H
 
+#include <memory>
+
+#include "savegamedialog.hpp"
 #include "windowbase.hpp"
 
 namespace Gui
@@ -17,7 +20,6 @@ namespace MWGui
 {
 
     class BackgroundImage;
-    class SaveGameDialog;
     class VideoWidget;
 
     class MainMenu : public WindowBase
@@ -30,7 +32,6 @@ namespace MWGui
         public:
 
             MainMenu(int w, int h, const VFS::Manager* vfs, const std::string& versionDescription);
-            ~MainMenu();
 
             void onResChange(int w, int h) override;
 
@@ -61,7 +62,7 @@ namespace MWGui
 
             void updateMenu();
 
-            SaveGameDialog* mSaveGameDialog;
+            std::unique_ptr<SaveGameDialog> mSaveGameDialog;
     };
 
 }
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/messagebox.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/messagebox.cpp
index e1ea0a46b9..4e163f7d37 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/messagebox.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/messagebox.cpp
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@ namespace MWGui
 
     MessageBoxManager::MessageBoxManager (float timePerChar)
     {
-        mInterMessageBoxe = nullptr;
         mStaticMessageBox = nullptr;
         mLastButtonPressed = -1;
         mMessageBoxSpeed = timePerChar;
@@ -39,31 +38,22 @@ namespace MWGui
         if (mInterMessageBoxe)
         {
             mInterMessageBoxe->setVisible(false);
-
-            delete mInterMessageBoxe;
-            mInterMessageBoxe = nullptr;
+            mInterMessageBoxe.reset();
         }
 
-        for (MessageBox* messageBox : mMessageBoxes)
-        {
-            if (messageBox == mStaticMessageBox)
-                mStaticMessageBox = nullptr;
-            delete messageBox;
-        }
         mMessageBoxes.clear();
+        mStaticMessageBox = nullptr;
 
         mLastButtonPressed = -1;
     }
 
     void MessageBoxManager::onFrame (float frameDuration)
     {
-        std::vector<MessageBox*>::iterator it;
-        for(it = mMessageBoxes.begin(); it != mMessageBoxes.end();)
+        for(auto it = mMessageBoxes.begin(); it != mMessageBoxes.end();)
         {
             (*it)->mCurrentTime += frameDuration;
-            if((*it)->mCurrentTime >= (*it)->mMaxTime && *it != mStaticMessageBox)
+            if((*it)->mCurrentTime >= (*it)->mMaxTime && it->get() != mStaticMessageBox)
             {
-                delete *it;
                 it = mMessageBoxes.erase(it);
             }
             else
@@ -71,7 +61,7 @@ namespace MWGui
         }
 
         float height = 0;
-        it = mMessageBoxes.begin();
+        auto it = mMessageBoxes.begin();
         while(it != mMessageBoxes.end())
         {
             (*it)->update(static_cast<int>(height));
@@ -82,8 +72,7 @@ namespace MWGui
         if(mInterMessageBoxe != nullptr && mInterMessageBoxe->mMarkedToDelete) {
             mLastButtonPressed = mInterMessageBoxe->readPressedButton();
             mInterMessageBoxe->setVisible(false);
-            delete mInterMessageBoxe;
-            mInterMessageBoxe = nullptr;
+            mInterMessageBoxe.reset();
             MWBase::Environment::get().getInputManager()->changeInputMode(
                         MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->isGuiMode());
         }
@@ -91,25 +80,24 @@ namespace MWGui
 
     void MessageBoxManager::createMessageBox(std::string_view message, bool stat)
     {
-        MessageBox *box = new MessageBox(*this, message);
+        auto box = std::make_unique<MessageBox>(*this, message);
         box->mCurrentTime = 0;
         auto realMessage = MyGUI::LanguageManager::getInstance().replaceTags({message.data(), message.size()});
         box->mMaxTime = realMessage.length()*mMessageBoxSpeed;
 
         if(stat)
-            mStaticMessageBox = box;
+            mStaticMessageBox = box.get();
 
         box->setVisible(mVisible);
 
-        mMessageBoxes.push_back(box);
+        mMessageBoxes.push_back(std::move(box));
 
         if(mMessageBoxes.size() > 3) {
-            delete *mMessageBoxes.begin();
             mMessageBoxes.erase(mMessageBoxes.begin());
         }
 
         int height = 0;
-        for (MessageBox* messageBox : mMessageBoxes)
+        for (const auto& messageBox : mMessageBoxes)
         {
             messageBox->update(height);
             height += messageBox->getHeight();
@@ -128,11 +116,9 @@ namespace MWGui
         {
             Log(Debug::Warning) << "Warning: replacing an interactive message box that was not answered yet";
             mInterMessageBoxe->setVisible(false);
-            delete mInterMessageBoxe;
-            mInterMessageBoxe = nullptr;
         }
 
-        mInterMessageBoxe = new InteractiveMessageBox(*this, std::string{message}, buttons);
+        mInterMessageBoxe = std::make_unique<InteractiveMessageBox>(*this, std::string{message}, buttons);
         mLastButtonPressed = -1;
 
         return true;
@@ -145,12 +131,10 @@ namespace MWGui
 
     bool MessageBoxManager::removeMessageBox (MessageBox *msgbox)
     {
-        std::vector<MessageBox*>::iterator it;
-        for(it = mMessageBoxes.begin(); it != mMessageBoxes.end(); ++it)
+        for(auto it = mMessageBoxes.begin(); it != mMessageBoxes.end(); ++it)
         {
-            if((*it) == msgbox)
+            if(it->get() == msgbox)
             {
-                delete (*it);
                 mMessageBoxes.erase(it);
                 return true;
             }
@@ -158,7 +142,7 @@ namespace MWGui
         return false;
     }
 
-    const std::vector<MessageBox*> MessageBoxManager::getActiveMessageBoxes()
+    const std::vector<std::unique_ptr<MessageBox>>& MessageBoxManager::getActiveMessageBoxes() const
     {
         return mMessageBoxes;
     }
@@ -174,7 +158,7 @@ namespace MWGui
     void MessageBoxManager::setVisible(bool value)
     {
         mVisible = value;
-        for (MessageBox* messageBox : mMessageBoxes)
+        for (const auto& messageBox : mMessageBoxes)
             messageBox->setVisible(value);
     }
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/messagebox.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/messagebox.hpp
index 7552bb50d6..3fec60caee 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/messagebox.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/messagebox.hpp
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 #ifndef MWGUI_MESSAGE_BOX_H
 #define MWGUI_MESSAGE_BOX_H
 
+#include <memory>
+
 #include "windowbase.hpp"
 
 namespace MyGUI
@@ -28,7 +30,7 @@ namespace MWGui
 
             int getMessagesCount();
 
-            const InteractiveMessageBox* getInteractiveMessageBox() const { return mInterMessageBoxe; }
+            const InteractiveMessageBox* getInteractiveMessageBox() const { return mInterMessageBoxe.get(); }
 
             /// Remove all message boxes
             void clear();
@@ -47,11 +49,11 @@ namespace MWGui
 
             void setVisible(bool value);
 
-            const std::vector<MessageBox*> getActiveMessageBoxes();
+            const std::vector<std::unique_ptr<MessageBox>>& getActiveMessageBoxes() const;
 
         private:
-            std::vector<MessageBox*> mMessageBoxes;
-            InteractiveMessageBox* mInterMessageBoxe;
+            std::vector<std::unique_ptr<MessageBox>> mMessageBoxes;
+            std::unique_ptr<InteractiveMessageBox> mInterMessageBoxe;
             MessageBox* mStaticMessageBox;
             float mMessageBoxSpeed;
             int mLastButtonPressed;
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/pickpocketitemmodel.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/pickpocketitemmodel.cpp
index 976485c23a..aca1b7392b 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/pickpocketitemmodel.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/pickpocketitemmodel.cpp
@@ -17,11 +17,11 @@
 namespace MWGui
 {
 
-    PickpocketItemModel::PickpocketItemModel(const MWWorld::Ptr& actor, ItemModel *sourceModel, bool hideItems)
+    PickpocketItemModel::PickpocketItemModel(const MWWorld::Ptr& actor, std::unique_ptr<ItemModel> sourceModel, bool hideItems)
         : mActor(actor), mPickpocketDetected(false)
     {
         MWWorld::Ptr player = MWMechanics::getPlayer();
-        mSourceModel = sourceModel;
+        mSourceModel = std::move(sourceModel);
         float chance = player.getClass().getSkill(player, ESM::Skill::Sneak);
 
         mSourceModel->update();
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/pickpocketitemmodel.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/pickpocketitemmodel.hpp
index e28af73d78..ec18f13609 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/pickpocketitemmodel.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/pickpocketitemmodel.hpp
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ namespace MWGui
     class PickpocketItemModel : public ProxyItemModel
     {
     public:
-        PickpocketItemModel (const MWWorld::Ptr& thief, ItemModel* sourceModel, bool hideItems=true);
+        PickpocketItemModel(const MWWorld::Ptr& thief, std::unique_ptr<ItemModel> sourceModel, bool hideItems = true);
 
         bool allowedToUseItems() const override;
         ItemStack getItem (ModelIndex index) override;
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/quickkeysmenu.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/quickkeysmenu.cpp
index d028c263b9..c661b59f17 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/quickkeysmenu.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/quickkeysmenu.cpp
@@ -39,9 +39,6 @@ namespace MWGui
         , mKey(std::vector<keyData>(10))
         , mSelected(nullptr)
         , mActivated(nullptr)
-        , mAssignDialog(nullptr)
-        , mItemSelectionDialog(nullptr)
-        , mMagicSelectionDialog(nullptr)
 
     {
         getWidget(mOkButton, "OKButton");
@@ -74,13 +71,6 @@ namespace MWGui
         }
     }
 
-    QuickKeysMenu::~QuickKeysMenu()
-    {
-        delete mAssignDialog;
-        delete mItemSelectionDialog;
-        delete mMagicSelectionDialog;
-    }
-
     inline void QuickKeysMenu::validate(int index)
     {
         MWWorld::Ptr player = MWMechanics::getPlayer();
@@ -194,7 +184,7 @@ namespace MWGui
 
         // open assign dialog
         if (!mAssignDialog)
-            mAssignDialog = new QuickKeysMenuAssign(this);
+            mAssignDialog = std::make_unique<QuickKeysMenuAssign>(this);
 
         mAssignDialog->setVisible(true);
     }
@@ -208,7 +198,7 @@ namespace MWGui
     {
         if (!mItemSelectionDialog)
         {
-            mItemSelectionDialog = new ItemSelectionDialog("#{sQuickMenu6}");
+            mItemSelectionDialog = std::make_unique<ItemSelectionDialog>("#{sQuickMenu6}");
             mItemSelectionDialog->eventItemSelected += MyGUI::newDelegate(this, &QuickKeysMenu::onAssignItem);
             mItemSelectionDialog->eventDialogCanceled += MyGUI::newDelegate(this, &QuickKeysMenu::onAssignItemCancel);
         }
@@ -223,7 +213,7 @@ namespace MWGui
     {
         if (!mMagicSelectionDialog)
         {
-            mMagicSelectionDialog = new MagicSelectionDialog(this);
+            mMagicSelectionDialog = std::make_unique<MagicSelectionDialog>(this);
         }
         mMagicSelectionDialog->setVisible(true);
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/quickkeysmenu.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/quickkeysmenu.hpp
index 6343dfc879..2c28bfee61 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/quickkeysmenu.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/quickkeysmenu.hpp
@@ -1,15 +1,16 @@
 #ifndef MWGUI_QUICKKEYS_H
 #define MWGUI_QUICKKEYS_H
 
-#include "windowbase.hpp"
+#include <memory>
 
+#include "itemselection.hpp"
 #include "spellmodel.hpp"
+#include "windowbase.hpp"
 
 namespace MWGui
 {
 
     class QuickKeysMenuAssign;
-    class ItemSelectionDialog;
     class MagicSelectionDialog;
     class ItemWidget;
     class SpellView;
@@ -18,7 +19,6 @@ namespace MWGui
     {
     public:
         QuickKeysMenu();
-        ~QuickKeysMenu();
 
         void onResChange(int, int) override { center(); }
 
@@ -71,9 +71,9 @@ namespace MWGui
         MyGUI::EditBox* mInstructionLabel;
         MyGUI::Button* mOkButton;
 
-        QuickKeysMenuAssign* mAssignDialog;
-        ItemSelectionDialog* mItemSelectionDialog;
-        MagicSelectionDialog* mMagicSelectionDialog;
+        std::unique_ptr<QuickKeysMenuAssign> mAssignDialog;
+        std::unique_ptr<ItemSelectionDialog> mItemSelectionDialog;
+        std::unique_ptr<MagicSelectionDialog> mMagicSelectionDialog;
 
         void onQuickKeyButtonClicked(MyGUI::Widget* sender);
         void onOkButtonClicked(MyGUI::Widget* sender);
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/recharge.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/recharge.cpp
index 4c6a80540d..cbebb0cc68 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/recharge.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/recharge.cpp
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ void Recharge::onOpen()
 {
     center();
 
-    SortFilterItemModel * model = new SortFilterItemModel(new InventoryItemModel(MWMechanics::getPlayer()));
+    SortFilterItemModel * model = new SortFilterItemModel(std::make_unique<InventoryItemModel>(MWMechanics::getPlayer()));
     model->setFilter(SortFilterItemModel::Filter_OnlyRechargable);
     mBox->setModel(model);
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/repair.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/repair.cpp
index c3d26ee6f0..9917e03f9b 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/repair.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/repair.cpp
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ void Repair::onOpen()
 {
     center();
 
-    SortFilterItemModel * model = new SortFilterItemModel(new InventoryItemModel(MWMechanics::getPlayer()));
+    SortFilterItemModel * model = new SortFilterItemModel(std::make_unique<InventoryItemModel>(MWMechanics::getPlayer()));
     model->setFilter(SortFilterItemModel::Filter_OnlyRepairable);
     mRepairBox->setModel(model);
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/sortfilteritemmodel.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/sortfilteritemmodel.cpp
index 650257736f..09ecdb54e5 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/sortfilteritemmodel.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/sortfilteritemmodel.cpp
@@ -152,14 +152,12 @@ namespace
 namespace MWGui
 {
 
-    SortFilterItemModel::SortFilterItemModel(ItemModel *sourceModel)
+    SortFilterItemModel::SortFilterItemModel(std::unique_ptr<ItemModel> sourceModel)
         : mCategory(Category_All)
         , mFilter(0)
         , mSortByType(true)
-        , mNameFilter("")
-        , mEffectFilter("")
     {
-        mSourceModel = sourceModel;
+        mSourceModel = std::move(sourceModel);
     }
 
     bool SortFilterItemModel::allowedToUseItems() const
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/sortfilteritemmodel.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/sortfilteritemmodel.hpp
index 64a01f71bd..2640737a89 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/sortfilteritemmodel.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/sortfilteritemmodel.hpp
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ namespace MWGui
     class SortFilterItemModel : public ProxyItemModel
     {
     public:
-        SortFilterItemModel (ItemModel* sourceModel);
+        SortFilterItemModel(std::unique_ptr<ItemModel> sourceModel);
 
         void update() override;
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/spellwindow.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/spellwindow.cpp
index 20db95fc19..f41990ac41 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/spellwindow.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/spellwindow.cpp
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ namespace MWGui
         , mSpellView(nullptr)
         , mUpdateTimer(0.0f)
     {
-        mSpellIcons = new SpellIcons();
+        mSpellIcons = std::make_unique<SpellIcons>();
 
         MyGUI::Widget* deleteButton;
         getWidget(deleteButton, "DeleteSpellButton");
@@ -54,11 +54,6 @@ namespace MWGui
         mFilterEdit->setSize(filterWidth, mFilterEdit->getSize().height);
     }
 
-    SpellWindow::~SpellWindow()
-    {
-        delete mSpellIcons;
-    }
-
     void SpellWindow::onPinToggled()
     {
         Settings::Manager::setBool("spells pin", "Windows", mPinned);
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/spellwindow.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/spellwindow.hpp
index 786a7d877f..f7176bebd6 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/spellwindow.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/spellwindow.hpp
@@ -1,20 +1,20 @@
 #ifndef MWGUI_SPELLWINDOW_H
 #define MWGUI_SPELLWINDOW_H
 
-#include "windowpinnablebase.hpp"
+#include <memory>
 
+#include "spellicons.hpp"
 #include "spellmodel.hpp"
+#include "windowpinnablebase.hpp"
 
 namespace MWGui
 {
-    class SpellIcons;
     class SpellView;
 
     class SpellWindow : public WindowPinnableBase, public NoDrop
     {
     public:
         SpellWindow(DragAndDrop* drag);
-        virtual ~SpellWindow();
 
         void updateSpells();
 
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ namespace MWGui
         void onOpen() override;
 
         SpellView* mSpellView;
-        SpellIcons* mSpellIcons;
+        std::unique_ptr<SpellIcons> mSpellIcons;
         MyGUI::EditBox* mFilterEdit;
 
     private:
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/tradeitemmodel.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/tradeitemmodel.cpp
index 667832b05d..22973ee91a 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/tradeitemmodel.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/tradeitemmodel.cpp
@@ -10,10 +10,10 @@
 namespace MWGui
 {
 
-    TradeItemModel::TradeItemModel(ItemModel *sourceModel, const MWWorld::Ptr& merchant)
+    TradeItemModel::TradeItemModel(std::unique_ptr<ItemModel> sourceModel, const MWWorld::Ptr& merchant)
         : mMerchant(merchant)
     {
-        mSourceModel = sourceModel;
+        mSourceModel = std::move(sourceModel);
     }
 
     bool TradeItemModel::allowedToUseItems() const
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/tradeitemmodel.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/tradeitemmodel.hpp
index 53b616aeda..5a22bab8d3 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/tradeitemmodel.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/tradeitemmodel.hpp
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ namespace MWGui
     class TradeItemModel : public ProxyItemModel
     {
     public:
-        TradeItemModel (ItemModel* sourceModel, const MWWorld::Ptr& merchant);
+        TradeItemModel(std::unique_ptr<ItemModel> sourceModel, const MWWorld::Ptr& merchant);
 
         bool allowedToUseItems() const override;
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/tradewindow.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/tradewindow.cpp
index 7fe7cc2877..3abe10a6fb 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/tradewindow.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/tradewindow.cpp
@@ -114,9 +114,11 @@ namespace MWGui
         std::vector<MWWorld::Ptr> worldItems;
         MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getItemsOwnedBy(actor, worldItems);
 
-        mTradeModel = new TradeItemModel(new ContainerItemModel(itemSources, worldItems), mPtr);
-        mSortModel = new SortFilterItemModel(mTradeModel);
-        mItemView->setModel (mSortModel);
+        auto tradeModel = std::make_unique<TradeItemModel>(std::make_unique<ContainerItemModel>(itemSources, worldItems), mPtr);
+        mTradeModel = tradeModel.get();
+        auto sortModel = std::make_unique<SortFilterItemModel>(std::move(tradeModel));
+        mSortModel = sortModel.get();
+        mItemView->setModel(std::move(sortModel));
         mItemView->resetScrollBars();
 
         updateLabels();
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/windowmanagerimp.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/windowmanagerimp.cpp
index 600e77ae51..51867fc322 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/windowmanagerimp.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/windowmanagerimp.cpp
@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@
 #include <MyGUI_LanguageManager.h>
 #include <MyGUI_PointerManager.h>
 #include <MyGUI_InputManager.h>
-#include <MyGUI_Gui.h>
 #include <MyGUI_ClipboardManager.h>
 
 // For BT_NO_PROFILE
@@ -24,9 +23,6 @@
 
 #include <components/debug/debuglog.hpp>
 
-#include <components/sdlutil/sdlcursormanager.hpp>
-#include <components/sdlutil/sdlvideowrapper.hpp>
-
 #include <components/esm3/esmreader.hpp>
 #include <components/esm3/esmwriter.hpp>
 
@@ -71,17 +67,13 @@
 #include "../mwmechanics/npcstats.hpp"
 #include "../mwmechanics/actorutil.hpp"
 
-#include "../mwrender/localmap.hpp"
 #include "../mwrender/postprocessor.hpp"
 
 #include "console.hpp"
 #include "journalwindow.hpp"
 #include "journalviewmodel.hpp"
-#include "charactercreation.hpp"
 #include "dialogue.hpp"
 #include "statswindow.hpp"
-#include "messagebox.hpp"
-#include "tooltips.hpp"
 #include "scrollwindow.hpp"
 #include "bookwindow.hpp"
 #include "hud.hpp"
@@ -105,7 +97,6 @@
 #include "cursor.hpp"
 #include "merchantrepair.hpp"
 #include "repair.hpp"
-#include "soulgemdialog.hpp"
 #include "companionwindow.hpp"
 #include "inventorywindow.hpp"
 #include "bookpage.hpp"
@@ -117,7 +108,6 @@
 #include "debugwindow.hpp"
 #include "postprocessorhud.hpp"
 #include "spellview.hpp"
-#include "draganddrop.hpp"
 #include "container.hpp"
 #include "controllers.hpp"
 #include "jailscreen.hpp"
@@ -142,13 +132,9 @@ namespace MWGui
       , mCurrentModals()
       , mHud(nullptr)
       , mMap(nullptr)
-      , mLocalMapRender(nullptr)
-      , mToolTips(nullptr)
       , mStatsWindow(nullptr)
-      , mMessageBoxManager(nullptr)
       , mConsole(nullptr)
       , mDialogueWindow(nullptr)
-      , mDragAndDrop(nullptr)
       , mInventoryWindow(nullptr)
       , mScrollWindow(nullptr)
       , mBookWindow(nullptr)
@@ -160,7 +146,6 @@ namespace MWGui
       , mQuickKeysMenu(nullptr)
       , mLoadingScreen(nullptr)
       , mWaitDialog(nullptr)
-      , mSoulgemDialog(nullptr)
       , mVideoBackground(nullptr)
       , mVideoWidget(nullptr)
       , mWerewolfFader(nullptr)
@@ -172,7 +157,6 @@ namespace MWGui
       , mJailScreen(nullptr)
       , mContainerWindow(nullptr)
       , mTranslationDataStorage (translationDataStorage)
-      , mCharGen(nullptr)
       , mInputBlocker(nullptr)
       , mCrosshairEnabled(Settings::Manager::getBool ("crosshair", "HUD"))
       , mSubtitlesEnabled(Settings::Manager::getBool ("subtitles", "GUI"))
@@ -182,9 +166,7 @@ namespace MWGui
       , mCursorVisible(true)
       , mCursorActive(true)
       , mPlayerBounty(-1)
-      , mGui(nullptr)
       , mGuiModes()
-      , mCursorManager(nullptr)
       , mGarbageDialogs()
       , mShown(GW_ALL)
       , mForceHidden(GW_None)
@@ -196,11 +178,11 @@ namespace MWGui
       , mWindowVisible(true)
     {
         mScalingFactor = std::clamp(Settings::Manager::getFloat("scaling factor", "GUI"), 0.5f, 8.f);
-        mGuiPlatform = new osgMyGUI::Platform(viewer, guiRoot, resourceSystem->getImageManager(),
+        mGuiPlatform = std::make_unique<osgMyGUI::Platform>(viewer, guiRoot, resourceSystem->getImageManager(),
             resourceSystem->getVFS(), mScalingFactor, "mygui",
             (std::filesystem::path(logpath) / "MyGUI.log").generic_string());
 
-        mGui = new MyGUI::Gui;
+        mGui = std::make_unique<MyGUI::Gui>();
         mGui->initialise("");
 
         createTextures();
@@ -242,11 +224,12 @@ namespace MWGui
         mKeyboardNavigation->setEnabled(keyboardNav);
         Gui::ImageButton::setDefaultNeedKeyFocus(keyboardNav);
 
-        mLoadingScreen = new LoadingScreen(mResourceSystem, mViewer);
-        mWindows.push_back(mLoadingScreen);
+        auto loadingScreen = std::make_unique<LoadingScreen>(mResourceSystem, mViewer);
+        mLoadingScreen = loadingScreen.get();
+        mWindows.push_back(std::move(loadingScreen));
 
         //set up the hardware cursor manager
-        mCursorManager = new SDLUtil::SDLCursorManager();
+        mCursorManager = std::make_unique<SDLUtil::SDLCursorManager>();
 
         MyGUI::PointerManager::getInstance().eventChangeMousePointer += MyGUI::newDelegate(this, &WindowManager::onCursorChange);
 
@@ -281,7 +264,7 @@ namespace MWGui
 
         mShowOwned = Settings::Manager::getInt("show owned", "Game");
 
-        mVideoWrapper = new SDLUtil::VideoWrapper(window, viewer);
+        mVideoWrapper = std::make_unique<SDLUtil::VideoWrapper>(window, viewer);
         mVideoWrapper->setGammaContrast(Settings::Manager::getFloat("gamma", "Video"),
                                         Settings::Manager::getFloat("contrast", "Video"));
 
@@ -299,157 +282,176 @@ namespace MWGui
 
         mTextColours.loadColours();
 
-        mDragAndDrop = new DragAndDrop();
+        mDragAndDrop = std::make_unique<DragAndDrop>();
 
-        Recharge* recharge = new Recharge();
-        mGuiModeStates[GM_Recharge] = GuiModeState(recharge);
-        mWindows.push_back(recharge);
+        auto recharge = std::make_unique<Recharge>();
+        mGuiModeStates[GM_Recharge] = GuiModeState(recharge.get());
+        mWindows.push_back(std::move(recharge));
 
-        MainMenu* menu = new MainMenu(w, h, mResourceSystem->getVFS(), mVersionDescription);
-        mGuiModeStates[GM_MainMenu] = GuiModeState(menu);
-        mWindows.push_back(menu);
+        auto menu = std::make_unique<MainMenu>(w, h, mResourceSystem->getVFS(), mVersionDescription);
+        mGuiModeStates[GM_MainMenu] = GuiModeState(menu.get());
+        mWindows.push_back(std::move(menu));
 
-        mLocalMapRender = new MWRender::LocalMap(mViewer->getSceneData()->asGroup());
-        mMap = new MapWindow(mCustomMarkers, mDragAndDrop, mLocalMapRender, mWorkQueue);
-        mWindows.push_back(mMap);
+        mLocalMapRender = std::make_unique<MWRender::LocalMap>(mViewer->getSceneData()->asGroup());
+        auto map = std::make_unique<MapWindow>(mCustomMarkers, mDragAndDrop.get(), mLocalMapRender.get(), mWorkQueue);
+        mMap = map.get();
+        mWindows.push_back(std::move(map));
         mMap->renderGlobalMap();
         trackWindow(mMap, "map");
 
-        mStatsWindow = new StatsWindow(mDragAndDrop);
-        mWindows.push_back(mStatsWindow);
+        auto statsWindow = std::make_unique<StatsWindow>(mDragAndDrop.get());
+        mStatsWindow = statsWindow.get();
+        mWindows.push_back(std::move(statsWindow));
         trackWindow(mStatsWindow, "stats");
 
-        mInventoryWindow = new InventoryWindow(mDragAndDrop, mViewer->getSceneData()->asGroup(), mResourceSystem);
-        mWindows.push_back(mInventoryWindow);
+        auto inventoryWindow = std::make_unique<InventoryWindow>(mDragAndDrop.get(), mViewer->getSceneData()->asGroup(), mResourceSystem);
+        mInventoryWindow = inventoryWindow.get();
+        mWindows.push_back(std::move(inventoryWindow));
 
-        mSpellWindow = new SpellWindow(mDragAndDrop);
-        mWindows.push_back(mSpellWindow);
+        auto spellWindow = std::make_unique<SpellWindow>(mDragAndDrop.get());
+        mSpellWindow = spellWindow.get();
+        mWindows.push_back(std::move(spellWindow));
         trackWindow(mSpellWindow, "spells");
 
         mGuiModeStates[GM_Inventory] = GuiModeState({mMap, mInventoryWindow, mSpellWindow, mStatsWindow});
         mGuiModeStates[GM_None] = GuiModeState({mMap, mInventoryWindow, mSpellWindow, mStatsWindow});
 
-        mTradeWindow = new TradeWindow();
-        mWindows.push_back(mTradeWindow);
+        auto tradeWindow = std::make_unique<TradeWindow>();
+        mTradeWindow = tradeWindow.get();
+        mWindows.push_back(std::move(tradeWindow));
         trackWindow(mTradeWindow, "barter");
         mGuiModeStates[GM_Barter] = GuiModeState({mInventoryWindow, mTradeWindow});
 
-        mConsole = new Console(w,h, mConsoleOnlyScripts);
-        mWindows.push_back(mConsole);
+        auto console = std::make_unique<Console>(w,h, mConsoleOnlyScripts);
+        mConsole = console.get();
+        mWindows.push_back(std::move(console));
         trackWindow(mConsole, "console");
 
         bool questList = mResourceSystem->getVFS()->exists("textures/tx_menubook_options_over.dds");
-        JournalWindow* journal = JournalWindow::create(JournalViewModel::create (), questList, mEncoding);
-        mWindows.push_back(journal);
-        mGuiModeStates[GM_Journal] = GuiModeState(journal);
+        auto journal = JournalWindow::create(JournalViewModel::create(), questList, mEncoding);
+        mGuiModeStates[GM_Journal] = GuiModeState(journal.get());
         mGuiModeStates[GM_Journal].mCloseSound = "book close";
         mGuiModeStates[GM_Journal].mOpenSound = "book open";
+        mWindows.push_back(std::move(journal));
 
-        mMessageBoxManager = new MessageBoxManager(mStore->get<ESM::GameSetting>().find("fMessageTimePerChar")->mValue.getFloat());
+        mMessageBoxManager = std::make_unique<MessageBoxManager>(mStore->get<ESM::GameSetting>().find("fMessageTimePerChar")->mValue.getFloat());
 
-        SpellBuyingWindow* spellBuyingWindow = new SpellBuyingWindow();
-        mWindows.push_back(spellBuyingWindow);
-        mGuiModeStates[GM_SpellBuying] = GuiModeState(spellBuyingWindow);
+        auto spellBuyingWindow = std::make_unique<SpellBuyingWindow>();
+        mGuiModeStates[GM_SpellBuying] = GuiModeState(spellBuyingWindow.get());
+        mWindows.push_back(std::move(spellBuyingWindow));
 
-        TravelWindow* travelWindow = new TravelWindow();
-        mWindows.push_back(travelWindow);
-        mGuiModeStates[GM_Travel] = GuiModeState(travelWindow);
+        auto travelWindow = std::make_unique<TravelWindow>();
+        mGuiModeStates[GM_Travel] = GuiModeState(travelWindow.get());
+        mWindows.push_back(std::move(travelWindow));
 
-        mDialogueWindow = new DialogueWindow();
-        mWindows.push_back(mDialogueWindow);
+        auto dialogueWindow = std::make_unique<DialogueWindow>();
+        mDialogueWindow = dialogueWindow.get();
+        mWindows.push_back(std::move(dialogueWindow));
         trackWindow(mDialogueWindow, "dialogue");
         mGuiModeStates[GM_Dialogue] = GuiModeState(mDialogueWindow);
         mTradeWindow->eventTradeDone += MyGUI::newDelegate(mDialogueWindow, &DialogueWindow::onTradeComplete);
 
-        mContainerWindow = new ContainerWindow(mDragAndDrop);
-        mWindows.push_back(mContainerWindow);
+        auto containerWindow = std::make_unique<ContainerWindow>(mDragAndDrop.get());
+        mContainerWindow = containerWindow.get();
+        mWindows.push_back(std::move(containerWindow));
         trackWindow(mContainerWindow, "container");
         mGuiModeStates[GM_Container] = GuiModeState({mContainerWindow, mInventoryWindow});
 
-        mHud = new HUD(mCustomMarkers, mDragAndDrop, mLocalMapRender);
-        mWindows.push_back(mHud);
+        auto hud = std::make_unique<HUD>(mCustomMarkers, mDragAndDrop.get(), mLocalMapRender.get());
+        mHud = hud.get();
+        mWindows.push_back(std::move(hud));
 
-        mToolTips = new ToolTips();
+        mToolTips = std::make_unique<ToolTips>();
 
-        mScrollWindow = new ScrollWindow();
-        mWindows.push_back(mScrollWindow);
+        auto scrollWindow = std::make_unique<ScrollWindow>();
+        mScrollWindow = scrollWindow.get();
+        mWindows.push_back(std::move(scrollWindow));
         mGuiModeStates[GM_Scroll] = GuiModeState(mScrollWindow);
         mGuiModeStates[GM_Scroll].mOpenSound = "scroll";
         mGuiModeStates[GM_Scroll].mCloseSound = "scroll";
 
-        mBookWindow = new BookWindow();
-        mWindows.push_back(mBookWindow);
+        auto bookWindow = std::make_unique<BookWindow>();
+        mBookWindow = bookWindow.get();
+        mWindows.push_back(std::move(bookWindow));
         mGuiModeStates[GM_Book] = GuiModeState(mBookWindow);
         mGuiModeStates[GM_Book].mOpenSound = "book open";
         mGuiModeStates[GM_Book].mCloseSound = "book close";
 
-        mCountDialog = new CountDialog();
-        mWindows.push_back(mCountDialog);
+        auto countDialog = std::make_unique<CountDialog>();
+        mCountDialog = countDialog.get();
+        mWindows.push_back(std::move(countDialog));
 
-        mSettingsWindow = new SettingsWindow();
-        mWindows.push_back(mSettingsWindow);
+        auto settingsWindow = std::make_unique<SettingsWindow>();
+        mSettingsWindow = settingsWindow.get();
+        mWindows.push_back(std::move(settingsWindow));
         trackWindow(mSettingsWindow, "settings");
         mGuiModeStates[GM_Settings] = GuiModeState(mSettingsWindow);
 
-        mConfirmationDialog = new ConfirmationDialog();
-        mWindows.push_back(mConfirmationDialog);
+        auto confirmationDialog = std::make_unique<ConfirmationDialog>();
+        mConfirmationDialog = confirmationDialog.get();
+        mWindows.push_back(std::move(confirmationDialog));
 
-        AlchemyWindow* alchemyWindow = new AlchemyWindow();
-        mWindows.push_back(alchemyWindow);
-        trackWindow(alchemyWindow, "alchemy");
-        mGuiModeStates[GM_Alchemy] = GuiModeState(alchemyWindow);
+        auto alchemyWindow = std::make_unique<AlchemyWindow>();
+        trackWindow(alchemyWindow.get(), "alchemy");
+        mGuiModeStates[GM_Alchemy] = GuiModeState(alchemyWindow.get());
+        mWindows.push_back(std::move(alchemyWindow));
 
-        mQuickKeysMenu = new QuickKeysMenu();
-        mWindows.push_back(mQuickKeysMenu);
+        auto quickKeysMenu = std::make_unique<QuickKeysMenu>();
+        mQuickKeysMenu = quickKeysMenu.get();
+        mWindows.push_back(std::move(quickKeysMenu));
         mGuiModeStates[GM_QuickKeysMenu] = GuiModeState(mQuickKeysMenu);
 
-        LevelupDialog* levelupDialog = new LevelupDialog();
-        mWindows.push_back(levelupDialog);
-        mGuiModeStates[GM_Levelup] = GuiModeState(levelupDialog);
+        auto levelupDialog = std::make_unique<LevelupDialog>();
+        mGuiModeStates[GM_Levelup] = GuiModeState(levelupDialog.get());
+        mWindows.push_back(std::move(levelupDialog));
 
-        mWaitDialog = new WaitDialog();
-        mWindows.push_back(mWaitDialog);
+        auto waitDialog = std::make_unique<WaitDialog>();
+        mWaitDialog = waitDialog.get();
+        mWindows.push_back(std::move(waitDialog));
         mGuiModeStates[GM_Rest] = GuiModeState({mWaitDialog->getProgressBar(), mWaitDialog});
 
-        SpellCreationDialog* spellCreationDialog = new SpellCreationDialog();
-        mWindows.push_back(spellCreationDialog);
-        mGuiModeStates[GM_SpellCreation] = GuiModeState(spellCreationDialog);
+        auto spellCreationDialog = std::make_unique<SpellCreationDialog>();
+        mGuiModeStates[GM_SpellCreation] = GuiModeState(spellCreationDialog.get());
+        mWindows.push_back(std::move(spellCreationDialog));
 
-        EnchantingDialog* enchantingDialog = new EnchantingDialog();
-        mWindows.push_back(enchantingDialog);
-        mGuiModeStates[GM_Enchanting] = GuiModeState(enchantingDialog);
+        auto enchantingDialog = std::make_unique<EnchantingDialog>();
+        mGuiModeStates[GM_Enchanting] = GuiModeState(enchantingDialog.get());
+        mWindows.push_back(std::move(enchantingDialog));
 
-        TrainingWindow* trainingWindow = new TrainingWindow();
-        mWindows.push_back(trainingWindow);
-        mGuiModeStates[GM_Training] = GuiModeState({trainingWindow->getProgressBar(), trainingWindow});
+        auto trainingWindow = std::make_unique<TrainingWindow>();
+        mGuiModeStates[GM_Training] = GuiModeState({trainingWindow->getProgressBar(), trainingWindow.get()});
+        mWindows.push_back(std::move(trainingWindow));
 
-        MerchantRepair* merchantRepair = new MerchantRepair();
-        mWindows.push_back(merchantRepair);
-        mGuiModeStates[GM_MerchantRepair] = GuiModeState(merchantRepair);
+        auto merchantRepair = std::make_unique<MerchantRepair>();
+        mGuiModeStates[GM_MerchantRepair] = GuiModeState(merchantRepair.get());
+        mWindows.push_back(std::move(merchantRepair));
 
-        Repair* repair = new Repair();
-        mWindows.push_back(repair);
-        mGuiModeStates[GM_Repair] = GuiModeState(repair);
+        auto repair = std::make_unique<Repair>();
+        mGuiModeStates[GM_Repair] = GuiModeState(repair.get());
+        mWindows.push_back(std::move(repair));
 
-        mSoulgemDialog = new SoulgemDialog(mMessageBoxManager);
+        mSoulgemDialog = std::make_unique<SoulgemDialog>(mMessageBoxManager.get());
 
-        CompanionWindow* companionWindow = new CompanionWindow(mDragAndDrop, mMessageBoxManager);
-        mWindows.push_back(companionWindow);
-        trackWindow(companionWindow, "companion");
-        mGuiModeStates[GM_Companion] = GuiModeState({mInventoryWindow, companionWindow});
+        auto companionWindow = std::make_unique<CompanionWindow>(mDragAndDrop.get(), mMessageBoxManager.get());
+        trackWindow(companionWindow.get(), "companion");
+        mGuiModeStates[GM_Companion] = GuiModeState({mInventoryWindow, companionWindow.get()});
+        mWindows.push_back(std::move(companionWindow));
 
-        mJailScreen = new JailScreen();
-        mWindows.push_back(mJailScreen);
+        auto jailScreen = std::make_unique<JailScreen>();
+        mJailScreen = jailScreen.get();
+        mWindows.push_back(std::move(jailScreen));
         mGuiModeStates[GM_Jail] = GuiModeState(mJailScreen);
 
         std::string werewolfFaderTex = "textures\\werewolfoverlay.dds";
         if (mResourceSystem->getVFS()->exists(werewolfFaderTex))
         {
-            mWerewolfFader = new ScreenFader(werewolfFaderTex);
-            mWindows.push_back(mWerewolfFader);
+            auto werewolfFader = std::make_unique<ScreenFader>(werewolfFaderTex);
+            mWerewolfFader = werewolfFader.get();
+            mWindows.push_back(std::move(werewolfFader));
         }
-        mBlindnessFader = new ScreenFader("black");
-        mWindows.push_back(mBlindnessFader);
+        auto blindnessFader = std::make_unique<ScreenFader>("black");
+        mBlindnessFader = blindnessFader.get();
+        mWindows.push_back(std::move(blindnessFader));
 
         // fall back to player_hit_01.dds if bm_player_hit_01.dds is not available
         std::string hitFaderTexture = "textures\\bm_player_hit_01.dds";
@@ -460,24 +462,28 @@ namespace MWGui
             hitFaderTexture = "textures\\player_hit_01.dds";
             hitFaderCoord = MyGUI::FloatCoord(0.2, 0.25, 0.6, 0.5);
         }
-        mHitFader = new ScreenFader(hitFaderTexture, hitFaderLayout, hitFaderCoord);
-        mWindows.push_back(mHitFader);
+        auto hitFader = std::make_unique<ScreenFader>(hitFaderTexture, hitFaderLayout, hitFaderCoord);
+        mHitFader = hitFader.get();
+        mWindows.push_back(std::move(hitFader));
 
-        mScreenFader = new ScreenFader("black");
-        mWindows.push_back(mScreenFader);
+        auto screenFader = std::make_unique<ScreenFader>("black");
+        mScreenFader = screenFader.get();
+        mWindows.push_back(std::move(screenFader));
 
-        mDebugWindow = new DebugWindow();
-        mWindows.push_back(mDebugWindow);
+        auto debugWindow = std::make_unique<DebugWindow>();
+        mDebugWindow = debugWindow.get();
+        mWindows.push_back(std::move(debugWindow));
 
-        mPostProcessorHud = new PostProcessorHud();
-        mWindows.push_back(mPostProcessorHud);
+        auto postProcessorHud = std::make_unique<PostProcessorHud>();
+        mPostProcessorHud = postProcessorHud.get();
+        mWindows.push_back(std::move(postProcessorHud));
         trackWindow(mPostProcessorHud, "postprocessor");
 
         mInputBlocker = MyGUI::Gui::getInstance().createWidget<MyGUI::Widget>("",0,0,w,h,MyGUI::Align::Stretch,"InputBlocker");
 
         mHud->setVisible(true);
 
-        mCharGen = new CharacterCreation(mViewer->getSceneData()->asGroup(), mResourceSystem);
+        mCharGen = std::make_unique<CharacterCreation>(mViewer->getSceneData()->asGroup(), mResourceSystem);
 
         updatePinnedWindows();
 
@@ -486,7 +492,7 @@ namespace MWGui
 
         mStatsWatcher->addListener(mHud);
         mStatsWatcher->addListener(mStatsWindow);
-        mStatsWatcher->addListener(mCharGen);
+        mStatsWatcher->addListener(mCharGen.get());
     }
 
     int WindowManager::getFontHeight() const
@@ -500,10 +506,9 @@ namespace MWGui
         {
             disallowAll();
 
-            mStatsWatcher->removeListener(mCharGen);
-            delete mCharGen;
-            mCharGen = new CharacterCreation(mViewer->getSceneData()->asGroup(), mResourceSystem);
-            mStatsWatcher->addListener(mCharGen);
+            mStatsWatcher->removeListener(mCharGen.get());
+            mCharGen = std::make_unique<CharacterCreation>(mViewer->getSceneData()->asGroup(), mResourceSystem);
+            mStatsWatcher->addListener(mCharGen.get());
         }
         else
             allow(GW_ALL);
@@ -525,17 +530,9 @@ namespace MWGui
             MyGUI::ClipboardManager::getInstance().eventClipboardChanged.clear();
             MyGUI::ClipboardManager::getInstance().eventClipboardRequested.clear();
 
-            for (WindowBase* window : mWindows)
-                delete window;
             mWindows.clear();
-
-            delete mMessageBoxManager;
-            delete mLocalMapRender;
-            delete mCharGen;
-            delete mDragAndDrop;
-            delete mSoulgemDialog;
-            delete mCursorManager;
-            delete mToolTips;
+            mMessageBoxManager.reset();
+            mToolTips.reset();
 
             mKeyboardNavigation.reset();
 
@@ -544,11 +541,8 @@ namespace MWGui
             mFontLoader.reset();
 
             mGui->shutdown();
-            delete mGui;
 
             mGuiPlatform->shutdown();
-            delete mGuiPlatform;
-            delete mVideoWrapper;
         }
         catch(const MyGUI::Exception& e)
         {
@@ -700,7 +694,7 @@ namespace MWGui
         }
 
         GuiModeState& state = mGuiModeStates[mGuiModes.back()];
-        for (WindowBase* window : state.mWindows)
+        for (const auto& window : state.mWindows)
         {
             if (!window->exit())
             {
@@ -773,7 +767,7 @@ namespace MWGui
         mMessageBoxManager->removeStaticMessageBox();
     }
 
-    const std::vector<MWGui::MessageBox*> WindowManager::getActiveMessageBoxes()
+    const std::vector<std::unique_ptr<MWGui::MessageBox>>& WindowManager::getActiveMessageBoxes() const
     {
         return mMessageBoxManager->getActiveMessageBoxes();
     }
@@ -1164,7 +1158,7 @@ namespace MWGui
             it->first->setSize(size);
         }
 
-        for (WindowBase* window : mWindows)
+        for (const auto& window : mWindows)
             window->onResChange(x, y);
 
         // TODO: check if any windows are now off-screen and move them back if so
@@ -1726,7 +1720,7 @@ namespace MWGui
     {
         mPlayerBounty = -1;
 
-        for (WindowBase* window : mWindows)
+        for (const auto& window : mWindows)
             window->clear();
 
         if (mLocalMapRender)
@@ -2270,8 +2264,8 @@ namespace MWGui
 
     void WindowManager::GuiModeState::update(bool visible)
     {
-        for (unsigned int i=0; i<mWindows.size(); ++i)
-            mWindows[i]->setVisible(visible);
+        for (const auto& window : mWindows)
+            window->setVisible(visible);
     }
 
     void WindowManager::watchActor(const MWWorld::Ptr& ptr)
@@ -2299,7 +2293,7 @@ namespace MWGui
 
     void WindowManager::onDeleteCustomData(const MWWorld::Ptr& ptr)
     {
-        for(auto* window : mWindows)
+        for(const auto& window : mWindows)
             window->onDeleteCustomData(ptr);
     }
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/windowmanagerimp.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/windowmanagerimp.hpp
index 0b506d17a2..107bfdeb75 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/windowmanagerimp.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/windowmanagerimp.hpp
@@ -14,22 +14,32 @@
 #include <osg/ref_ptr>
 
 #include "../mwbase/windowmanager.hpp"
+#include "../mwrender/localmap.hpp"
 
+#include <components/misc/guarded.hpp>
+#include <components/myguiplatform/myguiplatform.hpp>
 #include <components/sdlutil/events.hpp>
+#include <components/sdlutil/sdlcursormanager.hpp>
+#include <components/sdlutil/sdlvideowrapper.hpp>
 #include <components/settings/settings.hpp>
 #include <components/to_utf8/to_utf8.hpp>
-#include <components/misc/guarded.hpp>
 
+#include "charactercreation.hpp"
+#include "draganddrop.hpp"
 #include "mapwindow.hpp"
+#include "messagebox.hpp"
+#include "soulgemdialog.hpp"
 #include "statswatcher.hpp"
 #include "textcolours.hpp"
+#include "tooltips.hpp"
+#include "windowbase.hpp"
 
+#include <MyGUI_Gui.h>
 #include <MyGUI_KeyCode.h>
 #include <MyGUI_Types.h>
 
 namespace MyGUI
 {
-    class Gui;
     class Widget;
     class Window;
     class UString;
@@ -70,42 +80,21 @@ namespace SceneUtil
     class WorkQueue;
 }
 
-namespace SDLUtil
-{
-    class SDLCursorManager;
-    class VideoWrapper;
-}
-
-namespace osgMyGUI
-{
-    class Platform;
-}
-
 namespace Gui
 {
     class FontLoader;
 }
 
-namespace MWRender
-{
-    class LocalMap;
-}
-
 namespace MWGui
 {
-  class WindowBase;
   class HUD;
   class MapWindow;
   class MainMenu;
   class StatsWindow;
   class InventoryWindow;
   struct JournalWindow;
-  class CharacterCreation;
-  class DragAndDrop;
-  class ToolTips;
   class TextInputDialog;
   class InfoBoxDialog;
-  class MessageBoxManager;
   class SettingsWindow;
   class AlchemyWindow;
   class QuickKeysMenu;
@@ -117,7 +106,6 @@ namespace MWGui
   class TrainingWindow;
   class SpellIcons;
   class MerchantRepair;
-  class SoulgemDialog;
   class Recharge;
   class CompanionWindow;
   class VideoWidget;
@@ -190,7 +178,7 @@ namespace MWGui
     MWGui::CountDialog* getCountDialog() override;
     MWGui::ConfirmationDialog* getConfirmationDialog() override;
     MWGui::TradeWindow* getTradeWindow() override;
-    const std::vector<MWGui::MessageBox*> getActiveMessageBoxes() override;
+    const std::vector<std::unique_ptr<MWGui::MessageBox>>& getActiveMessageBoxes() const override;
     MWGui::PostProcessorHud* getPostProcessorHud() override;
 
     /// Make the player use an item, while updating GUI state accordingly
@@ -401,7 +389,7 @@ namespace MWGui
     Resource::ResourceSystem* mResourceSystem;
     osg::ref_ptr<SceneUtil::WorkQueue> mWorkQueue;
 
-    osgMyGUI::Platform* mGuiPlatform;
+    std::unique_ptr<osgMyGUI::Platform> mGuiPlatform;
     osgViewer::Viewer* mViewer;
 
     std::unique_ptr<Gui::FontLoader> mFontLoader;
@@ -424,13 +412,13 @@ namespace MWGui
 
     HUD *mHud;
     MapWindow *mMap;
-    MWRender::LocalMap* mLocalMapRender;
-    ToolTips *mToolTips;
+    std::unique_ptr<MWRender::LocalMap> mLocalMapRender;
+    std::unique_ptr<ToolTips> mToolTips;
     StatsWindow *mStatsWindow;
-    MessageBoxManager *mMessageBoxManager;
+    std::unique_ptr<MessageBoxManager> mMessageBoxManager;
     Console *mConsole;
     DialogueWindow *mDialogueWindow;
-    DragAndDrop* mDragAndDrop;
+    std::unique_ptr<DragAndDrop> mDragAndDrop;
     InventoryWindow *mInventoryWindow;
     ScrollWindow* mScrollWindow;
     BookWindow* mBookWindow;
@@ -442,7 +430,7 @@ namespace MWGui
     QuickKeysMenu* mQuickKeysMenu;
     LoadingScreen* mLoadingScreen;
     WaitDialog* mWaitDialog;
-    SoulgemDialog* mSoulgemDialog;
+    std::unique_ptr<SoulgemDialog> mSoulgemDialog;
     MyGUI::ImageBox* mVideoBackground;
     VideoWidget* mVideoWidget;
     ScreenFader* mWerewolfFader;
@@ -454,11 +442,11 @@ namespace MWGui
     JailScreen* mJailScreen;
     ContainerWindow* mContainerWindow;
 
-    std::vector<WindowBase*> mWindows;
+    std::vector<std::unique_ptr<WindowBase>> mWindows;
 
     Translation::Storage& mTranslationDataStorage;
 
-    CharacterCreation* mCharGen;
+    std::unique_ptr<CharacterCreation> mCharGen;
 
     MyGUI::Widget* mInputBlocker;
 
@@ -474,7 +462,7 @@ namespace MWGui
 
     void setCursorVisible(bool visible) override;
 
-    MyGUI::Gui *mGui; // Gui
+    std::unique_ptr<MyGUI::Gui> mGui; // Gui
 
     struct GuiModeState
     {
@@ -498,7 +486,7 @@ namespace MWGui
     // The currently active stack of GUI modes (top mode is the one we are in).
     std::vector<GuiMode> mGuiModes;
 
-    SDLUtil::SDLCursorManager* mCursorManager;
+    std::unique_ptr<SDLUtil::SDLCursorManager> mCursorManager;
 
     std::vector<std::unique_ptr<Layout>> mGarbageDialogs;
     void cleanupGarbage();
@@ -531,7 +519,7 @@ namespace MWGui
 
     std::unique_ptr<KeyboardNavigation> mKeyboardNavigation;
 
-    SDLUtil::VideoWrapper* mVideoWrapper;
+    std::unique_ptr<SDLUtil::VideoWrapper> mVideoWrapper;
 
     float mScalingFactor;
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwinput/actionmanager.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwinput/actionmanager.cpp
index 458066a5ee..610f88cef9 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwinput/actionmanager.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwinput/actionmanager.cpp
@@ -97,8 +97,8 @@ namespace MWInput
                 if (playerPtr.getClass().getEncumbrance(playerPtr) > playerPtr.getClass().getCapacity(playerPtr))
                 {
                     player.setAutoMove (false);
-                    std::vector<MWGui::MessageBox*> msgboxs = MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->getActiveMessageBoxes();
-                    const std::vector<MWGui::MessageBox*>::iterator it = std::find_if(msgboxs.begin(), msgboxs.end(), [](MWGui::MessageBox*& msgbox)
+                    const auto& msgboxs = MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->getActiveMessageBoxes();
+                    auto it = std::find_if(msgboxs.begin(), msgboxs.end(), [](const std::unique_ptr<MWGui::MessageBox>& msgbox)
                     {
                         return (msgbox->getMessage() == "#{sNotifyMessage59}");
                     });