diff --git a/src/image/codec/gdiplus-image.cpp b/src/image/codec/gdiplus-image.cpp
index 8989bc3d..1ee21ff7 100644
--- a/src/image/codec/gdiplus-image.cpp
+++ b/src/image/codec/gdiplus-image.cpp
@@ -17,7 +17,12 @@
 #   include <algorithm>
 using std::min;
 using std::max;
+#   define WIN32_LEAN_AND_MEAN 1
 #   include <windows.h>
+#   undef NEAR // avoids errors in <objidl.h>
+#   undef FAR
+#   define NEAR
+#   define FAR
 #   include <objidl.h> // for DEFINE_GUID
 #   include <gdiplus.h>
 
diff --git a/src/lol/sys/thread.h b/src/lol/sys/thread.h
index 8f3257c3..7ab05517 100644
--- a/src/lol/sys/thread.h
+++ b/src/lol/sys/thread.h
@@ -31,7 +31,9 @@
  * https://connect.microsoft.com/VisualStudio/feedback/details/747145 */
 #if defined(_MSC_VER) && (_MSC_VER < 1900)
 #   define LOL_VISUAL_STUDIO_BUG_747145_WORKAROUND 1
+#   define WIN32_LEAN_AND_MEAN 1
 #   include <windows.h>
+#   undef WIN32_LEAN_AND_MEAN
 #   undef near /* Fuck Microsoft */
 #   undef far /* Fuck Microsoft again */
 #endif
diff --git a/src/platform/d3d9/d3d9input.cpp b/src/platform/d3d9/d3d9input.cpp
index d66d273b..61619466 100644
--- a/src/platform/d3d9/d3d9input.cpp
+++ b/src/platform/d3d9/d3d9input.cpp
@@ -57,27 +57,27 @@ D3d9Input::D3d9Input()
         // TODO: we can put more friendly name here, such as LeftAxisX, ButtonX...
         InputDeviceInternal* stick = new InputDeviceInternal(g_name_joystick(i + 1));
 
-        stick->AddAxis(g_name_xbox_axis_left_x.C());
-        stick->AddAxis(g_name_xbox_axis_left_y.C());
-        stick->AddAxis(g_name_xbox_axis_right_x.C());
-        stick->AddAxis(g_name_xbox_axis_right_y.C());
-        stick->AddAxis(g_name_xbox_axis_left_trigger.C());
-        stick->AddAxis(g_name_xbox_axis_right_trigger.C());
-
-        stick->AddKey(g_name_xbox_key_dpad_up.C());
-        stick->AddKey(g_name_xbox_key_dpad_down.C());
-        stick->AddKey(g_name_xbox_key_dpad_left.C());
-        stick->AddKey(g_name_xbox_key_dpad_right.C());
-        stick->AddKey(g_name_xbox_key_start.C());
-        stick->AddKey(g_name_xbox_key_back.C());
-        stick->AddKey(g_name_xbox_key_left_thumb.C());
-        stick->AddKey(g_name_xbox_key_right_thumb.C());
-        stick->AddKey(g_name_xbox_key_left_shoulder.C());
-        stick->AddKey(g_name_xbox_key_right_shoulder.C());
-        stick->AddKey(g_name_xbox_key_a.C());
-        stick->AddKey(g_name_xbox_key_b.C());
-        stick->AddKey(g_name_xbox_key_x.C());
-        stick->AddKey(g_name_xbox_key_y.C());
+        stick->AddAxis(g_name_xbox_axis_left_x.c_str());
+        stick->AddAxis(g_name_xbox_axis_left_y.c_str());
+        stick->AddAxis(g_name_xbox_axis_right_x.c_str());
+        stick->AddAxis(g_name_xbox_axis_right_y.c_str());
+        stick->AddAxis(g_name_xbox_axis_left_trigger.c_str());
+        stick->AddAxis(g_name_xbox_axis_right_trigger.c_str());
+
+        stick->AddKey(g_name_xbox_key_dpad_up.c_str());
+        stick->AddKey(g_name_xbox_key_dpad_down.c_str());
+        stick->AddKey(g_name_xbox_key_dpad_left.c_str());
+        stick->AddKey(g_name_xbox_key_dpad_right.c_str());
+        stick->AddKey(g_name_xbox_key_start.c_str());
+        stick->AddKey(g_name_xbox_key_back.c_str());
+        stick->AddKey(g_name_xbox_key_left_thumb.c_str());
+        stick->AddKey(g_name_xbox_key_right_thumb.c_str());
+        stick->AddKey(g_name_xbox_key_left_shoulder.c_str());
+        stick->AddKey(g_name_xbox_key_right_shoulder.c_str());
+        stick->AddKey(g_name_xbox_key_a.c_str());
+        stick->AddKey(g_name_xbox_key_b.c_str());
+        stick->AddKey(g_name_xbox_key_x.c_str());
+        stick->AddKey(g_name_xbox_key_y.c_str());
 
         m_data->m_joysticks.push(i, stick);
     }