diff --git a/cplusplus/extensions/pqc_extensionmethods.cpp b/cplusplus/extensions/pqc_extensionmethods.cpp
index e77fa66ae..d5055f7d5 100644
--- a/cplusplus/extensions/pqc_extensionmethods.cpp
+++ b/cplusplus/extensions/pqc_extensionmethods.cpp
@@ -137,15 +137,15 @@ QString PQCExtensionMethods::path2ImageProvider(QString path, bool thumb) {
         return "";
 
     if(thumb)
-        return "image://thumb/" % path;
+        return "image://thumb/" + path;
 
     QFileInfo info(path);
     const QString suf = info.suffix().toLower();
 
     if(suf == "svg" || suf == "svgz")
-        return "image://svg/" % path;
+        return "image://svg/" + path;
 
-    return "image://full/" % path;
+    return "image://full/" + path;
 
 }
 
diff --git a/cplusplus/extensions/pqc_extensionshandler.cpp b/cplusplus/extensions/pqc_extensionshandler.cpp
index 237d53df2..3b8e3ca82 100644
--- a/cplusplus/extensions/pqc_extensionshandler.cpp
+++ b/cplusplus/extensions/pqc_extensionshandler.cpp
@@ -113,22 +113,22 @@ void PQCExtensionsHandler::setup() {
 #ifdef Q_OS_UNIX
     #ifdef NDEBUG
       #ifdef PQMAPPIMAGEBUILD
-        m_systemExtensionDir = QCoreApplication::applicationDirPath() % "/../" % QString(PQMSHAREDLIBDIR) % "/PhotoQt/extensions";
+        m_systemExtensionDir = QCoreApplication::applicationDirPath() + "/../" + QString(PQMSHAREDLIBDIR) + "/PhotoQt/extensions";
         const QStringList checkDirs = {PQCConfigFiles::get().EXTENSION_DATA_DIR(),
                                        m_systemExtensionDir};
       #else
-        m_systemExtensionDir = QString(PQMINSTALLPREFIX) % "/" % QString(PQMSHAREDLIBDIR) % "/PhotoQt/extensions";
+        m_systemExtensionDir = QString(PQMINSTALLPREFIX) + "/" + QString(PQMSHAREDLIBDIR) + "/PhotoQt/extensions";
         const QStringList checkDirs = {PQCConfigFiles::get().EXTENSION_DATA_DIR(),
                                        m_systemExtensionDir};
       #endif
     #else
-        m_systemExtensionDir = QString(PQMBUILDDIR) %  ("/extensions");
+        m_systemExtensionDir = QString(PQMBUILDDIR) +  ("/extensions");
         const QStringList checkDirs = {m_systemExtensionDir,
                                        PQCConfigFiles::get().EXTENSION_DATA_DIR(),
-                                       QCoreApplication::applicationDirPath() % "/" % QString(PQMSHAREDLIBDIR) % "/PhotoQt/extensions"};
+                                       QCoreApplication::applicationDirPath() + "/" + QString(PQMSHAREDLIBDIR) + "/PhotoQt/extensions"};
     #endif
 #else
-        m_systemExtensionDir = QCoreApplication::applicationDirPath() % "/extensions";
+        m_systemExtensionDir = QCoreApplication::applicationDirPath() + "/extensions";
         const QStringList checkDirs = {PQCConfigFiles::get().EXTENSION_DATA_DIR(),
                                        m_systemExtensionDir};
 #endif
@@ -150,10 +150,10 @@ void PQCExtensionsHandler::setup() {
                 const QString hashId = (isSystemExtension ?
                                             QCryptographicHash::hash(nameId.toUtf8(), QCryptographicHash::Md5).toHex() :
                                             QCryptographicHash::hash(extensionDir.toUtf8(), QCryptographicHash::Md5).toHex());
-                const QString identifyName = nameId % " (" % extensionDir % ")";
+                const QString identifyName = nameId + " (" + extensionDir + ")";
 
                 // if there is a YAML file, then we load that one
-                const QString yamlfile = extensionDir % "/manifest.yml";
+                const QString yamlfile = extensionDir + "/manifest.yml";
                 if(!QFile::exists(yamlfile)) {
 
                     qWarning() << "Required YAML file not found for extension" << identifyName;
@@ -217,7 +217,7 @@ void PQCExtensionsHandler::setup() {
 
                 if(extEnabled) {
                     m_extensions.append(hashId);
-                    const QString qmfile = extinfo->location % "/lang/" % nameId % "_" % PQCScriptsLocalization::get().getActiveTranslationCode() % ".qm";
+                    const QString qmfile = extinfo->location + "/lang/" + nameId + "_" + PQCScriptsLocalization::get().getActiveTranslationCode() + ".qm";
                     if(trans->load(qmfile)) {
                         qDebug() << identifyName << "- installing translation file:" << qmfile;
                         qApp->installTranslator(trans.get());
@@ -269,7 +269,7 @@ bool PQCExtensionsHandler::loadExtension(std::shared_ptr<PQCExtensionInfo> &exti
 
     YAML::Node config;
 
-    const QString identifyName = nameId % " (" % extensionDir % ")";
+    const QString identifyName = nameId + " (" + extensionDir + ")";
 
     // LOAD yaml file
     try {
@@ -368,14 +368,14 @@ bool PQCExtensionsHandler::loadExtension(std::shared_ptr<PQCExtensionInfo> &exti
     // check localizations for name
     for(const QString &lang : langLst) {
         try {
-            const std::string langStr = QString("name[" % lang % "]").toStdString();
+            const std::string langStr = QString("name[" + lang + "]").toStdString();
             if(config["about"][langStr].IsDefined()) {
                 const QString val = QString::fromStdString(config["about"][langStr].as<std::string>());
                 extinfo->nameLocalized[lang] = val;
             } else {
                 const int langIdx = lang.indexOf("_");
                 if(langIdx > -1) {
-                    const std::string lang_Str = QString("name[" % lang.mid(0,langIdx) % "]").toStdString();
+                    const std::string lang_Str = QString("name[" + lang.mid(0,langIdx) + "]").toStdString();
                     if(config["about"][lang_Str].IsDefined()) {
                         const QString val = QString::fromStdString(config["about"][lang_Str].as<std::string>());
                         extinfo->nameLocalized[lang] = val;
@@ -388,14 +388,14 @@ bool PQCExtensionsHandler::loadExtension(std::shared_ptr<PQCExtensionInfo> &exti
     for(const QString &lang : langLst) {
         if(haveProperLongName) {
             try {
-                const std::string langStr = QString("longName[" % lang % "]").toStdString();
+                const std::string langStr = QString("longName[" + lang + "]").toStdString();
                 if(config["about"][langStr].IsDefined()) {
                     const QString val = QString::fromStdString(config["about"][langStr].as<std::string>());
                     extinfo->longNameLocalized[lang] = val;
                 } else {
                     const int langIdx = lang.indexOf("_");
                     if(langIdx > -1) {
-                        const std::string lang_Str = QString("longName[" % lang.mid(0,langIdx) % "]").toStdString();
+                        const std::string lang_Str = QString("longName[" + lang.mid(0,langIdx) + "]").toStdString();
                         if(config["about"][lang_Str].IsDefined()){
                             const QString val = QString::fromStdString(config["about"][lang_Str].as<std::string>());
                             extinfo->longNameLocalized[lang] = val;
@@ -409,14 +409,14 @@ bool PQCExtensionsHandler::loadExtension(std::shared_ptr<PQCExtensionInfo> &exti
     // check localizations for description
     for(const QString &lang : langLst) {
         try {
-            const std::string langStr = QString("description[" % lang % "]").toStdString();
+            const std::string langStr = QString("description[" + lang + "]").toStdString();
             if(config["about"][langStr].IsDefined()) {
                 const QString val = QString::fromStdString(config["about"][langStr].as<std::string>());
                 extinfo->descriptionLocalized[lang] = val;
             } else {
                 const int langIdx = lang.indexOf("_");
                 if(langIdx > -1) {
-                    const std::string lang_Str = QString("description[" % lang.mid(0,langIdx) % "]").toStdString();
+                    const std::string lang_Str = QString("description[" + lang.mid(0,langIdx) + "]").toStdString();
                     if(config["about"][lang_Str].IsDefined()){
                         const QString val = QString::fromStdString(config["about"][lang_Str].as<std::string>());
                         extinfo->descriptionLocalized[lang] = val;
@@ -579,7 +579,7 @@ bool PQCExtensionsHandler::loadExtension(std::shared_ptr<PQCExtensionInfo> &exti
 
             } else {
 
-                const QString libName = extensionDir % "/" % filList.at(0);
+                const QString libName = extensionDir + "/" + filList.at(0);
 
                 // linker file does not exist
                 if(!QFile::exists(libName)) {
@@ -688,7 +688,7 @@ QString PQCExtensionsHandler::getExtensionLocation(QString id) {
 }
 
 QString PQCExtensionsHandler::getExtensionConfigLocation(QString id) {
-    const QString path = PQCConfigFiles::get().EXTENSION_CONFIG_DIR() % "/" % id;
+    const QString path = PQCConfigFiles::get().EXTENSION_CONFIG_DIR() + "/" + id;
     QDir dir(path);
     if(!dir.exists(path))
         dir.mkpath(path);
@@ -696,7 +696,7 @@ QString PQCExtensionsHandler::getExtensionConfigLocation(QString id) {
 }
 
 QString PQCExtensionsHandler::getExtensionDataLocation(QString id) {
-    const QString path = PQCConfigFiles::get().EXTENSION_DATA_DIR() % "/" % id;
+    const QString path = PQCConfigFiles::get().EXTENSION_DATA_DIR() + "/" + id;
     QDir dir(path);
     if(!dir.exists(path))
         dir.mkpath(path);
@@ -704,7 +704,7 @@ QString PQCExtensionsHandler::getExtensionDataLocation(QString id) {
 }
 
 QString PQCExtensionsHandler::getExtensionCacheLocation(QString id) {
-    const QString path = PQCConfigFiles::get().EXTENSION_CACHE_DIR() % "/" % id;
+    const QString path = PQCConfigFiles::get().EXTENSION_CACHE_DIR() + "/" + id;
     QDir dir(path);
     if(!dir.exists(path))
         dir.mkpath(path);
@@ -948,7 +948,7 @@ bool PQCExtensionsHandler::getExtensionHasCPPActions(QString id) {
 
 bool PQCExtensionsHandler::getHasSettings(const QString &id) {
     if(m_allextensions.contains(id))
-        return QFile::exists(m_allextensions[id]->location % "/qml/" % m_allextensions[id]->nameId % "Settings.qml");
+        return QFile::exists(m_allextensions[id]->location + "/qml/" + m_allextensions[id]->nameId + "Settings.qml");
     qWarning() << "Unknown extension id:" << id;
     return false;
 }
@@ -1066,7 +1066,7 @@ void PQCExtensionsHandler::setEnabledExtensions(const QStringList &ids) {
     m_extensions = ids;
     m_numExtensionsEnabled = m_extensions.length();
     for(const QString &id : ids) {
-        const QString qmfile = m_allextensions.value(id)->location % "/lang/" % id % "_" % PQCScriptsLocalization::get().getActiveTranslationCode() % ".qm";
+        const QString qmfile = m_allextensions.value(id)->location + "/lang/" + id + "_" + PQCScriptsLocalization::get().getActiveTranslationCode() + ".qm";
         if(!QFile::exists(qmfile))
             qDebug() << id << "- no translation file found:" << qmfile;
         else {
@@ -1129,7 +1129,7 @@ int PQCExtensionsHandler::installExtension(QString filepath) {
         msg.setIcon(QMessageBox::Critical);
         msg.setWindowFlag(Qt::WindowStaysOnTopHint);
         msg.setWindowTitle("Invalid extension");
-        msg.setText("The extension does not appear to be valid and cannot be installed.\n\nError message:\n" % meta["error"].toString());
+        msg.setText("The extension does not appear to be valid and cannot be installed.\n\nError message:\n" + meta["error"].toString());
         msg.setStandardButtons(QMessageBox::Ok);
         msg.exec();
 
@@ -1141,12 +1141,12 @@ int PQCExtensionsHandler::installExtension(QString filepath) {
     msg.setIcon(QMessageBox::Question);
     msg.setWindowTitle("Install extension?");
     msg.setWindowFlag(Qt::WindowStaysOnTopHint);
-    msg.setText("Do you want to install this extension?<br><br><b>Name:</b> " % meta["name"].toString() %
-                " (version: " % QString::number(meta["version"].toInt()) %
-                ")<br><b>Description:</b> " % meta["description"].toString() %
-                "<br><b>Author:</b> " % meta["author"].toString() %
-                "<br><b>Contact:</b> " % meta["contact"].toString() %
-                "<br><b>Website:</b> " % meta["website"].toString() % "");
+    msg.setText("Do you want to install this extension?<br><br><b>Name:</b> " + meta["name"].toString() +
+                " (version: " + QString::number(meta["version"].toInt()) +
+                ")<br><b>Description:</b> " + meta["description"].toString() +
+                "<br><b>Author:</b> " + meta["author"].toString() +
+                "<br><b>Contact:</b> " + meta["contact"].toString() +
+                "<br><b>Website:</b> " + meta["website"].toString() + "");
     msg.setTextFormat(Qt::RichText);
     msg.setStandardButtons(QMessageBox::Yes|QMessageBox::No);
     msg.setDefaultButton(QMessageBox::No);
@@ -1192,7 +1192,7 @@ int PQCExtensionsHandler::installExtension(QString filepath) {
         if(!wpath) continue;
         QString filenameinside = QString::fromWCharArray(wpath);
 
-        QString fullpath = PQCConfigFiles::get().DATA_DIR() % "/extensions/" % filenameinside;
+        QString fullpath = PQCConfigFiles::get().DATA_DIR() + "/extensions/" + filenameinside;
 
         if(fullpath.endsWith("/")) {
             if(nameId.isEmpty())
@@ -1272,9 +1272,9 @@ int PQCExtensionsHandler::installExtension(QString filepath) {
 
     if(numFilesSuccess > 0) {
 
-        const QString extensionDir = QFileInfo(PQCConfigFiles::get().EXTENSION_DATA_DIR() % "/" % nameId % "/tmp.txt").absolutePath();
+        const QString extensionDir = QFileInfo(PQCConfigFiles::get().EXTENSION_DATA_DIR() + "/" + nameId + "/tmp.txt").absolutePath();
         const QString hashId = QCryptographicHash::hash(extensionDir.toUtf8(), QCryptographicHash::Md5).toHex();
-        const QString identifyName = nameId % " (" % extensionDir % ")";
+        const QString identifyName = nameId + " (" + extensionDir + ")";
 
         if(m_allextensions.contains(hashId))
             return 2;
@@ -1284,7 +1284,7 @@ int PQCExtensionsHandler::installExtension(QString filepath) {
         extinfo->internalId = hashId;
         extinfo->nameId = nameId;
 
-        QFile fy(extinfo->location % "/manifest.yml");
+        QFile fy(extinfo->location + "/manifest.yml");
         if(!fy.open(QIODevice::ReadOnly)) {
             qWarning() << "Unable to read manifest.yml for reading";
             return -1;
@@ -1339,7 +1339,7 @@ QHash<QString,QVariant> PQCExtensionsHandler::getExtensionZipMetadata(QString fi
     int r = archive_read_open_filename(a, tmpPath.constData(), 10240);
 #endif
     if(r != ARCHIVE_OK) {
-        QString msg = "ERROR: archive_read_open_filename() returned code of " % QString::number(r);
+        QString msg = "ERROR: archive_read_open_filename() returned code of " + QString::number(r);
         qWarning() << msg;
         ret["error"] = msg;
         return ret;
@@ -1365,7 +1365,7 @@ QHash<QString,QVariant> PQCExtensionsHandler::getExtensionZipMetadata(QString fi
             int64_t size = archive_entry_size(entry);
 
             if(size <= 0) {
-                QString msg = "Invalid image size of file in archive: " % QString::number(size);
+                QString msg = "Invalid image size of file in archive: " + QString::number(size);
                 qWarning() << msg;
                 ret["error"] = msg;
                 continue;
@@ -1380,7 +1380,7 @@ QHash<QString,QVariant> PQCExtensionsHandler::getExtensionZipMetadata(QString fi
             while (total < size) {
                 la_ssize_t chunk = archive_read_data(a, ptr + total, size - total);
                 if(chunk < 0) {
-                    QString msg = "Invalid chunk read: " % QString::fromStdString(archive_error_string(a));
+                    QString msg = "Invalid chunk read: " + QString::fromStdString(archive_error_string(a));
                     qWarning() << msg;
                     ret["error"] = msg;
                     break;
@@ -1414,7 +1414,7 @@ QHash<QString,QVariant> PQCExtensionsHandler::getExtensionZipMetadata(QString fi
         try {
             config = YAML::Load(definitionyml.toStdString());
         } catch(YAML::Exception &e) {
-            QString msg = "Failed to load YAML file: " % QString(e.what());
+            QString msg = "Failed to load YAML file: " + QString(e.what());
             qWarning() << msg;
             ret["error"] = msg;
             err = true;
@@ -1425,7 +1425,7 @@ QHash<QString,QVariant> PQCExtensionsHandler::getExtensionZipMetadata(QString fi
             try {
                 ret["about"] = config["about"]["version"].as<int>();
             } catch(YAML::Exception &e) {
-                QString msg = "Failed to read value for 'version': " % QString(e.what());
+                QString msg = "Failed to read value for 'version': " + QString(e.what());
                 qWarning() << msg;
                 ret["error"] = msg;
                 err = true;
@@ -1437,7 +1437,7 @@ QHash<QString,QVariant> PQCExtensionsHandler::getExtensionZipMetadata(QString fi
             try {
                 ret["name"] = QString::fromStdString(config["about"]["name"].as<std::string>());
             } catch(YAML::Exception &e) {
-                QString msg = "Failed to read value for 'name': " % QString(e.what());
+                QString msg = "Failed to read value for 'name': " + QString(e.what());
                 qWarning() << msg;
                 ret["error"] = msg;
                 err = true;
@@ -1449,7 +1449,7 @@ QHash<QString,QVariant> PQCExtensionsHandler::getExtensionZipMetadata(QString fi
             try {
                 ret["description"] = QString::fromStdString(config["about"]["description"].as<std::string>());
             } catch(YAML::Exception &e) {
-                QString msg = "Failed to read value for 'description': " % QString(e.what());
+                QString msg = "Failed to read value for 'description': " + QString(e.what());
                 qWarning() << msg;
                 ret["error"] = msg;
                 err = true;
@@ -1461,7 +1461,7 @@ QHash<QString,QVariant> PQCExtensionsHandler::getExtensionZipMetadata(QString fi
             try {
                 ret["author"] = QString::fromStdString(config["about"]["author"].as<std::string>());
             } catch(YAML::Exception &e) {
-                QString msg = "Failed to read value for 'author': " % QString(e.what());
+                QString msg = "Failed to read value for 'author': " + QString(e.what());
                 qWarning() << msg;
                 ret["error"] = msg;
                 err = true;
@@ -1473,7 +1473,7 @@ QHash<QString,QVariant> PQCExtensionsHandler::getExtensionZipMetadata(QString fi
             try {
                 ret["contact"] = QString::fromStdString(config["about"]["contact"].as<std::string>());
             } catch(YAML::Exception &e) {
-                QString msg = "Failed to read value for 'contact': " % QString(e.what());
+                QString msg = "Failed to read value for 'contact': " + QString(e.what());
                 qWarning() << msg;
                 ret["error"] = msg;
                 err = true;
@@ -1485,7 +1485,7 @@ QHash<QString,QVariant> PQCExtensionsHandler::getExtensionZipMetadata(QString fi
             try {
                 ret["website"] = QString::fromStdString(config["about"]["website"].as<std::string>());
             } catch(YAML::Exception &e) {
-                QString msg = "Failed to read value for 'website': " % QString(e.what());
+                QString msg = "Failed to read value for 'website': " + QString(e.what());
                 qWarning() << msg;
                 ret["error"] = msg;
                 err = true;
@@ -1498,15 +1498,15 @@ QHash<QString,QVariant> PQCExtensionsHandler::getExtensionZipMetadata(QString fi
                 ret["targetAPI"] = config["about"]["targetAPI"].as<int>();
 
                 if(ret["targetAPI"].toInt() > CURRENTAPIVERSION) {
-                    QString msg = "Required API version - " % QString::number(ret["targetAPI"].toInt()) %
-                                  " - newer than what's supported: " % QString::number(CURRENTAPIVERSION);
+                    QString msg = "Required API version - " + QString::number(ret["targetAPI"].toInt()) +
+                                  " - newer than what's supported: " + QString::number(CURRENTAPIVERSION);
                     qWarning() << msg;
                     ret["error"] = msg;
                     err = true;
                 }
 
             } catch(YAML::Exception &e) {
-                QString msg = "Failed to read value for 'targetAPI': " % QString(e.what());
+                QString msg = "Failed to read value for 'targetAPI': " + QString(e.what());
                 qWarning() << msg;
                 ret["error"] = msg;
                 err = true;
@@ -1540,19 +1540,19 @@ bool PQCExtensionsHandler::verifyExtension(QString extensionDir, QString nameId)
 
 #if defined(PQMEXTENSIONS) && defined(PQMEXTENSIONS_NONSYS_OPENSSL)
 
-    const QString identifyName = nameId % " (" % extensionDir % ")";
+    const QString identifyName = nameId + " (" + extensionDir + ")";
 
     /*************************************/
     // first verify signature of manifest
 
-    QFile fmanifest(extensionDir % "/verification.txt");
+    QFile fmanifest(extensionDir + "/verification.txt");
     if(!fmanifest.open(QIODevice::ReadOnly)) {
         qWarning() << identifyName << "- unable to read verification.txt:" << QString("%1/verification.txt").arg(extensionDir);
         return false;
     }
     QByteArray manifest = fmanifest.readAll();
 
-    QFile fmanifestsig(extensionDir % "/verification.txt.sig");
+    QFile fmanifestsig(extensionDir + "/verification.txt.sig");
     if(!fmanifestsig.open(QIODevice::ReadOnly)) {
         qWarning() << identifyName << "- unable to read verification.txt.sig";
         return false;
@@ -1672,7 +1672,7 @@ bool PQCExtensionsHandler::verifyExtension(QString extensionDir, QString nameId)
             return false;
         }
 
-        QFile file(extensionDir % "/" % f);
+        QFile file(extensionDir + "/" + f);
         if(!file.open(QIODevice::ReadOnly)) {
             qWarning() << identifyName << "- unable to read found file:" << f;
             return false;
@@ -1710,11 +1710,11 @@ QStringList PQCExtensionsHandler::listFilesIn(QString dir) {
     const QStringList lstD = d.entryList(QDir::Dirs|QDir::NoDotAndDotDot);
 
     for(const QString &e : lstD)
-        ret << listFilesIn(dir % "/" % e);
+        ret << listFilesIn(dir + "/" + e);
 
     const QStringList lstF = d.entryList(QDir::Files);
     for(const QString &e : lstF)
-        ret << (dir % "/" % e);
+        ret << (dir + "/" + e);
 
     return ret;
 }
@@ -1725,7 +1725,7 @@ void PQCExtensionsHandler::updateTranslationLanguage() {
         qApp->removeTranslator(extTrans.value(id).get());
 
     for(const QString &id : std::as_const(m_extensions)) {
-        const QString qmfile = m_allextensions.value(id)->location % "/lang/" % id % "_" % PQCScriptsLocalization::get().getActiveTranslationCode() % ".qm";
+        const QString qmfile = m_allextensions.value(id)->location + "/lang/" + id + "_" + PQCScriptsLocalization::get().getActiveTranslationCode() + ".qm";
         if(!QFile::exists(qmfile))
             qDebug() << id << "- no translation file found:" << qmfile;
         else {
diff --git a/cplusplus/header/pqc_configfiles.h b/cplusplus/header/pqc_configfiles.h
index bad9cf6b0..27f77f424 100644
--- a/cplusplus/header/pqc_configfiles.h
+++ b/cplusplus/header/pqc_configfiles.h
@@ -125,10 +125,10 @@ public:
     void setThumbnailCacheBaseDir(QString basedir) {
 
 #ifdef PQMPORTABLETWEAKS
-        basedir = qgetenv("PHOTOQT_PORTABLE_DATA_LOCATION") % "/thumbnails/";
+        basedir = qgetenv("PHOTOQT_PORTABLE_DATA_LOCATION") + "/thumbnails/";
 #else
         if(basedir.isEmpty())
-            basedir = QStandardPaths::writableLocation(QStandardPaths::GenericCacheLocation) % "/thumbnails/";
+            basedir = QStandardPaths::writableLocation(QStandardPaths::GenericCacheLocation) + "/thumbnails/";
 #endif
 
         qWarning() << "Setting thumbnail cache base dir to:" << basedir;
@@ -137,10 +137,10 @@ public:
 
         QDir dir(basedir);
         dir.mkpath(PQCConfigFiles::get().THUMBNAIL_CACHE_DIR());
-        dir.mkpath(PQCConfigFiles::get().THUMBNAIL_CACHE_DIR() % "/normal/");
-        dir.mkpath(PQCConfigFiles::get().THUMBNAIL_CACHE_DIR() % "/large/");
-        dir.mkpath(PQCConfigFiles::get().THUMBNAIL_CACHE_DIR() % "/x-large/");
-        dir.mkpath(PQCConfigFiles::get().THUMBNAIL_CACHE_DIR() % "/xx-large/");
+        dir.mkpath(PQCConfigFiles::get().THUMBNAIL_CACHE_DIR() + "/normal/");
+        dir.mkpath(PQCConfigFiles::get().THUMBNAIL_CACHE_DIR() + "/large/");
+        dir.mkpath(PQCConfigFiles::get().THUMBNAIL_CACHE_DIR() + "/x-large/");
+        dir.mkpath(PQCConfigFiles::get().THUMBNAIL_CACHE_DIR() + "/xx-large/");
 
     }
 
@@ -150,17 +150,17 @@ private:
 
 #ifdef PQMPORTABLETWEAKS
         const QString portablefolder = qgetenv("PHOTOQT_PORTABLE_DATA_LOCATION");
-        m_CONFIG_DIR = portablefolder % "/config/";
-        m_DATA_DIR = portablefolder % "/data/";
-        m_CACHE_DIR = portablefolder % "/cache/";
+        m_CONFIG_DIR = portablefolder + "/config/";
+        m_DATA_DIR = portablefolder + "/data/";
+        m_CACHE_DIR = portablefolder + "/cache/";
 #else
         m_CONFIG_DIR = QStandardPaths::writableLocation(QStandardPaths::AppConfigLocation);
         m_DATA_DIR = QStandardPaths::writableLocation(QStandardPaths::AppDataLocation);
         m_CACHE_DIR = QStandardPaths::writableLocation(QStandardPaths::CacheLocation);
 #endif
-        m_EXTENSION_CONFIG_DIR = m_CONFIG_DIR % "/extensions/";
-        m_EXTENSION_DATA_DIR = m_DATA_DIR % "/extensions/";
-        m_EXTENSION_CACHE_DIR = m_CACHE_DIR % "/extensions/";
+        m_EXTENSION_CONFIG_DIR = m_CONFIG_DIR + "/extensions/";
+        m_EXTENSION_DATA_DIR = m_DATA_DIR + "/extensions/";
+        m_EXTENSION_CACHE_DIR = m_CACHE_DIR + "/extensions/";
 
         QDir dir;
         dir.mkpath(m_CONFIG_DIR);
@@ -168,42 +168,42 @@ private:
         dir.mkpath(m_CACHE_DIR);
 
 #ifdef PQMPORTABLETWEAKS
-        m_USER_TRASH_FILES = portablefolder % "/Trash/files";
+        m_USER_TRASH_FILES = portablefolder + "/Trash/files";
 #else
-        m_USER_TRASH_FILES = QStandardPaths::writableLocation(QStandardPaths::GenericDataLocation) % "/Trash/files";
+        m_USER_TRASH_FILES = QStandardPaths::writableLocation(QStandardPaths::GenericDataLocation) + "/Trash/files";
 #endif
 
 #ifdef Q_OS_WIN
     #ifdef PQMPORTABLETWEAKS
-        m_USER_PLACES_XBEL = m_CACHE_DIR % "/user-places-" % QSysInfo::machineHostName() % ".xbel";
+        m_USER_PLACES_XBEL = m_CACHE_DIR + "/user-places-" + QSysInfo::machineHostName() + ".xbel";
     #else
-        m_USER_PLACES_XBEL = m_CACHE_DIR % "/user-places.xbel";
+        m_USER_PLACES_XBEL = m_CACHE_DIR + "/user-places.xbel";
     #endif
 #else
-        m_USER_PLACES_XBEL = QStandardPaths::writableLocation(QStandardPaths::GenericDataLocation) % "/user-places.xbel";
+        m_USER_PLACES_XBEL = QStandardPaths::writableLocation(QStandardPaths::GenericDataLocation) + "/user-places.xbel";
         dir.mkpath(QStandardPaths::writableLocation(QStandardPaths::GenericDataLocation));
 #endif
 
 #ifdef PQMPORTABLETWEAKS
-        m_THUMBNAIL_CACHE_DIR = portablefolder % "/thumbnails";
+        m_THUMBNAIL_CACHE_DIR = portablefolder + "/thumbnails";
 #else
-        m_THUMBNAIL_CACHE_DIR = QStandardPaths::writableLocation(QStandardPaths::GenericCacheLocation) % "/thumbnails";
+        m_THUMBNAIL_CACHE_DIR = QStandardPaths::writableLocation(QStandardPaths::GenericCacheLocation) + "/thumbnails";
         dir.mkpath(QStandardPaths::writableLocation(QStandardPaths::GenericCacheLocation));
 #endif
 
-        m_CONTEXTMENU_DB = m_CONFIG_DIR % "/contextmenu.db";
-        m_DEFAULTSETTINGS_DB = m_CACHE_DIR % "/defaultsettings.db";
-        m_USERSETTINGS_DB = m_CONFIG_DIR % "/usersettings.db";
-        m_QUICKUSERSETTINGS_FILE = m_CACHE_DIR % "/quickusersettings";
-        m_OLDSETTINGS_DB = m_CONFIG_DIR % "/settings.db";
-        m_SHORTCUTS_DB = m_CONFIG_DIR % "/shortcuts.db";
-        m_LOCATION_DB = m_CONFIG_DIR % "/location.db";
-
-        m_WINDOW_GEOMETRY_FILE = m_CONFIG_DIR % "/geometry";
-        m_FILEDIALOG_LAST_LOCATION = m_CACHE_DIR % "/filedialoglastlocation";
-        m_LASTOPENEDIMAGE_FILE = m_CONFIG_DIR % "/lastimageloaded";
-        m_ICC_COLOR_PROFILE_DIR = m_CACHE_DIR % "/icc";
-        m_IMAGEPLUGINS_SETTINGS_DIR = m_CONFIG_DIR % "/imageplugins";
+        m_CONTEXTMENU_DB = m_CONFIG_DIR + "/contextmenu.db";
+        m_DEFAULTSETTINGS_DB = m_CACHE_DIR + "/defaultsettings.db";
+        m_USERSETTINGS_DB = m_CONFIG_DIR + "/usersettings.db";
+        m_QUICKUSERSETTINGS_FILE = m_CACHE_DIR + "/quickusersettings";
+        m_OLDSETTINGS_DB = m_CONFIG_DIR + "/settings.db";
+        m_SHORTCUTS_DB = m_CONFIG_DIR + "/shortcuts.db";
+        m_LOCATION_DB = m_CONFIG_DIR + "/location.db";
+
+        m_WINDOW_GEOMETRY_FILE = m_CONFIG_DIR + "/geometry";
+        m_FILEDIALOG_LAST_LOCATION = m_CACHE_DIR + "/filedialoglastlocation";
+        m_LASTOPENEDIMAGE_FILE = m_CONFIG_DIR + "/lastimageloaded";
+        m_ICC_COLOR_PROFILE_DIR = m_CACHE_DIR + "/icc";
+        m_IMAGEPLUGINS_SETTINGS_DIR = m_CONFIG_DIR + "/imageplugins";
 
     }
 
diff --git a/cplusplus/images/plugins/pqc_imageplugin.cpp b/cplusplus/images/plugins/pqc_imageplugin.cpp
index d8764dcd0..e08283238 100644
--- a/cplusplus/images/plugins/pqc_imageplugin.cpp
+++ b/cplusplus/images/plugins/pqc_imageplugin.cpp
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ PQCImagePlugin::PQCImagePlugin(QObject *parent) : QObject(parent) {
 
     connect(m_delayWriteToFile, &QTimer::timeout, this, [this]() {
 
-        const QString filename = PQCConfigFiles::get().CONFIG_DIR() % "/imageplugins/" % m_settingsPrefix;
+        const QString filename = PQCConfigFiles::get().CONFIG_DIR() + "/imageplugins/" + m_settingsPrefix;
         QFile outFile(filename);
         if(!outFile.open(QIODevice::WriteOnly)) {
             qDebug() << "Failed to open settings file at:" << filename;
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ void PQCImagePlugin::loadSetttingsFromFiles() {
     /********************************/
 
     // first we read the toggled suffixes from the settings file
-    const QString suffixFilename = PQCConfigFiles::get().CONFIG_DIR() % "/imageplugins/" % m_settingsPrefix;
+    const QString suffixFilename = PQCConfigFiles::get().CONFIG_DIR() + "/imageplugins/" + m_settingsPrefix;
     QFile suffixFile(suffixFilename);
     if(!suffixFile.open(QIODevice::ReadOnly|QIODevice::Text)) {
 
diff --git a/cplusplus/images/plugins/pqc_imageplugin_devil.cpp b/cplusplus/images/plugins/pqc_imageplugin_devil.cpp
index 3efbe9421..5036643eb 100644
--- a/cplusplus/images/plugins/pqc_imageplugin_devil.cpp
+++ b/cplusplus/images/plugins/pqc_imageplugin_devil.cpp
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ const QImage PQCImagePluginDevIL::loadImage(QString path, QSize requestedSize, Q
 
     errormsg = checkForError();
     if(!errormsg.isEmpty()) {
-        error += errormsg % "\n";
+        error += errormsg + "\n";
         qWarning() << errormsg;
         return QImage();
     }
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ const QImage PQCImagePluginDevIL::loadImage(QString path, QSize requestedSize, Q
 #endif
         ilDeleteImages(1, &imageID);
         const QString err = "Failed to load image with DevIL";
-        error += err % "\n";
+        error += err + "\n";
         qWarning() << err;
         return QImage();
     }
@@ -177,13 +177,13 @@ const QImage PQCImagePluginDevIL::loadImage(QString path, QSize requestedSize, Q
         ilDeleteImages(1, &imageID);
         const QString err = "Failed to convert image with DevIL";
         qWarning() << err;
-        error += err % "\n";
+        error += err + "\n";
         return QImage();
     }
 
     errormsg = checkForError();
     if(!errormsg.isEmpty()) {
-        error += errormsg % "\n";
+        error += errormsg + "\n";
         qWarning() << errormsg;
         return QImage();
     }
@@ -195,7 +195,7 @@ const QImage PQCImagePluginDevIL::loadImage(QString path, QSize requestedSize, Q
 
     errormsg = checkForError();
     if(!errormsg.isEmpty()) {
-        error += errormsg % "\n";
+        error += errormsg + "\n";
         qWarning() << errormsg;
         return QImage();
     }
@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ const QImage PQCImagePluginDevIL::loadImage(QString path, QSize requestedSize, Q
 
     if(img.isNull()) {
         const QString msg = "Failed to create QImage with DevIL (unknown error)!";
-        error += msg % "\n";
+        error += msg + "\n";
         qWarning() << msg;
         return QImage();
     }
diff --git a/cplusplus/images/plugins/pqc_imageplugin_libarchive.cpp b/cplusplus/images/plugins/pqc_imageplugin_libarchive.cpp
index 14ab670b3..a5615a9a6 100644
--- a/cplusplus/images/plugins/pqc_imageplugin_libarchive.cpp
+++ b/cplusplus/images/plugins/pqc_imageplugin_libarchive.cpp
@@ -232,7 +232,7 @@ const QImage PQCImagePluginLibarchive::loadImage(QString path, QSize requestedSi
         QStringList cont = PQCScriptsImages::get().listArchiveContentWithoutThread(archivefile);
         if(cont.length() == 0) {
             const QString msg = "Unable to list contents of archive file...";
-            error += msg % "\n";
+            error += msg + "\n";
             qWarning() << msg;
             return QImage();
         }
@@ -241,7 +241,7 @@ const QImage PQCImagePluginLibarchive::loadImage(QString path, QSize requestedSi
 
     if(!QFileInfo::exists(archivefile)) {
         const QString msg = "File doesn't seem to exist...";
-        error += msg % "\n";
+        error += msg + "\n";
         qWarning() << msg;
         return QImage();
     }
@@ -313,8 +313,8 @@ const QImage PQCImagePluginLibarchive::loadImage(QString path, QSize requestedSi
     if(archive_read_open_filename(a, tmpPath.constData(), 10240) != ARCHIVE_OK) {
 #endif
         // If something went wrong, output error message and stop here
-        const QString msg = "archive_read_open_filename() failed: " % QString(archive_error_string(a));
-        error += msg % "\n";
+        const QString msg = "archive_read_open_filename() failed: " + QString(archive_error_string(a));
+        error += msg + "\n";
         qWarning() << msg;
         return QImage();
     }
@@ -341,7 +341,7 @@ const QImage PQCImagePluginLibarchive::loadImage(QString path, QSize requestedSi
 
             if(size <= 0) {
                 const QString msg = QString("Invalid image size of file in archive: %1").arg(size);
-                error += msg % "\n";
+                error += msg + "\n";
                 qWarning() << msg;
                 return QImage();
             }
@@ -357,7 +357,7 @@ const QImage PQCImagePluginLibarchive::loadImage(QString path, QSize requestedSi
                 la_ssize_t chunk = archive_read_data(a, ptr + total, size - total);
                 if(chunk < 0) {
                     const QString msg = QString("Invalid chunk read: %1").arg(archive_error_string(a));
-                    error += msg % "\n";
+                    error += msg + "\n";
                     qWarning() << msg;
                     return QImage();
                 }
@@ -371,7 +371,7 @@ const QImage PQCImagePluginLibarchive::loadImage(QString path, QSize requestedSi
 
             if(total != size) {
                 const QString msg = QString("Failed to read image data, read size (%1) doesn't match expected size (%2)...").arg(total).arg(size);
-                error += msg % "\n";
+                error += msg + "\n";
                 qWarning() << msg;
                 return QImage();
             }
@@ -385,14 +385,14 @@ const QImage PQCImagePluginLibarchive::loadImage(QString path, QSize requestedSi
             // write buffer to file
             if(!tempFile.open()) {
                 const QString msg = "Unable to load archive file to temporary file.";
-                error += msg % "\n";
+                error += msg + "\n";
                 qWarning() << msg;
                 return QImage();
             }
 
             if(tempFile.write(data) != data.size()) {
                 const QString msg = "Failed to write image to temporary file.";
-                error += msg % "\n";
+                error += msg + "\n";
                 qWarning() << msg;
                 return QImage();
             }
diff --git a/cplusplus/images/plugins/pqc_imageplugin_libraw.cpp b/cplusplus/images/plugins/pqc_imageplugin_libraw.cpp
index 6b157729a..02bb621f9 100644
--- a/cplusplus/images/plugins/pqc_imageplugin_libraw.cpp
+++ b/cplusplus/images/plugins/pqc_imageplugin_libraw.cpp
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ const QImage PQCImagePluginLibraw::loadImage(QString path, QSize requestedSize,
         raw.recycle();
         const QString msg = QString("Failed to run open_file: %1").arg(libraw_strerror(ret));
         qWarning() << msg;
-        error += msg % "\n";
+        error += msg + "\n";
         return QImage();
     }
 
@@ -196,7 +196,7 @@ const QImage PQCImagePluginLibraw::loadImage(QString path, QSize requestedSize,
     if(ret != LIBRAW_SUCCESS) {
         raw.recycle();
         const QString msg = QString("Failed to run %1: %2").arg((useThumb ? "unpack_thumb" : "unpack"), libraw_strerror(ret));
-        error += msg % "\n";
+        error += msg + "\n";
         qWarning() << msg;
         return QImage();
     }
@@ -208,7 +208,7 @@ const QImage PQCImagePluginLibraw::loadImage(QString path, QSize requestedSize,
         raw.recycle();
         const QString msg = QString("Failed to run dcraw_process: %1").arg(libraw_strerror(ret));
         qWarning() << msg;
-        error += msg % "\n";
+        error += msg + "\n";
         return QImage();
     }
 
@@ -221,7 +221,7 @@ const QImage PQCImagePluginLibraw::loadImage(QString path, QSize requestedSize,
         raw.recycle();
         const QString msg = QString("Failed to create memory image: %1").arg(libraw_strerror(ret));
         qWarning() << msg;
-        error += msg % "\n";
+        error += msg + "\n";
         return QImage();
     }
 
@@ -238,7 +238,7 @@ const QImage PQCImagePluginLibraw::loadImage(QString path, QSize requestedSize,
             raw.recycle();
             const QString msg = "Failed to load JPEG data!";
             qWarning() << msg;
-            error += msg % "\n";
+            error += msg + "\n";
             return QImage();
         }
 
@@ -259,7 +259,7 @@ const QImage PQCImagePluginLibraw::loadImage(QString path, QSize requestedSize,
                 raw.recycle();
                 const QString msg = "Failed to allocate QImage.";
                 qWarning() << msg;
-                error += msg % "\n";
+                error += msg + "\n";
                 return QImage();
             }
 
@@ -278,7 +278,7 @@ const QImage PQCImagePluginLibraw::loadImage(QString path, QSize requestedSize,
                 raw.recycle();
                 const QString msg = "Failed to allocate QImage.";
                 qWarning() << msg;
-                error += msg % "\n";
+                error += msg + "\n";
                 return QImage();
             }
 
@@ -302,7 +302,7 @@ const QImage PQCImagePluginLibraw::loadImage(QString path, QSize requestedSize,
                 raw.recycle();
                 const QString msg = "Failed to allocate QImage.";
                 qWarning() << msg;
-                error += msg % "\n";
+                error += msg + "\n";
                 return QImage();
             }
 
@@ -319,7 +319,7 @@ const QImage PQCImagePluginLibraw::loadImage(QString path, QSize requestedSize,
                 raw.recycle();
                 const QString msg = "Failed to allocate QImage.";
                 qWarning() << msg;
-                error += msg % "\n";
+                error += msg + "\n";
                 return QImage();
             }
 
@@ -338,7 +338,7 @@ const QImage PQCImagePluginLibraw::loadImage(QString path, QSize requestedSize,
 
             const QString msg = QString("Unsupported RAW output format (colors=%1 bits=%2)").arg(colors).arg(bits);
             qWarning() << msg;
-            error += msg % "\n";
+            error += msg + "\n";
             return QImage();
 
         }
diff --git a/cplusplus/images/plugins/pqc_imageplugin_libsai.cpp b/cplusplus/images/plugins/pqc_imageplugin_libsai.cpp
index 218608853..6452eb4d2 100644
--- a/cplusplus/images/plugins/pqc_imageplugin_libsai.cpp
+++ b/cplusplus/images/plugins/pqc_imageplugin_libsai.cpp
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ const QImage PQCImagePluginLibsai::loadImage(QString path, QSize requestedSize,
 
     if(!saidoc.IsOpen()) {
         const QString msg = "Error opening SAI file for reading.";
-        error += msg % "\n";
+        error += msg + "\n";
         qWarning() << msg;
         return QImage();
     }
diff --git a/cplusplus/images/plugins/pqc_imageplugin_libvips.cpp b/cplusplus/images/plugins/pqc_imageplugin_libvips.cpp
index 8f5461f8f..9381cf7f1 100644
--- a/cplusplus/images/plugins/pqc_imageplugin_libvips.cpp
+++ b/cplusplus/images/plugins/pqc_imageplugin_libvips.cpp
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ const QImage PQCImagePluginLibVips::loadImage(QString path, QSize requestedSize,
     VipsImage *vimg = vips_image_new_from_file(path.toStdString().c_str(), "access", VIPS_ACCESS_SEQUENTIAL, NULL);
     if(!vimg) {
         const QString msg = "vips_image_new_from_file: failed to load image from file";
-        error += msg % "\n";
+        error += msg + "\n";
         qDebug() << msg;
         return QImage();
     }
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ const QImage PQCImagePluginLibVips::loadImage(QString path, QSize requestedSize,
         VipsImage *tmp;
         if(vips_addalpha(vimg, &tmp, NULL)) {
             const QString msg = "vips_image_hasalpha failed";
-            error += msg % "\n";
+            error += msg + "\n";
             qDebug() << msg;
             return QImage();
         }
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ const QImage PQCImagePluginLibVips::loadImage(QString path, QSize requestedSize,
     if(!memImg) {
         g_object_unref(vimg);
         const QString msg = "vips_image_copy_memory failed";
-        error += msg % "\n";
+        error += msg + "\n";
         qDebug() << msg;
         return QImage();
     }
diff --git a/cplusplus/images/plugins/pqc_imageplugin_magick.cpp b/cplusplus/images/plugins/pqc_imageplugin_magick.cpp
index 83c8661fd..6c38e237d 100644
--- a/cplusplus/images/plugins/pqc_imageplugin_magick.cpp
+++ b/cplusplus/images/plugins/pqc_imageplugin_magick.cpp
@@ -434,7 +434,7 @@ const QImage PQCImagePluginMagick::loadImage(QString path, QSize requestedSize,
         // no attempt was successful -> stop here
         if(howOftenFailed == mgs.length()) {
             const QString msg = "Failed to read image";
-            error += msg % "\n";
+            error += msg + "\n";
             qWarning() << msg;
             return QImage();
         }
@@ -471,7 +471,7 @@ const QImage PQCImagePluginMagick::loadImage(QString path, QSize requestedSize,
 
         ++howOftenFailed;
         qWarning() << e.what();
-        error += QString(e.what()) % "\n";
+        error += QString(e.what()) + "\n";
 
     }
 
diff --git a/cplusplus/images/plugins/pqc_imageplugin_pdf.cpp b/cplusplus/images/plugins/pqc_imageplugin_pdf.cpp
index 4c55fbdde..034c49112 100644
--- a/cplusplus/images/plugins/pqc_imageplugin_pdf.cpp
+++ b/cplusplus/images/plugins/pqc_imageplugin_pdf.cpp
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ const QImage PQCImagePluginPDF::loadImage(QString path, QSize requestedSize, QSi
     std::unique_ptr<Poppler::Document> document = Poppler::Document::load(path);
     if(!document || document->isLocked()) {
         const QString msg = "Invalid PDF document, unable to load!";;
-        error += msg % "\n";
+        error += msg + "\n";
         qWarning() << msg;
         return QImage();
     }
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ const QImage PQCImagePluginPDF::loadImage(QString path, QSize requestedSize, QSi
     QPdfDocument::Error ret = doc.load(path);
     if(ret != QPdfDocument::Error::None) {
         const QString msg = QString("Unable to load pdf using QtPDF: %1").arg(static_cast<int>(ret));
-        error += msg % "\n";
+        error += msg + "\n";
         qWarning() << msg;
         return QImage();
     }
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ const QImage PQCImagePluginPDF::loadImage(QString path, QSize requestedSize, QSi
     QPdfDocument::Error err = doc.error();
     if(err != QPdfDocument::Error::None) {
         const QString msg = "Error occurred loading PDF";
-        error += msg % "\n";
+        error += msg + "\n";
         qWarning() << msg;
         return QImage();
     }
@@ -180,7 +180,7 @@ const QImage PQCImagePluginPDF::loadImage(QString path, QSize requestedSize, QSi
 
     if(p.isNull()) {
         const QString msg = QString("Unable to read page %1").arg(page);
-        error += msg % "\n";
+        error += msg + "\n";
         qWarning() << msg;
         return QImage();
     }
diff --git a/cplusplus/images/plugins/pqc_imageplugin_qt.cpp b/cplusplus/images/plugins/pqc_imageplugin_qt.cpp
index 7606a202c..6de5cbab5 100644
--- a/cplusplus/images/plugins/pqc_imageplugin_qt.cpp
+++ b/cplusplus/images/plugins/pqc_imageplugin_qt.cpp
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ PQCImagePluginQt::PQCImagePluginQt() {
     const QString tmpPath = QDir::tempPath();
     for(const int &format : getEnabledFormats()) {
         const QStringList allsuf = getSuffixesForFormat(format);
-        writer.setFileName(tmpPath % "/temp." % *allsuf.begin());
+        writer.setFileName(tmpPath + "/temp." + *allsuf.begin());
         if(writer.canWrite()) {
             writableFormats.insert(format);
         }
@@ -228,7 +228,7 @@ const QImage PQCImagePluginQt::loadImage(QString path, QSize requestedSize, QSiz
         // Invalid vector graphic
         if(!svg.isValid()) {
             const QString msg = "Error: invalid svg file";
-            error += msg % "\n";
+            error += msg + "\n";
             qWarning() << msg;
             return QImage();
         }
@@ -296,7 +296,7 @@ const QImage PQCImagePluginQt::loadImage(QString path, QSize requestedSize, QSiz
 
             if(img.isNull()) {
                 const QString msg = "image reader and QImage unable to read image";
-                error += msg % "\n";
+                error += msg + "\n";
                 qWarning() << msg;
                 return QImage();
             } else {
@@ -336,7 +336,7 @@ const QImage PQCImagePluginQt::loadImage(QString path, QSize requestedSize, QSiz
         // If an error occurred
         if(img.isNull()) {
             const QString msg = reader.errorString();
-            error += msg % "\n";
+            error += msg + "\n";
             qWarning() << msg;
             return QImage();
         }
diff --git a/cplusplus/images/plugins/pqc_imageplugin_resvg.cpp b/cplusplus/images/plugins/pqc_imageplugin_resvg.cpp
index ea2856df8..43db5a579 100644
--- a/cplusplus/images/plugins/pqc_imageplugin_resvg.cpp
+++ b/cplusplus/images/plugins/pqc_imageplugin_resvg.cpp
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ const QImage PQCImagePluginResvg::loadImage(QString path, QSize requestedSize, Q
 
     if(!renderer.isValid()) {
         const QString msg = "Invalid SVG encountered";
-        error += msg % "\n";
+        error += msg + "\n";
         qWarning() << msg;
         return QImage();
     }
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ const QImage PQCImagePluginResvg::loadImage(QString path, QSize requestedSize, Q
     if(resvg_parse_tree_from_file(path.toUtf8().constData(), opt, &tree) != RESVG_OK) {
         resvg_options_destroy(opt);
         const QString msg = "Invalid SVG encountered";
-        error += msg % "\n";
+        error += msg + "\n";
         qWarning() << msg;
         return QImage();
     }
diff --git a/cplusplus/images/plugins/pqc_imageplugin_video.cpp b/cplusplus/images/plugins/pqc_imageplugin_video.cpp
index de16b223f..c628f0160 100644
--- a/cplusplus/images/plugins/pqc_imageplugin_video.cpp
+++ b/cplusplus/images/plugins/pqc_imageplugin_video.cpp
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ const QImage PQCImagePluginVideo::loadImage(QString path, QSize requestedSize, Q
             if(!tempFile.open()) {
                 const QString err = "Unable to open temporary file from thumbnail generation.";
                 qWarning() << err;
-                error += err % "\n";
+                error += err + "\n";
                 return QImage();
             }
             // release the file
@@ -212,7 +212,7 @@ const QImage PQCImagePluginVideo::loadImage(QString path, QSize requestedSize, Q
             if(!tempFile.open()) {
                 const QString err = "Unable to open temporary file from thumbnail generation.";
                 qWarning() << err;
-                error += err % "\n";
+                error += err + "\n";
                 return QImage();
             }
 
@@ -238,7 +238,7 @@ const QImage PQCImagePluginVideo::loadImage(QString path, QSize requestedSize, Q
         if(!tmp_file.open()) {
             const QString msg = "Failed to create temporary file";
             qWarning() << msg;
-            error += msg % "\n";
+            error += msg + "\n";
             return QImage();
         }
 
@@ -251,7 +251,7 @@ const QImage PQCImagePluginVideo::loadImage(QString path, QSize requestedSize, Q
 
         if(ret != 0) {
             const QString msg = QString("ffmpegthumbnailer ended with error code %1 - is it installed?").arg(ret);
-            error += msg % "\n";
+            error += msg + "\n";
             qWarning() << msg;
             return QImage();
         }
@@ -276,14 +276,14 @@ const QImage PQCImagePluginVideo::loadImage(QString path, QSize requestedSize, Q
 
         const QString msg = "No video thumbnailer selected";
         qWarning() << msg;
-        error += msg % "\n";
+        error += msg + "\n";
         return QImage();
 
     }
 
     const QString msg = "Unknown video thumbnailer used: " + PQCSettingsCPP::get().getFiletypesVideoThumbnailer();
     qWarning() << msg;
-    error += msg % "\n";
+    error += msg + "\n";
     return QImage();
 
 
diff --git a/cplusplus/images/provider/pqc_providerfolderthumb.cpp b/cplusplus/images/provider/pqc_providerfolderthumb.cpp
index 10808f81d..8fc5aa41b 100644
--- a/cplusplus/images/provider/pqc_providerfolderthumb.cpp
+++ b/cplusplus/images/provider/pqc_providerfolderthumb.cpp
@@ -67,14 +67,14 @@ const QString PQCAsyncImageResponseFolderThumbCache::generateCacheKey(QString fo
     const int ascending = useDefaultSort ? settings.getImageviewSortImagesAscending() : settings.getFiledialogFolderContentThumbnailsSortAscending();
 
     return foldername
-           % "::"
-           % QString::number(numEnabledFormats)
-           % "::"
-           % QString::number(QFileInfo(foldername).lastModified().toMSecsSinceEpoch())
-           % "::"
-           % sortBy
-           % "::"
-           % QString::number(ascending ? 1 : 0);
+           + "::"
+           + QString::number(numEnabledFormats)
+           + "::"
+           + QString::number(QFileInfo(foldername).lastModified().toMSecsSinceEpoch())
+           + "::"
+           + sortBy
+           + "::"
+           + QString::number(ascending ? 1 : 0);
 
 }
 
diff --git a/cplusplus/images/provider/pqc_providericon.cpp b/cplusplus/images/provider/pqc_providericon.cpp
index ee8bb7127..2de7acca5 100644
--- a/cplusplus/images/provider/pqc_providericon.cpp
+++ b/cplusplus/images/provider/pqc_providericon.cpp
@@ -54,12 +54,12 @@ QImage PQCProviderIcon::requestImage(const QString &icon, QSize *origSize, const
     QString iconname = ":/filetypes/unknown.svg";
     if(suf.startsWith("network_"))
         iconname = ":/filetypes/network_unknown.svg";
-    if(QFile::exists(":/filetypes/" % suf % ".svg"))
-        iconname = ":/filetypes/" % suf % ".svg";
+    if(QFile::exists(":/filetypes/" + suf + ".svg"))
+        iconname = ":/filetypes/" + suf + ".svg";
     else if(suf.contains(".")) {
-        const QString suf2 = (suf.startsWith("network_") ? "network_" : "") % suf.split(".").last();
-        if(QFile::exists(":/filetypes/" % suf2 % ".svg"))
-            iconname = ":/filetypes/" % suf2 % ".svg";
+        const QString suf2 = (suf.startsWith("network_") ? "network_" : "") + suf.split(".").last();
+        if(QFile::exists(":/filetypes/" + suf2 + ".svg"))
+            iconname = ":/filetypes/" + suf2 + ".svg";
     }
 
     return svg->requestImage(iconname, origSize, requestedSize);
diff --git a/cplusplus/images/provider/pqc_providertheme.cpp b/cplusplus/images/provider/pqc_providertheme.cpp
index e70e410e7..8574f5b6a 100644
--- a/cplusplus/images/provider/pqc_providertheme.cpp
+++ b/cplusplus/images/provider/pqc_providertheme.cpp
@@ -36,17 +36,17 @@ PQCProviderTheme::PQCProviderTheme() : QQuickImageProvider(QQuickImageProvider::
     // this is needed to 'fix' the icons on Linux
     if(PQCSettingsCPP::get().getGeneralInterfaceVariant() == "modern") {
         if(QColor(PQCSettingsCPP::get().getInterfaceAccentColor()).lightness() > 96)
-            QIcon::setThemeName(origTheme % "-light");
+            QIcon::setThemeName(origTheme + "-light");
         else
-            QIcon::setThemeName(origTheme % "-dark");
+            QIcon::setThemeName(origTheme + "-dark");
         QIcon::setFallbackThemeName(origTheme);
     }
     connect(&PQCSettingsCPP::get(), &PQCSettingsCPP::interfaceAccentColorChanged, this, [this]() {
         if(PQCSettingsCPP::get().getGeneralInterfaceVariant() == "modern") {
             if(QColor(PQCSettingsCPP::get().getInterfaceAccentColor()).lightness() > 96)
-                QIcon::setThemeName(origTheme % "-light");
+                QIcon::setThemeName(origTheme + "-light");
             else
-                QIcon::setThemeName(origTheme % "-dark");
+                QIcon::setThemeName(origTheme + "-dark");
             QIcon::setFallbackThemeName(origTheme);
         }
     });
@@ -90,11 +90,11 @@ QImage PQCProviderTheme::requestImage(const QString &icon, QSize *origSize, cons
 
         QString iconname = ":/filetypes/unknown.svg";
 
-        const QString firstName = ":/filetypes/" % suf % ".svg";
+        const QString firstName = ":/filetypes/" + suf + ".svg";
         if(suf != "folder" && QFile(firstName).exists())
             iconname = firstName;
         else {
-            const QString secondName = ":/other/filedialog-" % suf % ".svg";
+            const QString secondName = ":/other/filedialog-" + suf + ".svg";
             if(QFile(secondName).exists())
                 iconname = secondName;
             else if(suf.contains("folder") || suf.contains("directory"))
diff --git a/cplusplus/images/provider/pqc_providerthumb.cpp b/cplusplus/images/provider/pqc_providerthumb.cpp
index 037fde2ea..6422de851 100644
--- a/cplusplus/images/provider/pqc_providerthumb.cpp
+++ b/cplusplus/images/provider/pqc_providerthumb.cpp
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ void PQCAsyncImageResponseThumb::loadImage() {
     }
 
 
-    const QString thumbcachepath = PQCConfigFiles::get().THUMBNAIL_CACHE_DIR() % "/" % cachedir % "/" % md5 % ".png";
+    const QString thumbcachepath = PQCConfigFiles::get().THUMBNAIL_CACHE_DIR() + "/" + cachedir + "/" + md5 + ".png";
 
     // If files in XDG_CACHE_HOME/thumbnails/ shall be used, then do use them
     if(PQCSettingsCPP::get().getThumbnailsCache()) {
@@ -220,8 +220,8 @@ void PQCAsyncImageResponseThumb::loadImage() {
 
         const QString suf = QFileInfo(filenameForChecking).suffix().toLower();
         QString iconname = ":/filetypes/unknown.svg";
-        if(QFile::exists(":/filetypes/"% suf % ".svg"))
-            iconname = ":/filetypes/" % suf % ".svg";
+        if(QFile::exists(":/filetypes/" + suf + ".svg"))
+            iconname = ":/filetypes/" + suf + ".svg";
 
         QSvgRenderer svg;
         if(!svg.load(iconname))
@@ -261,7 +261,7 @@ void PQCAsyncImageResponseThumb::loadImage() {
             dir.mkpath(info.absolutePath());
 
             // Set some required (and additional) meta information
-            p.setText("Thumb::URI", "file://" % filename);
+            p.setText("Thumb::URI", "file://" + filename);
             p.setText("Thumb::MTime", QString::number(QFileInfo(filenameForChecking).lastModified().toSecsSinceEpoch()));
             QString mime = mimedb.mimeTypeForFile(filenameForChecking, QMimeDatabase::MatchContent).name();
             // this is the default mime type if no mime type is available or file cannot be found
diff --git a/cplusplus/main.cpp b/cplusplus/main.cpp
index e36b583e1..ebe0a9762 100644
--- a/cplusplus/main.cpp
+++ b/cplusplus/main.cpp
@@ -252,9 +252,9 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
         bool success = true;
         for(QScreen *screen : screens) {
             const QPixmap pixmap = screen->grabWindow(0);
-            QDir d(PQCConfigFiles::get().CACHE_DIR() % "/screenshots/");
+            QDir d(PQCConfigFiles::get().CACHE_DIR() + "/screenshots/");
             d.mkdir(d.absolutePath());
-            const QString fn = d.absolutePath() % "/" % QString::number(index) % ".jpg";
+            const QString fn = d.absolutePath() + "/" + QString::number(index) + ".jpg";
             if(pixmap.isNull() || !pixmap.save(fn)) {
                 qWarning() << "Failed to store screenshot of screen" << index << "to" << fn;
                 success = false;
diff --git a/cplusplus/other/pqc_singleinstance.cpp b/cplusplus/other/pqc_singleinstance.cpp
index 3a0101ae2..5df64baff 100644
--- a/cplusplus/other/pqc_singleinstance.cpp
+++ b/cplusplus/other/pqc_singleinstance.cpp
@@ -251,7 +251,7 @@ PQCSingleInstance::PQCSingleInstance(int &argc, char *argv[]) : QApplication(arg
 
             QString token = qgetenv("XDG_ACTIVATION_TOKEN");
             if(!token.isEmpty())
-                writeMessage.append(("_T_O_K_E_N_" % token % "\n").toUtf8());
+                writeMessage.append(("_T_O_K_E_N_" + token + "\n").toUtf8());
 
         } else
             writeMessage.reserve(msg.size());
@@ -262,11 +262,11 @@ PQCSingleInstance::PQCSingleInstance(int &argc, char *argv[]) : QApplication(arg
 
         // Send composed message string
         if(receivedFiles.length())
-            writeMessage.append(("_F_I_L_E_" % receivedFiles.join(":://:://::") % "\n").toUtf8());
+            writeMessage.append(("_F_I_L_E_" + receivedFiles.join(":://:://::") + "\n").toUtf8());
         if(!receivedShortcut.isEmpty())
-            writeMessage.append(("_S_H_O_R_T_C_U_T_" % receivedShortcut % "\n").toUtf8());
+            writeMessage.append(("_S_H_O_R_T_C_U_T_" + receivedShortcut + "\n").toUtf8());
         if(!receivedSetting[0].isEmpty())
-            writeMessage.append(("_S_E_T_T_I_N_G_" % receivedSetting[0] % ":" % receivedSetting[1] % "\n").toUtf8());
+            writeMessage.append(("_S_E_T_T_I_N_G_" + receivedSetting[0] + ":" + receivedSetting[1] + "\n").toUtf8());
 
         socket->write(writeMessage.join('\n'));
         socket->flush();
@@ -530,7 +530,7 @@ PQCSingleInstance::~PQCSingleInstance() {
 bool PQCSingleInstance::importConfig() {
 
     // no import is to be done
-    const QString importFN = PQCConfigFiles::get().CONFIG_DIR() % "/to_be_imported.pqt";
+    const QString importFN = PQCConfigFiles::get().CONFIG_DIR() + "/to_be_imported.pqt";
     if(!QFile::exists(importFN))
         return true;
 
@@ -623,7 +623,7 @@ bool PQCSingleInstance::importConfig() {
             if(filenameinside == "CFG_IMAGEPLUGINS") {
 
                 // write to temporary file
-                const QString ipArchive = PQCConfigFiles::get().CONFIG_DIR() % "/to_be_imported_imageplugins.pqt";
+                const QString ipArchive = PQCConfigFiles::get().CONFIG_DIR() + "/to_be_imported_imageplugins.pqt";
                 QFile file(ipArchive);
                 // overwrite old content
                 if(!file.open(QIODevice::WriteOnly | QIODevice::Truncate)) {
@@ -635,7 +635,7 @@ bool PQCSingleInstance::importConfig() {
                 file.close();
                 file.flush();
 
-                if(!PQCHelper::unzipDirectory(ipArchive, PQCConfigFiles::get().CONFIG_DIR() % "/imageplugins/")) {
+                if(!PQCHelper::unzipDirectory(ipArchive, PQCConfigFiles::get().CONFIG_DIR() + "/imageplugins/")) {
                     qWarning() << "Failed to import imageplugins config!";
                 }
 
diff --git a/cplusplus/other/pqc_startuphandler.cpp b/cplusplus/other/pqc_startuphandler.cpp
index a9d5ec960..7523f92ed 100644
--- a/cplusplus/other/pqc_startuphandler.cpp
+++ b/cplusplus/other/pqc_startuphandler.cpp
@@ -462,10 +462,10 @@ void PQCStartupHandler::setupFresh() {
     dir.mkpath(PQCConfigFiles::get().CACHE_DIR());
     dir.mkpath(QFileInfo(PQCConfigFiles::get().USER_PLACES_XBEL()).absolutePath());
     dir.mkpath(PQCConfigFiles::get().THUMBNAIL_CACHE_DIR());
-    dir.mkpath(PQCConfigFiles::get().THUMBNAIL_CACHE_DIR() % "/normal/");
-    dir.mkpath(PQCConfigFiles::get().THUMBNAIL_CACHE_DIR() % "/large/");
-    dir.mkpath(PQCConfigFiles::get().THUMBNAIL_CACHE_DIR() % "/x-large/");
-    dir.mkpath(PQCConfigFiles::get().THUMBNAIL_CACHE_DIR() % "/xx-large/");
+    dir.mkpath(PQCConfigFiles::get().THUMBNAIL_CACHE_DIR() + "/normal/");
+    dir.mkpath(PQCConfigFiles::get().THUMBNAIL_CACHE_DIR() + "/large/");
+    dir.mkpath(PQCConfigFiles::get().THUMBNAIL_CACHE_DIR() + "/x-large/");
+    dir.mkpath(PQCConfigFiles::get().THUMBNAIL_CACHE_DIR() + "/xx-large/");
 
     /**************************************************************/
     // create default settings database
@@ -513,7 +513,7 @@ void PQCStartupHandler::setupFresh() {
 
     /**************************************************************/
     // make sure no old image format settings remain
-    const QString imageplugindir = PQCConfigFiles::get().CONFIG_DIR() % "/imageplugins";
+    const QString imageplugindir = PQCConfigFiles::get().CONFIG_DIR() + "/imageplugins";
     if(QFileInfo::exists(imageplugindir)) {
         dir.setPath(imageplugindir);
         dir.removeRecursively();
diff --git a/cplusplus/other/startuphandler/pqc_migrateimageplugins.cpp b/cplusplus/other/startuphandler/pqc_migrateimageplugins.cpp
index f298934f1..8ada4ed3c 100644
--- a/cplusplus/other/startuphandler/pqc_migrateimageplugins.cpp
+++ b/cplusplus/other/startuphandler/pqc_migrateimageplugins.cpp
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ void PQCMigrateImagePlugins::migrate540() {
 
     qDebug() << "";
 
-    const QString fn = PQCConfigFiles::get().CONFIG_DIR() % "/imageformats.db";
+    const QString fn = PQCConfigFiles::get().CONFIG_DIR() + "/imageformats.db";
     if(!QFileInfo::exists(fn))
         return;
 
@@ -75,8 +75,8 @@ void PQCMigrateImagePlugins::migrate540() {
     QSqlDatabase::removeDatabase("oldimageformats");
 
     // try to backup file and remove it then to never re-migrate it
-    QFile::remove(fn % ".bak");
-    QFile::copy(fn, fn % ".bak");
+    QFile::remove(fn + ".bak");
+    QFile::copy(fn, fn + ".bak");
     QFile::remove(fn);
 
 }
diff --git a/cplusplus/other/startuphandler/pqc_validate.cpp b/cplusplus/other/startuphandler/pqc_validate.cpp
index f8416faf3..ca740ca56 100644
--- a/cplusplus/other/startuphandler/pqc_validate.cpp
+++ b/cplusplus/other/startuphandler/pqc_validate.cpp
@@ -97,19 +97,19 @@ bool PQCValidate::validateDirectories(const QString &thumb_cache_basedir) {
     dir.mkpath(PQCConfigFiles::get().CACHE_DIR());
     dir.mkpath(PQCConfigFiles::get().DATA_DIR());
     dir.mkpath(userplaces_info.absolutePath());
-    dir.mkpath(PQCConfigFiles::get().CONFIG_DIR() % "/imageplugins/");
+    dir.mkpath(PQCConfigFiles::get().CONFIG_DIR() + "/imageplugins/");
     if(!thumb_cache_basedir.isEmpty()) {
         dir.mkpath(thumb_cache_basedir);
-        dir.mkpath(thumb_cache_basedir % "/normal/");
-        dir.mkpath(thumb_cache_basedir % "/large/");
-        dir.mkpath(thumb_cache_basedir % "/x-large/");
-        dir.mkpath(thumb_cache_basedir % "/xx-large/");
+        dir.mkpath(thumb_cache_basedir + "/normal/");
+        dir.mkpath(thumb_cache_basedir + "/large/");
+        dir.mkpath(thumb_cache_basedir + "/x-large/");
+        dir.mkpath(thumb_cache_basedir + "/xx-large/");
     } else {
         dir.mkpath(PQCConfigFiles::get().THUMBNAIL_CACHE_DIR());
-        dir.mkpath(PQCConfigFiles::get().THUMBNAIL_CACHE_DIR() % "/normal/");
-        dir.mkpath(PQCConfigFiles::get().THUMBNAIL_CACHE_DIR() % "/large/");
-        dir.mkpath(PQCConfigFiles::get().THUMBNAIL_CACHE_DIR() % "/x-large/");
-        dir.mkpath(PQCConfigFiles::get().THUMBNAIL_CACHE_DIR() % "/xx-large/");
+        dir.mkpath(PQCConfigFiles::get().THUMBNAIL_CACHE_DIR() + "/normal/");
+        dir.mkpath(PQCConfigFiles::get().THUMBNAIL_CACHE_DIR() + "/large/");
+        dir.mkpath(PQCConfigFiles::get().THUMBNAIL_CACHE_DIR() + "/x-large/");
+        dir.mkpath(PQCConfigFiles::get().THUMBNAIL_CACHE_DIR() + "/xx-large/");
     }
 
     // In a previous version the user-places.xbel file was created as directory instead.
diff --git a/cplusplus/singletons/scripts/pqc_scriptschromecast.cpp b/cplusplus/singletons/scripts/pqc_scriptschromecast.cpp
index 2b6522f8b..c0aaffc2e 100644
--- a/cplusplus/singletons/scripts/pqc_scriptschromecast.cpp
+++ b/cplusplus/singletons/scripts/pqc_scriptschromecast.cpp
@@ -54,9 +54,9 @@ PQCScriptsChromeCast::~PQCScriptsChromeCast() {
 
     disconnect();
 
-    QFile::remove(QDir::tempPath() % "/chromecast_discovery.py");
-    QFile::remove(QDir::tempPath() % "/chromecast_cast.py");
-    QFile::remove(QDir::tempPath() % "/chromecast_disconnect.py");
+    QFile::remove(QDir::tempPath() + "/chromecast_discovery.py");
+    QFile::remove(QDir::tempPath() + "/chromecast_cast.py");
+    QFile::remove(QDir::tempPath() + "/chromecast_disconnect.py");
 
     server->deleteLater();
     procDiscovery->deleteLater();
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ bool PQCScriptsChromeCast::startDiscovery() {
     m_inDiscovery = true;
     Q_EMIT inDiscoveryChanged();
 
-    const QString tmpPath = QDir::tempPath() % "/chromecast_discovery.py";
+    const QString tmpPath = QDir::tempPath() + "/chromecast_discovery.py";
 
     QFile::remove(tmpPath);
     if(!QFile::copy(":/chromecast_discovery.py", tmpPath)) {
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ bool PQCScriptsChromeCast::castImage(QString filename) {
     if(filename.isEmpty()) {
 
         QImage img(":/other/logo_chromecast.jpg");
-        if(!img.save(QDir::tempPath() % "/photoqtchromecast.jpg", nullptr, 100)) {
+        if(!img.save(QDir::tempPath() + "/photoqtchromecast.jpg", nullptr, 100)) {
             qWarning() << "Failed to save default image.";
             return false;
         }
@@ -197,12 +197,12 @@ bool PQCScriptsChromeCast::castImage(QString filename) {
             QPainter painter(&ret);
             painter.drawImage((1920-img.width())/2, (1080-img.height())/2, img);
             painter.end();
-            if(!ret.save(QDir::tempPath() % "/photoqtchromecast.jpg", nullptr, 100)) {
+            if(!ret.save(QDir::tempPath() + "/photoqtchromecast.jpg", nullptr, 100)) {
                 qWarning() << "Failed to save image:" << filename;
                 return false;
             }
         } else {
-            if(!img.save(QDir::tempPath() % "/photoqtchromecast.jpg", nullptr, 100)) {
+            if(!img.save(QDir::tempPath() + "/photoqtchromecast.jpg", nullptr, 100)) {
                 qWarning() << "Failed to save image:" << filename;
                 return false;
             }
@@ -229,7 +229,7 @@ bool PQCScriptsChromeCast::disconnect() {
     if(!m_connected)
         return true;
 
-    const QString pyPath = QDir::tempPath() % "/chromecast_disconnect.py";
+    const QString pyPath = QDir::tempPath() + "/chromecast_disconnect.py";
     QFile::remove(pyPath);
     if(!QFile::copy(":/chromecast_disconnect.py", pyPath)) {
         qWarning() << "ERROR preparing disconnect python script, chromecast won't properly shut down";
diff --git a/cplusplus/singletons/scripts/pqc_scriptscolorprofiles.cpp b/cplusplus/singletons/scripts/pqc_scriptscolorprofiles.cpp
index aeb2f8eff..1a9294f0e 100644
--- a/cplusplus/singletons/scripts/pqc_scriptscolorprofiles.cpp
+++ b/cplusplus/singletons/scripts/pqc_scriptscolorprofiles.cpp
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ void PQCScriptsColorProfiles::loadColorProfileInfo() {
     QDirIterator it(PQCConfigFiles::get().ICC_COLOR_PROFILE_DIR(), {"*.icc", "*.icm", "*.ICC", "*.ICM"}, QDir::Files, QDirIterator::Subdirectories);
     while(it.hasNext()) {
 
-        QByteArray fullpath = QFile::encodeName(PQCConfigFiles::get().ICC_COLOR_PROFILE_DIR() % "/" % it.next());
+        QByteArray fullpath = QFile::encodeName(PQCConfigFiles::get().ICC_COLOR_PROFILE_DIR() + "/" + it.next());
         cmsHPROFILE profile = cmsOpenProfileFromFile(fullpath.constData(), "r");
 
         if(!profile) {
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ void PQCScriptsColorProfiles::loadColorProfileInfo() {
                 QColorSpace sp = QColorSpace::fromIccProfile(iccfile.readAll());
                 if(sp.isValid()) {
                     m_externalColorProfiles << fn;
-                    m_externalColorProfileDescriptions << sp.description() % " <i>(system)</i>";
+                    m_externalColorProfileDescriptions << sp.description() + " <i>(system)</i>";
                 }
             }
         }
@@ -329,7 +329,7 @@ bool PQCScriptsColorProfiles::importColorProfile() {
                 }
             }
 
-            const QString targetFN = PQCConfigFiles::get().ICC_COLOR_PROFILE_DIR() % "/" % info.fileName();
+            const QString targetFN = PQCConfigFiles::get().ICC_COLOR_PROFILE_DIR() + "/" + info.fileName();
             if(QFile::exists(targetFN))
                 QFile::remove(targetFN);
 
diff --git a/cplusplus/singletons/scripts/pqc_scriptsconfig.cpp b/cplusplus/singletons/scripts/pqc_scriptsconfig.cpp
index 6b6aaf14d..4f9e86cbe 100644
--- a/cplusplus/singletons/scripts/pqc_scriptsconfig.cpp
+++ b/cplusplus/singletons/scripts/pqc_scriptsconfig.cpp
@@ -107,85 +107,85 @@ QString PQCScriptsConfig::getConfigInfo(bool formatHTML) {
 
     QString txt = "";
 
-    txt += " - Compiled with " % bold1 % "Qt " % QT_VERSION_STR % bold2 % ", running with " % bold1 % "Qt " % qVersion() % bold2 % nl;
+    txt += " - Compiled with " + bold1 + "Qt " + QT_VERSION_STR + bold2 + ", running with " + bold1 + "Qt " + qVersion() + bold2 + nl;
 
 #ifdef PQMPORTABLETWEAKS
-    txt += " - Portable version" % nl;
+    txt += " - Portable version" + nl;
 #endif
 
 #ifdef PQMEXIV2
-    txt += " - " % bold1 % "Exiv2" % bold2 % ": " % Exiv2::version() % nl;
+    txt += " - " + bold1 + "Exiv2" + bold2 + ": " + Exiv2::version() + nl;
 #endif
 
 #ifdef PQMPUGIXML
-    txt += " - " % bold1 % "pugixml" % bold2 % ": " % QString::number((PUGIXML_VERSION)/1000.) % nl;
+    txt += " - " + bold1 + "pugixml" + bold2 + ": " + QString::number((PUGIXML_VERSION)/1000.) + nl;
 #endif
 
 #ifdef PQMCHROMECAST
-    txt += " - " % bold1 % "Chromecast" % bold2 % nl;
+    txt += " - " + bold1 + "Chromecast" + bold2 + nl;
 #endif
 
 #ifdef PQMRAW
-    txt += " - " % bold1 % "LibRaw" % bold2 % ": " % LibRaw::version() % nl;
+    txt += " - " + bold1 + "LibRaw" + bold2 + ": " + LibRaw::version() + nl;
 #endif
 
 #ifdef PQMPOPPLER
-    txt += " - " % bold1 % "Poppler" % bold2 % ": " % POPPLER_VERSION % nl;
+    txt += " - " + bold1 + "Poppler" + bold2 + ": " + POPPLER_VERSION + nl;
 #endif
 
 #ifdef PQMQTPDF
-    txt += " - " % bold1 % "QtPDF" % bold2 % nl;
+    txt += " - " + bold1 + "QtPDF" + bold2 + nl;
 #endif
 
 #ifdef PQMLIBARCHIVE
-    txt += " - " % bold1 % "LibArchive" % bold2 % ": " % ARCHIVE_VERSION_ONLY_STRING % nl;
+    txt += " - " + bold1 + "LibArchive" + bold2 + ": " + ARCHIVE_VERSION_ONLY_STRING + nl;
 #endif
 
 #ifdef PQMIMAGEMAGICK
-    txt += " - " % bold1 % "ImageMagick" % bold2 % ": " % MagickLibVersionText % nl;
+    txt += " - " + bold1 + "ImageMagick" + bold2 + ": " + MagickLibVersionText + nl;
 #endif
 
 #ifdef PQMGRAPHICSMAGICK
-    txt += " - " % bold1 % "GraphicsMagick" % bold2 % ": " % MagickLibVersionText % nl;
+    txt += " - " + bold1 + "GraphicsMagick" + bold2 + ": " + MagickLibVersionText + nl;
 #endif
 
 #ifdef PQMDEVIL
-    txt += " - " % bold1 % "DevIL" % bold2 % ": " % QString::number(IL_VERSION) % nl;
+    txt += " - " + bold1 + "DevIL" + bold2 + ": " + QString::number(IL_VERSION) + nl;
 #endif
 
 #ifdef PQMLIBSAI
-    txt += " - " % bold1 % "LibSai" % bold2 % nl;
+    txt += " - " + bold1 + "LibSai" + bold2 + nl;
 #endif
 
 #ifdef PQMLOCATION
-    txt += " - " % bold1 % "Location" % bold2 % nl;
+    txt += " - " + bold1 + "Location" + bold2 + nl;
 #endif
 
 #ifdef PQMMOTIONPHOTO
-    txt += " - " % bold1 % "Motion Photo" % bold2 % nl;
+    txt += " - " + bold1 + "Motion Photo" + bold2 + nl;
 #endif
 
 #ifdef PQMVIDEOQT
-    txt += " - " % bold1 % "Video" % bold2 % " through Qt" % nl;
+    txt += " - " + bold1 + "Video" + bold2 + " through Qt" + nl;
 #endif
 
 #ifdef PQMLCMS2
-    txt += " - " % bold1 % "LittleCMS" % bold2 % ": " % QString::number(LCMS_VERSION) % nl;
+    txt += " - " + bold1 + "LittleCMS" + bold2 + ": " + QString::number(LCMS_VERSION) + nl;
 #endif
 
 #ifdef PQMVIDEOMPV
     mpv_handle *mpv = mpv_create();
     if(mpv_initialize(mpv) < 0)
         throw std::runtime_error("could not initialize mpv context");
-    txt += " - " % bold1 % "libmpv" % bold2 % ": " % mpv::qt::get_property(mpv, "mpv-version").toString() % " (ffmpeg: " % mpv::qt::get_property(mpv, "ffmpeg-version").toString() % ")" % nl;
+    txt += " - " + bold1 + "libmpv" + bold2 + ": " + mpv::qt::get_property(mpv, "mpv-version").toString() + " (ffmpeg: " + mpv::qt::get_property(mpv, "ffmpeg-version").toString() + ")" + nl;
 #endif
 
-    txt += " - " % bold1 % "Qt" % bold2 % " image formats available:" % spacing % nl;
+    txt += " - " + bold1 + "Qt" + bold2 + " image formats available:" + spacing + nl;
     QImageReader reader;
     auto formats = reader.supportedImageFormats();
     for(int i = 0; i < formats.length(); ++i) {
         if(i != 0 && i%10 == 0)
-            txt += nl % spacing;
+            txt += nl + spacing;
         txt += QString("%1, ").arg(QString(formats[i]), 5);
     }
 
@@ -214,7 +214,7 @@ bool PQCScriptsConfig::exportConfigTo(QString path) {
     if(path.isEmpty()) {
         archiveFile = QFileDialog::getSaveFileName(0,
                                                    "Select Location",
-                                                   QDir::homePath() % "/photoqtconfig.pqt",
+                                                   QDir::homePath() + "/photoqtconfig.pqt",
                                                    "PhotoQt Config File (*.pqt);;All Files (*.*)");
         if(archiveFile.trimmed().isEmpty())
             return false;
@@ -237,7 +237,7 @@ bool PQCScriptsConfig::exportConfigTo(QString path) {
         qWarning() << "Unable to create temporary file";
         return false;
     }
-    PQCHelper::zipDirectory(PQCConfigFiles::get().CONFIG_DIR()%"/imageplugins/", tempfile.fileName());
+    PQCHelper::zipDirectory(PQCConfigFiles::get().CONFIG_DIR()+"/imageplugins/", tempfile.fileName());
     allfiles["CFG_IMAGEPLUGINS"] = tempfile.fileName();
 
     // handler to the file
@@ -395,7 +395,7 @@ bool PQCScriptsConfig::importConfigFrom(QString path) {
     if(r != ARCHIVE_OK)
         qWarning() << "ERROR: archive_read_free() returned code of" << r;
 
-    const QString newPath = PQCConfigFiles::get().CONFIG_DIR() % "/to_be_imported.pqt";
+    const QString newPath = PQCConfigFiles::get().CONFIG_DIR() + "/to_be_imported.pqt";
     if(QFile::exists(newPath)) {
         if(!QFile::remove(newPath)) {
             qWarning() << "Unable to remove special import file, something went very wrong!";
@@ -651,7 +651,7 @@ bool PQCScriptsConfig::askForConfirmation(QString title, QString text, QString i
 }
 
 bool PQCScriptsConfig::setInterfaceForNextStartup(QString variant) {
-    QFile file(PQCConfigFiles::get().CACHE_DIR() % "/nextstartupvariant");
+    QFile file(PQCConfigFiles::get().CACHE_DIR() + "/nextstartupvariant");
     if(!file.open(QIODevice::WriteOnly|QIODevice::Truncate)) {
         qWarning() << "Unable to toggle interface variant";
         return false;
@@ -663,7 +663,7 @@ bool PQCScriptsConfig::setInterfaceForNextStartup(QString variant) {
 }
 
 QString PQCScriptsConfig::getInterfaceForNextStartup() {
-    QFile file(PQCConfigFiles::get().CACHE_DIR() % "/nextstartupvariant");
+    QFile file(PQCConfigFiles::get().CACHE_DIR() + "/nextstartupvariant");
     if(!file.exists()) return "";
     if(!file.open(QIODevice::ReadOnly)) {
         qWarning() << "Unable to read toggled interface variant";
diff --git a/cplusplus/singletons/scripts/pqc_scriptsfilemanagement.cpp b/cplusplus/singletons/scripts/pqc_scriptsfilemanagement.cpp
index 3d7943467..95b74e6a5 100644
--- a/cplusplus/singletons/scripts/pqc_scriptsfilemanagement.cpp
+++ b/cplusplus/singletons/scripts/pqc_scriptsfilemanagement.cpp
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ bool PQCScriptsFileManagement::copyFileToHere(QString filename, QString targetdi
     if(!info.exists())
         return false;
 
-    QString targetFilename = targetdir % "/" % info.fileName();
+    QString targetFilename = targetdir + "/" + info.fileName();
 
     // file copied to itself
     if(targetFilename == filename)
@@ -177,8 +177,8 @@ bool PQCScriptsFileManagement::renameFile(QString dir, QString oldName, QString
     qDebug() << "args: oldName =" << oldName;
     qDebug() << "args: newName =" << newName;
 
-    QFile file(dir % "/" % oldName);
-    return file.rename(dir % "/" % newName);
+    QFile file(dir + "/" + oldName);
+    return file.rename(dir + "/" + newName);
 
 }
 
@@ -270,14 +270,14 @@ QString PQCScriptsFileManagement::undoLastAction(QString action) {
         QFile delFile(act.at(1).toString());
 
         QFileInfo info(act.at(1).toString());
-        QFile infoFile(QDir::cleanPath(info.absolutePath() % "/../info/" % info.fileName() % ".trashinfo"));
+        QFile infoFile(QDir::cleanPath(info.absolutePath() + "/../info/" + info.fileName() + ".trashinfo"));
 
         if(origFile.exists()) {
 
             // re-add action to list
             undoTrash.push_back(act);
 
-            return "-" % tr("File with original filename exists already", "filemanagement");
+            return "-" + tr("File with original filename exists already", "filemanagement");
 
         }
 
@@ -298,10 +298,10 @@ QString PQCScriptsFileManagement::undoLastAction(QString action) {
         // re-add action to list
         undoTrash.push_back(act);
 
-        return "-" % tr("Failed to recover file") % ": " % act.at(0).toString();
+        return "-" + tr("Failed to recover file") + ": " + act.at(0).toString();
 
     }
 
-    return "-" % tr("Unknown action") % ": " % action;
+    return "-" + tr("Unknown action") + ": " + action;
 
 }
diff --git a/cplusplus/singletons/scripts/pqc_scriptsfilespaths.cpp b/cplusplus/singletons/scripts/pqc_scriptsfilespaths.cpp
index 6b928e2dd..9cc8aa86d 100644
--- a/cplusplus/singletons/scripts/pqc_scriptsfilespaths.cpp
+++ b/cplusplus/singletons/scripts/pqc_scriptsfilespaths.cpp
@@ -210,7 +210,7 @@ QString PQCScriptsFilesPaths::getFullArchivePath(QString path) {
 
     const int idx2 = path.indexOf("::ARC::");
     if(idx2 != -1)
-        return path.mid(idx+7) % " (" % QString::number(path.mid(0,idx).toInt()+1) % ")";
+        return path.mid(idx+7) + " (" + QString::number(path.mid(0,idx).toInt()+1) + ")";
 
     return path;
 }
@@ -475,9 +475,9 @@ QString PQCScriptsFilesPaths::selectFileFromDialog(QString buttonlabel, QString
     if(!confirmOverwrite)
         diag.setOption(QFileDialog::DontConfirmOverwrite);
     diag.setOption(QFileDialog::DontUseNativeDialog, false);
-    diag.setNameFilter("*." % suffix % ";;All Files (*.*)");
+    diag.setNameFilter("*." + suffix + ";;All Files (*.*)");
     diag.setDirectory(info.absolutePath());
-    diag.selectFile(info.completeBaseName() % "." % info.completeSuffix());
+    diag.selectFile(info.completeBaseName() + "." + info.completeSuffix());
 
     if(diag.exec()) {
         QStringList fileNames = diag.selectedFiles();
@@ -485,7 +485,7 @@ QString PQCScriptsFilesPaths::selectFileFromDialog(QString buttonlabel, QString
             QString fn = fileNames[0];
             QFileInfo newinfo(fn);
             if(newinfo.suffix().isEmpty())
-                return (fn % "." % suffix);
+                return (fn + "." + suffix);
             return fn;
         }
     }
@@ -525,7 +525,7 @@ void PQCScriptsFilesPaths::saveLogToFile(QString txt) {
 
     qDebug() << "args: txt.length = " << txt.length();
 
-    QString newfile = QFileDialog::getSaveFileName(nullptr, QString(), QDir::homePath() % "/photoqt-" % QDateTime::currentDateTime().toString("yyyy-MM-dd_hh-mm") % ".log");
+    QString newfile = QFileDialog::getSaveFileName(nullptr, QString(), QDir::homePath() + "/photoqt-" + QDateTime::currentDateTime().toString("yyyy-MM-dd_hh-mm") + ".log");
 
     if(newfile.isEmpty()) {
         return;
@@ -572,7 +572,7 @@ QStringList PQCScriptsFilesPaths::openFilesFromDialog(QString buttonlabel, QStri
     diag.setAcceptMode(QFileDialog::AcceptOpen);
     diag.setOption(QFileDialog::DontUseNativeDialog, false);
     if(endings.size() > 0)
-        diag.setNameFilter("*." % PQCHelper::setJoin(endings, " *.") % ";;All Files (*.*)");
+        diag.setNameFilter("*." + PQCHelper::setJoin(endings, " *.") + ";;All Files (*.*)");
     if(info.isFile()) {
         diag.setDirectory(info.absolutePath());
         diag.selectFile(info.fileName());
@@ -609,7 +609,7 @@ QString PQCScriptsFilesPaths::createTooltipFilename(const QString fname) {
 
         // if it is too long, then the new character is moved to a new line
         if(metrics.horizontalAdvance(testLine) > 200) {
-            result += currentLine % "\n";
+            result += currentLine + "\n";
             currentLine = c;
         } else {
             currentLine += c;
@@ -640,7 +640,7 @@ QString PQCScriptsFilesPaths::findDropBoxFolder() {
 // https://stackoverflow.com/questions/12118162/how-to-determine-the-dropbox-folder-location-programmatically
 
 #ifdef Q_OS_UNIX
-    QFile f(QDir::homePath() % "/.dropbox/host.db");
+    QFile f(QDir::homePath() + "/.dropbox/host.db");
 #else
     QFile f(QString("%1/Dropbox/host.db").arg(QStandardPaths::AppDataLocation));
 #endif
@@ -664,7 +664,7 @@ QString PQCScriptsFilesPaths::findNextcloudFolder() {
 
 #if defined Q_OS_UNIX || defined Q_OS_WIN
 #if defined Q_OS_UNIX
-    QFile f(QDir::homePath() % "/.config/Nextcloud/nextcloud.cfg");
+    QFile f(QDir::homePath() + "/.config/Nextcloud/nextcloud.cfg");
 #elif defined Q_OS_WIN
     QFile f(QString("%1/Nextcloud/nextcloud.cfg").arg(QStandardPaths::AppDataLocation));
 #endif
@@ -691,7 +691,7 @@ QString PQCScriptsFilesPaths::findOwnCloudFolder() {
 
 #if defined Q_OS_UNIX || defined Q_OS_WIN
 #if defined Q_OS_UNIX
-    QFile f(QDir::homePath() % "/.config/ownCloud/owncloud.cfg");
+    QFile f(QDir::homePath() + "/.config/ownCloud/owncloud.cfg");
 #elif defined Q_OS_WIN
     QFile f(QString("%1/ownCloud/owncloud.cfg").arg(QStandardPaths::AppDataLocation));
 #endif
@@ -733,12 +733,12 @@ QString PQCScriptsFilesPaths::handleAnimatedImagePathAndEncode(QString path) {
     if(info.size() > 268435456)
         return toPercentEncoding(path);
 
-    const QString tempdir = PQCConfigFiles::get().CACHE_DIR() % "/animatedfiles";
+    const QString tempdir = PQCConfigFiles::get().CACHE_DIR() + "/animatedfiles";
     QDir dir(tempdir);
     if(!dir.exists())
         dir.mkdir(tempdir);
 
-    QString targetFilename = PQCConfigFiles::get().CACHE_DIR() % "/animatedfiles/temp" % QString::number(animatedImageTemporaryCounter) % "." % info.suffix();
+    QString targetFilename = PQCConfigFiles::get().CACHE_DIR() + "/animatedfiles/temp" + QString::number(animatedImageTemporaryCounter) + "." + info.suffix();
     QFileInfo targetinfo(targetFilename);
 
     animatedImageTemporaryCounter = (animatedImageTemporaryCounter+1)%5;
@@ -764,23 +764,23 @@ QString PQCScriptsFilesPaths::handleAnimatedImagePathAndEncode(QString path) {
 
 void PQCScriptsFilesPaths::cleanupTemporaryFiles() {
 
-    QDir dir(PQCConfigFiles::get().CACHE_DIR() % "%1/animatedfiles");
+    QDir dir(PQCConfigFiles::get().CACHE_DIR() + "%1/animatedfiles");
     if(dir.exists())
         dir.removeRecursively();
 
-    dir.setPath(PQCConfigFiles::get().CACHE_DIR() % "/archive/");
+    dir.setPath(PQCConfigFiles::get().CACHE_DIR() + "/archive/");
     if(dir.exists())
         dir.removeRecursively();
 
-    dir.setPath(PQCConfigFiles::get().CACHE_DIR() % "/clipboard/");
+    dir.setPath(PQCConfigFiles::get().CACHE_DIR() + "/clipboard/");
     if(dir.exists())
         dir.removeRecursively();
 
-    dir.setPath(PQCConfigFiles::get().CACHE_DIR() % "/motionphotos/");
+    dir.setPath(PQCConfigFiles::get().CACHE_DIR() + "/motionphotos/");
     if(dir.exists())
         dir.removeRecursively();
 
-    dir.setPath(PQCConfigFiles::get().CACHE_DIR() % "/screenshots/");
+    dir.setPath(PQCConfigFiles::get().CACHE_DIR() + "/screenshots/");
     if(dir.exists())
         dir.removeRecursively();
 
@@ -847,7 +847,7 @@ QString PQCScriptsFilesPaths::getSiblingFile(const QString currentFile, const in
 
             // check all previous directories one by one
             for(int i = currentIndex-1; i >= 0; --i) {
-                siblingFile = _findFirstFileinFolderAndSubFolder(prefixDir.absolutePath() % "/" % parentSiblings.at(i), false, remainingIteration, remainingLevelDown);
+                siblingFile = _findFirstFileinFolderAndSubFolder(prefixDir.absolutePath() + "/" + parentSiblings.at(i), false, remainingIteration, remainingLevelDown);
                 // if we found a file or reached maximum iteration level: stop
                 if(!siblingFile.isEmpty() || remainingIteration <= 0) break;
             }
@@ -857,7 +857,7 @@ QString PQCScriptsFilesPaths::getSiblingFile(const QString currentFile, const in
 
             // check all next directories one by one
             for(int i = currentIndex+1; i < parentSiblings.length(); ++i) {
-                siblingFile = _findFirstFileinFolderAndSubFolder(prefixDir.absolutePath() % "/" % parentSiblings.at(i), true, remainingIteration, remainingLevelDown);
+                siblingFile = _findFirstFileinFolderAndSubFolder(prefixDir.absolutePath() + "/" + parentSiblings.at(i), true, remainingIteration, remainingLevelDown);
                 // if we found a file or reached maximum iteration level: stop
                 if(!siblingFile.isEmpty() || remainingIteration <= 0) break;
             }
@@ -894,7 +894,7 @@ QString PQCScriptsFilesPaths::_findFirstFileinFolderAndSubFolder(const QString f
 
         for(const QString &f : std::as_const(fileList)) {
 
-            const QString fullPath = dir.absolutePath() % "/" % f;
+            const QString fullPath = dir.absolutePath() + "/" + f;
 
             const QString suffix = QFileInfo(fullPath).suffix().toLower();
             if(PQCImageHandler::get().getEnabledSuffixes().contains(suffix)) {
diff --git a/cplusplus/singletons/scripts/pqc_scriptslocalization.cpp b/cplusplus/singletons/scripts/pqc_scriptslocalization.cpp
index 70c3b67d2..6ec0e4c93 100644
--- a/cplusplus/singletons/scripts/pqc_scriptslocalization.cpp
+++ b/cplusplus/singletons/scripts/pqc_scriptslocalization.cpp
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ void PQCScriptsLocalization::updateTranslation(QString code) {
     for(const QString &c : allcodes) {
 
         // the load() function will try various filename combinations
-        if(trans.load(":/lang/photoqt_" % c % ".qm")) {
+        if(trans.load(":/lang/photoqt_" + c + ".qm")) {
             currentTranslation = c;
             qApp->installTranslator(&trans);
             break;
diff --git a/cplusplus/singletons/scripts/pqc_scriptsmetadata.cpp b/cplusplus/singletons/scripts/pqc_scriptsmetadata.cpp
index 6be7e8800..4c89fc11b 100644
--- a/cplusplus/singletons/scripts/pqc_scriptsmetadata.cpp
+++ b/cplusplus/singletons/scripts/pqc_scriptsmetadata.cpp
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ QString PQCScriptsMetaData::analyzeDateTimeOriginal(const QString dateTime, cons
 
     const QString inputFormat = (offset.isEmpty() ? "yyyy:MM:dd HH:mm:ss" : "yyyy:MM:dd HH:mm:ssttt");
 
-    const QString combined = dateTime % offset;
+    const QString combined = dateTime + offset;
     QDateTime dt = locale.toDateTime(combined, inputFormat);
 
     if(dt.isValid()) {
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ QString PQCScriptsMetaData::analyzeExposureTime(const QString val) {
     // normalize parts using gcd
     const int gcd = std::gcd(t1, t2);
 
-    return QString::number(t1/gcd) % "/" % QString::number(t2/gcd);
+    return QString::number(t1/gcd) + "/" + QString::number(t2/gcd);
 
 }
 
@@ -143,44 +143,44 @@ QString PQCScriptsMetaData::analyzeFlash(const QString val) {
         case 6:
             return fYesStrobe;
         case 9:
-            return fYes % " (" % fComp % ")";
+            return fYes + " (" + fComp + ")";
         case 13:
-            return fYes % " (" % fComp % ", " % fNoReturn % ")";
+            return fYes + " (" + fComp + ", " + fNoReturn + ")";
         case 15:
-            return fYes % " (" % fComp % ", " % fYesReturn % ")";
+            return fYes + " (" + fComp + ", " + fYesReturn + ")";
         case 16:
-            return fNo % " (" % fComp % ")";
+            return fNo + " (" + fComp + ")";
         case 24:
-            return fNo % " (" % fAuto % ")";
+            return fNo + " (" + fAuto + ")";
         case 25:
-            return fYes % " (" % fAuto % ")";
+            return fYes + " (" + fAuto + ")";
         case 29:
-            return fYes % " (" % fAuto % ", " % fNoReturn % ")";
+            return fYes + " (" + fAuto + ", " + fNoReturn + ")";
         case 31:
-            return fYes % " (" % fAuto % ", " % fYesReturn % ")";
+            return fYes + " (" + fAuto + ", " + fYesReturn + ")";
         case 32:
             return fNoFlash;
         case 65:
-            return fYes % " (" % fRed % ")";
+            return fYes + " (" + fRed + ")";
         case 69:
-            return fYes % " (" % fRed % ", " % fNoReturn % ")";
+            return fYes + " (" + fRed + ", " + fNoReturn + ")";
         case 71:
-            return fYes % " (" % fRed % ", " % fYesReturn % ")";
+            return fYes + " (" + fRed + ", " + fYesReturn + ")";
         case 73:
-            return fYes % " (" % fComp % ", " % fRed % ")";
+            return fYes + " (" + fComp + ", " + fRed + ")";
         case 77:
-            return fYes % " (" % fComp % ", " % fRed % ", " % fNoReturn % ")";
+            return fYes + " (" + fComp + ", " + fRed + ", " + fNoReturn + ")";
         case 79:
-            return fYes % " (" % fComp % ", " % fRed % ", " % fYesReturn % ")";
+            return fYes + " (" + fComp + ", " + fRed + ", " + fYesReturn + ")";
         case 89:
-            return fYes % " (" % fAuto % ", " % fRed % ")";
+            return fYes + " (" + fAuto + ", " + fRed + ")";
         case 93:
-            return fYes % " (" % fAuto % ", " % fNoReturn % ", " % fRed % ")";
+            return fYes + " (" + fAuto + ", " + fNoReturn + ", " + fRed + ")";
         case 95:
-            return fYes % " (" % fAuto % ", " % fYesReturn % ", " % fRed % ")";
+            return fYes + " (" + fAuto + ", " + fYesReturn + ", " + fRed + ")";
         default:
             //: This string refers to a flash mode, stored in image metadata
-            return tr("Invalid flash") % " " % val;
+            return tr("Invalid flash") + " " + val;
     }
 
 }
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ QString PQCScriptsMetaData::analyzeSceneCaptureType(const QString val) {
         return tr("Night Scene");
     else
         //: This string refers to a type of scene, stored in image metadata
-        return tr("Invalid Scene Type") % " " % val;
+        return tr("Invalid Scene Type") + " " + val;
 
 }
 
@@ -285,25 +285,25 @@ QString PQCScriptsMetaData::analyzeLightSource(const QString val) {
             return tr("Shade");
         case 12:
             //: This string refers to the light source stored in image metadata
-            return tr("Daylight fluorescent") % " (D 5700 - 7100K)";
+            return tr("Daylight fluorescent") + " (D 5700 - 7100K)";
         case 13:
             //: This string refers to the light source stored in image metadata
-            return tr("Day white fluorescent") % " (N 4600 - 5400K)";
+            return tr("Day white fluorescent") + " (N 4600 - 5400K)";
         case 14:
             //: This string refers to the light source stored in image metadata
-            return tr("Cool white fluorescent") % " (W 3900 - 4500K)";
+            return tr("Cool white fluorescent") + " (W 3900 - 4500K)";
         case 15:
             //: This string refers to the light source stored in image metadata
-            return tr("White fluorescent") % " (WW 3200 - 3700K)";
+            return tr("White fluorescent") + " (WW 3200 - 3700K)";
         case 17:
             //: This string refers to the light source stored in image metadata
-            return tr("Standard light") % " A";
+            return tr("Standard light") + " A";
         case 18:
             //: This string refers to the light source stored in image metadata
-            return tr("Standard light") % " B";
+            return tr("Standard light") + " B";
         case 19:
             //: This string refers to the light source stored in image metadata
-            return tr("Standard light") % " C";
+            return tr("Standard light") + " C";
         case 20:
             return "D55";
         case 21:
@@ -319,7 +319,7 @@ QString PQCScriptsMetaData::analyzeLightSource(const QString val) {
             return tr("Other light source");
         default:
             //: This string refers to the light source stored in image metadata
-            return tr("Invalid light source") % " " % val;
+            return tr("Invalid light source") + " " + val;
     }
 
 }
@@ -334,7 +334,7 @@ QString PQCScriptsMetaData::analyzeGPS(QString latRef, QString lat, QString lonR
     if(latRef.isEmpty()) latRef = "N";
     if(lonRef.isEmpty()) lonRef = "E";
 
-    return _analyzeGPSHelper(lat) % " " % latRef % ", " % _analyzeGPSHelper(lon) % " " % lonRef;
+    return _analyzeGPSHelper(lat) + " " + latRef + ", " + _analyzeGPSHelper(lon) + " " + lonRef;
 
 }
 
@@ -374,11 +374,11 @@ QString PQCScriptsMetaData::_analyzeGPSHelper(QString pos) {
         split.replace(2, QString::number(split.at(2).toDouble()+calcSecs*60));
 
     if(split.length() == 3)
-        return split.at(0) % "°" % split.at(1) % "'" % split.at(2) % "\"";
+        return split.at(0) + "°" + split.at(1) + "'" + split.at(2) + "\"";
     else if(split.length() == 2)
-        return split.at(0) % "°" % split.at(1) % "'0\"";
+        return split.at(0) + "°" + split.at(1) + "'0\"";
     else if(split.length() == 1)
-        return split.at(0) % "°0'0\"";
+        return split.at(0) + "°0'0\"";
 
     return pos;
 
@@ -452,7 +452,7 @@ QString PQCScriptsMetaData::convertGPSToDecimalForOpenStreetMap(QString gps) {
     if(pt.x() == 9999)
         return "";
 
-    return QString::number(pt.x()) % "/" % QString::number(pt.y());
+    return QString::number(pt.x()) + "/" + QString::number(pt.y());
 
 }
 
diff --git a/cplusplus/singletons/scripts/pqc_scriptsother.cpp b/cplusplus/singletons/scripts/pqc_scriptsother.cpp
index ae5c8934b..ae91b8517 100644
--- a/cplusplus/singletons/scripts/pqc_scriptsother.cpp
+++ b/cplusplus/singletons/scripts/pqc_scriptsother.cpp
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ void PQCScriptsOther::deleteScreenshots() {
     qDebug() << "";
     int count = 0;
     while(true) {
-        QFile file(QDir::tempPath() % "/photoqt_screenshot_" % QString::number(count) % ".jpg");
+        QFile file(QDir::tempPath() + "/photoqt_screenshot_" + QString::number(count) + ".jpg");
         if(file.exists())
             file.remove();
         else
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ void PQCScriptsOther::printFile(QString filename) {
 
     // get the starting output filename (directory stored, filename based on image filename)
     QFileInfo info(filename);
-    printer.setOutputFileName(info.absolutePath() % "/" % info.baseName());
+    printer.setOutputFileName(info.absolutePath() + "/" + info.baseName());
 
     // the additional image options tab
     PQCPrintTabImageOptions *imageoptions = new PQCPrintTabImageOptions(printer.pageLayout().pageSize().rect(QPageSize::Millimeter).size());