diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 2b1d1f0b3..802dfbd4a 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -117,6 +117,7 @@
 - Dev: Channels without any animated elements on screen will skip updates from the GIF timer. (#5042, #5043, #5045)
 - Dev: Autogenerate docs/plugin-meta.lua. (#5055)
 - Dev: Refactor `NetworkPrivate`. (#5063)
+- Dev: Refactor `Paths` & `Updates`, focusing on reducing their singletoniability. (#5092)
 - Dev: Removed duplicate scale in settings dialog. (#5069)
 - Dev: Fix `NotebookTab` emitting updates for every message. (#5068)
 - Dev: Added benchmark for parsing and building recent messages. (#5071)
diff --git a/mocks/include/mocks/EmptyApplication.hpp b/mocks/include/mocks/EmptyApplication.hpp
index 84cadffc0..26395e079 100644
--- a/mocks/include/mocks/EmptyApplication.hpp
+++ b/mocks/include/mocks/EmptyApplication.hpp
@@ -2,14 +2,26 @@
 
 #include "Application.hpp"
 #include "common/Args.hpp"
+#include "singletons/Paths.hpp"
+#include "singletons/Updates.hpp"
 
 namespace chatterino::mock {
 
 class EmptyApplication : public IApplication
 {
 public:
+    EmptyApplication()
+        : updates_(this->paths_)
+    {
+    }
+
     virtual ~EmptyApplication() = default;
 
+    const Paths &getPaths() override
+    {
+        return this->paths_;
+    }
+
     const Args &getArgs() override
     {
         return this->args_;
@@ -168,8 +180,15 @@ public:
         return nullptr;
     }
 
+    Updates &getUpdates() override
+    {
+        return this->updates_;
+    }
+
 private:
+    Paths paths_;
     Args args_;
+    Updates updates_;
 };
 
 }  // namespace chatterino::mock
diff --git a/src/Application.cpp b/src/Application.cpp
index eb181b9b0..786bb5bf8 100644
--- a/src/Application.cpp
+++ b/src/Application.cpp
@@ -107,18 +107,20 @@ IApplication::IApplication()
 // It will create the instances of the major classes, and connect their signals
 // to each other
 
-Application::Application(Settings &_settings, Paths &_paths, const Args &_args)
-    : args_(_args)
+Application::Application(Settings &_settings, const Paths &paths,
+                         const Args &_args, Updates &_updates)
+    : paths_(paths)
+    , args_(_args)
     , themes(&this->emplace<Theme>())
     , fonts(&this->emplace<Fonts>())
     , emotes(&this->emplace<Emotes>())
     , accounts(&this->emplace<AccountController>())
     , hotkeys(&this->emplace<HotkeyController>())
-    , windows(&this->emplace<WindowManager>())
+    , windows(&this->emplace(new WindowManager(paths)))
     , toasts(&this->emplace<Toasts>())
     , imageUploader(&this->emplace<ImageUploader>())
     , seventvAPI(&this->emplace<SeventvAPI>())
-    , crashHandler(&this->emplace<CrashHandler>())
+    , crashHandler(&this->emplace(new CrashHandler(paths)))
 
     , commands(&this->emplace<CommandController>())
     , notifications(&this->emplace<NotificationController>())
@@ -127,14 +129,15 @@ Application::Application(Settings &_settings, Paths &_paths, const Args &_args)
     , chatterinoBadges(&this->emplace<ChatterinoBadges>())
     , ffzBadges(&this->emplace<FfzBadges>())
     , seventvBadges(&this->emplace<SeventvBadges>())
-    , userData(&this->emplace<UserDataController>())
+    , userData(&this->emplace(new UserDataController(paths)))
     , sound(&this->emplace<ISoundController>(makeSoundController(_settings)))
     , twitchLiveController(&this->emplace<TwitchLiveController>())
     , twitchPubSub(new PubSub(TWITCH_PUBSUB_URL))
     , logging(new Logging(_settings))
 #ifdef CHATTERINO_HAVE_PLUGINS
-    , plugins(&this->emplace<PluginController>())
+    , plugins(&this->emplace(new PluginController(paths)))
 #endif
+    , updates(_updates)
 {
     Application::instance = this;
 
@@ -152,7 +155,7 @@ void Application::fakeDtor()
     this->twitchPubSub.reset();
 }
 
-void Application::initialize(Settings &settings, Paths &paths)
+void Application::initialize(Settings &settings, const Paths &paths)
 {
     assert(isAppInitialized == false);
     isAppInitialized = true;
@@ -237,8 +240,8 @@ int Application::run(QApplication &qtApp)
     }
 
     getSettings()->betaUpdates.connect(
-        [] {
-            Updates::instance().checkForUpdates();
+        [this] {
+            this->updates.checkForUpdates();
         },
         false);
 
@@ -340,7 +343,7 @@ void Application::save()
     }
 }
 
-void Application::initNm(Paths &paths)
+void Application::initNm(const Paths &paths)
 {
     (void)paths;
 
diff --git a/src/Application.hpp b/src/Application.hpp
index fb84d7f50..716d0f476 100644
--- a/src/Application.hpp
+++ b/src/Application.hpp
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ class Args;
 class TwitchIrcServer;
 class ITwitchIrcServer;
 class PubSub;
+class Updates;
 
 class CommandController;
 class AccountController;
@@ -55,6 +56,7 @@ public:
 
     static IApplication *instance;
 
+    virtual const Paths &getPaths() = 0;
     virtual const Args &getArgs() = 0;
     virtual Theme *getThemes() = 0;
     virtual Fonts *getFonts() = 0;
@@ -78,10 +80,12 @@ public:
     virtual ITwitchLiveController *getTwitchLiveController() = 0;
     virtual ImageUploader *getImageUploader() = 0;
     virtual SeventvAPI *getSeventvAPI() = 0;
+    virtual Updates &getUpdates() = 0;
 };
 
 class Application : public IApplication
 {
+    const Paths &paths_;
     const Args &args_;
     std::vector<std::unique_ptr<Singleton>> singletons_;
     int argc_{};
@@ -90,7 +94,8 @@ class Application : public IApplication
 public:
     static Application *instance;
 
-    Application(Settings &_settings, Paths &_paths, const Args &_args);
+    Application(Settings &_settings, const Paths &paths, const Args &_args,
+                Updates &_updates);
     ~Application() override;
 
     Application(const Application &) = delete;
@@ -104,7 +109,7 @@ public:
      */
     void fakeDtor();
 
-    void initialize(Settings &settings, Paths &paths);
+    void initialize(Settings &settings, const Paths &paths);
     void load();
     void save();
 
@@ -143,6 +148,10 @@ public:
     PluginController *const plugins{};
 #endif
 
+    const Paths &getPaths() override
+    {
+        return this->paths_;
+    }
     const Args &getArgs() override
     {
         return this->args_;
@@ -214,6 +223,10 @@ public:
     {
         return this->seventvAPI;
     }
+    Updates &getUpdates() override
+    {
+        return this->updates;
+    }
 
     pajlada::Signals::NoArgSignal streamerModeChanged;
 
@@ -222,7 +235,7 @@ private:
     void initPubSub();
     void initBttvLiveUpdates();
     void initSeventvEventAPI();
-    void initNm(Paths &paths);
+    void initNm(const Paths &paths);
 
     template <typename T,
               typename = std::enable_if_t<std::is_base_of<Singleton, T>::value>>
@@ -242,6 +255,7 @@ private:
     }
 
     NativeMessagingServer nmServer{};
+    Updates &updates;
 };
 
 Application *getApp();
diff --git a/src/RunGui.cpp b/src/RunGui.cpp
index 91f2f2985..87adf72d8 100644
--- a/src/RunGui.cpp
+++ b/src/RunGui.cpp
@@ -98,9 +98,9 @@ namespace {
         installCustomPalette();
     }
 
-    void showLastCrashDialog(const Args &args)
+    void showLastCrashDialog(const Args &args, const Paths &paths)
     {
-        auto *dialog = new LastRunCrashDialog(args);
+        auto *dialog = new LastRunCrashDialog(args, paths);
         // Use exec() over open() to block the app from being loaded
         // and to be able to set the safe mode.
         dialog->exec();
@@ -223,7 +223,8 @@ namespace {
     }
 }  // namespace
 
-void runGui(QApplication &a, Paths &paths, Settings &settings, const Args &args)
+void runGui(QApplication &a, const Paths &paths, Settings &settings,
+            const Args &args, Updates &updates)
 {
     initQt();
     initResources();
@@ -232,7 +233,7 @@ void runGui(QApplication &a, Paths &paths, Settings &settings, const Args &args)
 #ifdef Q_OS_WIN
     if (args.crashRecovery)
     {
-        showLastCrashDialog(args);
+        showLastCrashDialog(args, paths);
     }
 #endif
 
@@ -269,9 +270,9 @@ void runGui(QApplication &a, Paths &paths, Settings &settings, const Args &args)
     });
 
     chatterino::NetworkManager::init();
-    chatterino::Updates::instance().checkForUpdates();
+    updates.checkForUpdates();
 
-    Application app(settings, paths, args);
+    Application app(settings, paths, args, updates);
     app.initialize(settings, paths);
     app.run(a);
     app.save();
diff --git a/src/RunGui.hpp b/src/RunGui.hpp
index 61bd41f0b..daf4cf155 100644
--- a/src/RunGui.hpp
+++ b/src/RunGui.hpp
@@ -7,8 +7,9 @@ namespace chatterino {
 class Args;
 class Paths;
 class Settings;
+class Updates;
 
-void runGui(QApplication &a, Paths &paths, Settings &settings,
-            const Args &args);
+void runGui(QApplication &a, const Paths &paths, Settings &settings,
+            const Args &args, Updates &updates);
 
 }  // namespace chatterino
diff --git a/src/common/Args.cpp b/src/common/Args.cpp
index 4ef1695cc..145fe6da4 100644
--- a/src/common/Args.cpp
+++ b/src/common/Args.cpp
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ QStringList extractCommandLine(
 
 namespace chatterino {
 
-Args::Args(const QApplication &app)
+Args::Args(const QApplication &app, const Paths &paths)
 {
     QCommandLineParser parser;
     parser.setApplicationDescription("Chatterino 2 Client for Twitch Chat");
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ Args::Args(const QApplication &app)
 
     if (parser.isSet(channelLayout))
     {
-        this->applyCustomChannelLayout(parser.value(channelLayout));
+        this->applyCustomChannelLayout(parser.value(channelLayout), paths);
     }
 
     this->verbose = parser.isSet(verboseOption);
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ QStringList Args::currentArguments() const
     return this->currentArguments_;
 }
 
-void Args::applyCustomChannelLayout(const QString &argValue)
+void Args::applyCustomChannelLayout(const QString &argValue, const Paths &paths)
 {
     WindowLayout layout;
     WindowDescriptor window;
@@ -187,10 +187,9 @@ void Args::applyCustomChannelLayout(const QString &argValue)
     window.type_ = WindowType::Main;
 
     // Load main window layout from config file so we can use the same geometry
-    const QRect configMainLayout = [] {
-        const QString windowLayoutFile =
-            combinePath(getPaths()->settingsDirectory,
-                        WindowManager::WINDOW_LAYOUT_FILENAME);
+    const QRect configMainLayout = [paths] {
+        const QString windowLayoutFile = combinePath(
+            paths.settingsDirectory, WindowManager::WINDOW_LAYOUT_FILENAME);
 
         const WindowLayout configLayout =
             WindowLayout::loadFromFile(windowLayoutFile);
diff --git a/src/common/Args.hpp b/src/common/Args.hpp
index a60e988fc..60f606f4e 100644
--- a/src/common/Args.hpp
+++ b/src/common/Args.hpp
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@
 
 namespace chatterino {
 
+class Paths;
+
 /// Command line arguments passed to Chatterino.
 ///
 /// All accepted arguments:
@@ -31,7 +33,7 @@ class Args
 {
 public:
     Args() = default;
-    Args(const QApplication &app);
+    Args(const QApplication &app, const Paths &paths);
 
     bool printVersion{};
 
@@ -56,7 +58,7 @@ public:
     QStringList currentArguments() const;
 
 private:
-    void applyCustomChannelLayout(const QString &argValue);
+    void applyCustomChannelLayout(const QString &argValue, const Paths &paths);
 
     QStringList currentArguments_;
 };
diff --git a/src/common/Credentials.cpp b/src/common/Credentials.cpp
index 7e95bb4cc..13d056e27 100644
--- a/src/common/Credentials.cpp
+++ b/src/common/Credentials.cpp
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 #include "common/Credentials.hpp"
 
+#include "Application.hpp"
 #include "debug/AssertInGuiThread.hpp"
 #include "singletons/Paths.hpp"
 #include "singletons/Settings.hpp"
@@ -40,7 +41,7 @@ bool useKeyring()
 #ifdef NO_QTKEYCHAIN
     return false;
 #endif
-    if (getPaths()->isPortable())
+    if (getIApp()->getPaths().isPortable())
     {
         return false;
     }
@@ -55,7 +56,8 @@ bool useKeyring()
 // Insecure storage:
 QString insecurePath()
 {
-    return combinePath(getPaths()->settingsDirectory, "credentials.json");
+    return combinePath(getIApp()->getPaths().settingsDirectory,
+                       "credentials.json");
 }
 
 QJsonDocument loadInsecure()
diff --git a/src/common/Singleton.hpp b/src/common/Singleton.hpp
index 2e47dec3f..f94d7152a 100644
--- a/src/common/Singleton.hpp
+++ b/src/common/Singleton.hpp
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ public:
     Singleton(Singleton &&) = delete;
     Singleton &operator=(Singleton &&) = delete;
 
-    virtual void initialize(Settings &settings, Paths &paths)
+    virtual void initialize(Settings &settings, const Paths &paths)
     {
         (void)(settings);
         (void)(paths);
diff --git a/src/common/network/NetworkPrivate.cpp b/src/common/network/NetworkPrivate.cpp
index cac722ccf..adf46b6f7 100644
--- a/src/common/network/NetworkPrivate.cpp
+++ b/src/common/network/NetworkPrivate.cpp
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 #include "common/network/NetworkPrivate.hpp"
 
+#include "Application.hpp"
 #include "common/network/NetworkManager.hpp"
 #include "common/network/NetworkResult.hpp"
 #include "common/network/NetworkTask.hpp"
@@ -57,7 +58,8 @@ void loadUncached(std::shared_ptr<NetworkData> &&data)
 
 void loadCached(std::shared_ptr<NetworkData> &&data)
 {
-    QFile cachedFile(getPaths()->cacheDirectory() + "/" + data->getHash());
+    QFile cachedFile(getIApp()->getPaths().cacheDirectory() + "/" +
+                     data->getHash());
 
     if (!cachedFile.exists() || !cachedFile.open(QIODevice::ReadOnly))
     {
diff --git a/src/common/network/NetworkTask.cpp b/src/common/network/NetworkTask.cpp
index edd62a84b..7590c8a46 100644
--- a/src/common/network/NetworkTask.cpp
+++ b/src/common/network/NetworkTask.cpp
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 #include "common/network/NetworkTask.hpp"
 
+#include "Application.hpp"
 #include "common/network/NetworkManager.hpp"
 #include "common/network/NetworkPrivate.hpp"
 #include "common/network/NetworkResult.hpp"
@@ -117,7 +118,8 @@ void NetworkTask::logReply()
 void NetworkTask::writeToCache(const QByteArray &bytes) const
 {
     std::ignore = QtConcurrent::run([data = this->data_, bytes] {
-        QFile cachedFile(getPaths()->cacheDirectory() + "/" + data->getHash());
+        QFile cachedFile(getIApp()->getPaths().cacheDirectory() + "/" +
+                         data->getHash());
 
         if (cachedFile.open(QIODevice::WriteOnly))
         {
diff --git a/src/controllers/accounts/AccountController.cpp b/src/controllers/accounts/AccountController.cpp
index 8191cea40..d0643cdef 100644
--- a/src/controllers/accounts/AccountController.cpp
+++ b/src/controllers/accounts/AccountController.cpp
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ AccountController::AccountController()
     });
 }
 
-void AccountController::initialize(Settings &settings, Paths &paths)
+void AccountController::initialize(Settings &settings, const Paths &paths)
 {
     this->twitch.load();
 }
diff --git a/src/controllers/accounts/AccountController.hpp b/src/controllers/accounts/AccountController.hpp
index ce63ba1ee..726719f5c 100644
--- a/src/controllers/accounts/AccountController.hpp
+++ b/src/controllers/accounts/AccountController.hpp
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ public:
 
     AccountModel *createModel(QObject *parent);
 
-    void initialize(Settings &settings, Paths &paths) override;
+    void initialize(Settings &settings, const Paths &paths) override;
 
     TwitchAccountManager twitch;
 
diff --git a/src/controllers/commands/CommandController.cpp b/src/controllers/commands/CommandController.cpp
index 9d66afd47..823e8f393 100644
--- a/src/controllers/commands/CommandController.cpp
+++ b/src/controllers/commands/CommandController.cpp
@@ -261,7 +261,7 @@ const std::unordered_map<QString, VariableReplacer> COMMAND_VARS{
 
 namespace chatterino {
 
-void CommandController::initialize(Settings &, Paths &paths)
+void CommandController::initialize(Settings &, const Paths &paths)
 {
     // Update commands map when the vector of commands has been updated
     auto addFirstMatchToMap = [this](auto args) {
diff --git a/src/controllers/commands/CommandController.hpp b/src/controllers/commands/CommandController.hpp
index f5ba40b24..d13197e4f 100644
--- a/src/controllers/commands/CommandController.hpp
+++ b/src/controllers/commands/CommandController.hpp
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ public:
                         bool dryRun);
     QStringList getDefaultChatterinoCommandList();
 
-    void initialize(Settings &, Paths &paths) override;
+    void initialize(Settings &, const Paths &paths) override;
     void save() override;
 
     CommandModel *createModel(QObject *parent);
diff --git a/src/controllers/highlights/HighlightController.cpp b/src/controllers/highlights/HighlightController.cpp
index 9dee55047..53062d08c 100644
--- a/src/controllers/highlights/HighlightController.cpp
+++ b/src/controllers/highlights/HighlightController.cpp
@@ -440,7 +440,8 @@ std::ostream &operator<<(std::ostream &os, const HighlightResult &result)
     return os;
 }
 
-void HighlightController::initialize(Settings &settings, Paths & /*paths*/)
+void HighlightController::initialize(Settings &settings,
+                                     const Paths & /*paths*/)
 {
     this->rebuildListener_.addSetting(settings.enableSelfHighlight);
     this->rebuildListener_.addSetting(settings.enableSelfHighlightSound);
diff --git a/src/controllers/highlights/HighlightController.hpp b/src/controllers/highlights/HighlightController.hpp
index 9f3951ba0..e05986a0e 100644
--- a/src/controllers/highlights/HighlightController.hpp
+++ b/src/controllers/highlights/HighlightController.hpp
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ struct HighlightCheck {
 class HighlightController final : public Singleton
 {
 public:
-    void initialize(Settings &settings, Paths &paths) override;
+    void initialize(Settings &settings, const Paths &paths) override;
 
     /**
      * @brief Checks the given message parameters if it matches our internal checks, and returns a result
diff --git a/src/controllers/notifications/NotificationController.cpp b/src/controllers/notifications/NotificationController.cpp
index cc356e650..6ea48d2ce 100644
--- a/src/controllers/notifications/NotificationController.cpp
+++ b/src/controllers/notifications/NotificationController.cpp
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@
 
 namespace chatterino {
 
-void NotificationController::initialize(Settings &settings, Paths &paths)
+void NotificationController::initialize(Settings &settings, const Paths &paths)
 {
     this->initialized_ = true;
     for (const QString &channelName : this->twitchSetting_.getValue())
diff --git a/src/controllers/notifications/NotificationController.hpp b/src/controllers/notifications/NotificationController.hpp
index 6d3dab7f9..ad70e029f 100644
--- a/src/controllers/notifications/NotificationController.hpp
+++ b/src/controllers/notifications/NotificationController.hpp
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ enum class Platform : uint8_t {
 class NotificationController final : public Singleton, private QObject
 {
 public:
-    void initialize(Settings &settings, Paths &paths) override;
+    void initialize(Settings &settings, const Paths &paths) override;
 
     bool isChannelNotified(const QString &channelName, Platform p);
     void updateChannelNotification(const QString &channelName, Platform p);
diff --git a/src/controllers/plugins/PluginController.cpp b/src/controllers/plugins/PluginController.cpp
index 8566c9e24..eccca7877 100644
--- a/src/controllers/plugins/PluginController.cpp
+++ b/src/controllers/plugins/PluginController.cpp
@@ -23,7 +23,12 @@
 
 namespace chatterino {
 
-void PluginController::initialize(Settings &settings, Paths &paths)
+PluginController::PluginController(const Paths &paths_)
+    : paths(paths_)
+{
+}
+
+void PluginController::initialize(Settings &settings, const Paths &paths)
 {
     (void)paths;
 
@@ -44,7 +49,7 @@ void PluginController::initialize(Settings &settings, Paths &paths)
 void PluginController::loadPlugins()
 {
     this->plugins_.clear();
-    auto dir = QDir(getPaths()->pluginsDirectory);
+    auto dir = QDir(this->paths.pluginsDirectory);
     qCDebug(chatterinoLua) << "Loading plugins in" << dir.path();
     for (const auto &info :
          dir.entryInfoList(QDir::Dirs | QDir::NoDotAndDotDot))
diff --git a/src/controllers/plugins/PluginController.hpp b/src/controllers/plugins/PluginController.hpp
index 8dc698b40..099c40a70 100644
--- a/src/controllers/plugins/PluginController.hpp
+++ b/src/controllers/plugins/PluginController.hpp
@@ -26,8 +26,12 @@ class Paths;
 
 class PluginController : public Singleton
 {
+    const Paths &paths;
+
 public:
-    void initialize(Settings &settings, Paths &paths) override;
+    explicit PluginController(const Paths &paths_);
+
+    void initialize(Settings &settings, const Paths &paths) override;
 
     QString tryExecPluginCommand(const QString &commandName,
                                  const CommandContext &ctx);
diff --git a/src/controllers/sound/MiniaudioBackend.cpp b/src/controllers/sound/MiniaudioBackend.cpp
index d9afa6c6c..f84ee8991 100644
--- a/src/controllers/sound/MiniaudioBackend.cpp
+++ b/src/controllers/sound/MiniaudioBackend.cpp
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ namespace chatterino {
 // NUM_SOUNDS specifies how many simultaneous default ping sounds & decoders to create
 constexpr const auto NUM_SOUNDS = 4;
 
-void MiniaudioBackend::initialize(Settings &settings, Paths &paths)
+void MiniaudioBackend::initialize(Settings &settings, const Paths &paths)
 {
     (void)(settings);
     (void)(paths);
diff --git a/src/controllers/sound/MiniaudioBackend.hpp b/src/controllers/sound/MiniaudioBackend.hpp
index ef730a06f..18ef9ed00 100644
--- a/src/controllers/sound/MiniaudioBackend.hpp
+++ b/src/controllers/sound/MiniaudioBackend.hpp
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ namespace chatterino {
  **/
 class MiniaudioBackend : public ISoundController
 {
-    void initialize(Settings &settings, Paths &paths) override;
+    void initialize(Settings &settings, const Paths &paths) override;
 
 public:
     MiniaudioBackend();
diff --git a/src/controllers/userdata/UserDataController.cpp b/src/controllers/userdata/UserDataController.cpp
index 63cf7f1d9..3f8029cbe 100644
--- a/src/controllers/userdata/UserDataController.cpp
+++ b/src/controllers/userdata/UserDataController.cpp
@@ -8,13 +8,12 @@ namespace {
 
 using namespace chatterino;
 
-std::shared_ptr<pajlada::Settings::SettingManager> initSettingsInstance()
+std::shared_ptr<pajlada::Settings::SettingManager> initSettingsInstance(
+    const Paths &paths)
 {
     auto sm = std::make_shared<pajlada::Settings::SettingManager>();
 
-    auto *paths = getPaths();
-
-    auto path = combinePath(paths->settingsDirectory, "user-data.json");
+    auto path = combinePath(paths.settingsDirectory, "user-data.json");
 
     sm->setPath(path.toUtf8().toStdString());
 
@@ -30,8 +29,8 @@ std::shared_ptr<pajlada::Settings::SettingManager> initSettingsInstance()
 
 namespace chatterino {
 
-UserDataController::UserDataController()
-    : sm(initSettingsInstance())
+UserDataController::UserDataController(const Paths &paths)
+    : sm(initSettingsInstance(paths))
     , setting("/users", this->sm)
 {
     this->sm->load();
diff --git a/src/controllers/userdata/UserDataController.hpp b/src/controllers/userdata/UserDataController.hpp
index fba501f4c..3be1f260a 100644
--- a/src/controllers/userdata/UserDataController.hpp
+++ b/src/controllers/userdata/UserDataController.hpp
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@
 
 namespace chatterino {
 
+class Paths;
+
 class IUserDataController
 {
 public:
@@ -31,7 +33,7 @@ public:
 class UserDataController : public IUserDataController, public Singleton
 {
 public:
-    UserDataController();
+    explicit UserDataController(const Paths &paths);
 
     // Get extra data about a user
     // If the user does not have any extra data, return none
diff --git a/src/main.cpp b/src/main.cpp
index bbd955814..871767918 100644
--- a/src/main.cpp
+++ b/src/main.cpp
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
 #include "singletons/CrashHandler.hpp"
 #include "singletons/Paths.hpp"
 #include "singletons/Settings.hpp"
+#include "singletons/Updates.hpp"
 #include "util/AttachToConsole.hpp"
 
 #include <QApplication>
@@ -35,11 +36,11 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
     QCoreApplication::setApplicationVersion(CHATTERINO_VERSION);
     QCoreApplication::setOrganizationDomain("chatterino.com");
 
-    Paths *paths{};
+    std::unique_ptr<Paths> paths;
 
     try
     {
-        paths = new Paths;
+        paths = std::make_unique<Paths>();
     }
     catch (std::runtime_error &error)
     {
@@ -62,10 +63,10 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
         return 1;
     }
 
-    const Args args(a);
+    const Args args(a, *paths);
 
 #ifdef CHATTERINO_WITH_CRASHPAD
-    const auto crashpadHandler = installCrashHandler(args);
+    const auto crashpadHandler = installCrashHandler(args, *paths);
 #endif
 
     // run in gui mode or browser extension host mode
@@ -92,6 +93,8 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
             attachToConsole();
         }
 
+        Updates updates(*paths);
+
         NetworkConfigurationProvider::applyFromEnv(Env::get());
 
         IvrApi::initialize();
@@ -99,7 +102,7 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
 
         Settings settings(paths->settingsDirectory);
 
-        runGui(a, *paths, settings, args);
+        runGui(a, *paths, settings, args, updates);
     }
     return 0;
 }
diff --git a/src/providers/chatterino/ChatterinoBadges.cpp b/src/providers/chatterino/ChatterinoBadges.cpp
index 131d3a7f5..5582d925a 100644
--- a/src/providers/chatterino/ChatterinoBadges.cpp
+++ b/src/providers/chatterino/ChatterinoBadges.cpp
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 #include <QUrl>
 
 namespace chatterino {
-void ChatterinoBadges::initialize(Settings &settings, Paths &paths)
+void ChatterinoBadges::initialize(Settings &settings, const Paths &paths)
 {
     this->loadChatterinoBadges();
 }
diff --git a/src/providers/chatterino/ChatterinoBadges.hpp b/src/providers/chatterino/ChatterinoBadges.hpp
index 6d36940c1..0cba176f0 100644
--- a/src/providers/chatterino/ChatterinoBadges.hpp
+++ b/src/providers/chatterino/ChatterinoBadges.hpp
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ using EmotePtr = std::shared_ptr<const Emote>;
 class ChatterinoBadges : public Singleton
 {
 public:
-    void initialize(Settings &settings, Paths &paths) override;
+    void initialize(Settings &settings, const Paths &paths) override;
     ChatterinoBadges();
 
     std::optional<EmotePtr> getBadge(const UserId &id);
diff --git a/src/providers/ffz/FfzBadges.cpp b/src/providers/ffz/FfzBadges.cpp
index d731f2a8c..557481835 100644
--- a/src/providers/ffz/FfzBadges.cpp
+++ b/src/providers/ffz/FfzBadges.cpp
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 
 namespace chatterino {
 
-void FfzBadges::initialize(Settings &settings, Paths &paths)
+void FfzBadges::initialize(Settings &settings, const Paths &paths)
 {
     this->load();
 }
diff --git a/src/providers/ffz/FfzBadges.hpp b/src/providers/ffz/FfzBadges.hpp
index 1bf660200..a2fde9c8a 100644
--- a/src/providers/ffz/FfzBadges.hpp
+++ b/src/providers/ffz/FfzBadges.hpp
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ using EmotePtr = std::shared_ptr<const Emote>;
 class FfzBadges : public Singleton
 {
 public:
-    void initialize(Settings &settings, Paths &paths) override;
+    void initialize(Settings &settings, const Paths &paths) override;
     FfzBadges() = default;
 
     struct Badge {
diff --git a/src/providers/irc/Irc2.cpp b/src/providers/irc/Irc2.cpp
index 25de01ebe..385c76bae 100644
--- a/src/providers/irc/Irc2.cpp
+++ b/src/providers/irc/Irc2.cpp
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 #include "Irc2.hpp"
 
+#include "Application.hpp"
 #include "common/Credentials.hpp"
 #include "common/SignalVectorModel.hpp"
 #include "providers/irc/IrcChannel2.hpp"
@@ -21,7 +22,7 @@ namespace {
 
     QString configPath()
     {
-        return combinePath(getPaths()->settingsDirectory, "irc.json");
+        return combinePath(getIApp()->getPaths().settingsDirectory, "irc.json");
     }
 
     class Model : public SignalVectorModel<IrcServerData>
diff --git a/src/providers/twitch/TwitchIrcServer.cpp b/src/providers/twitch/TwitchIrcServer.cpp
index 6f5bbe095..111660aa2 100644
--- a/src/providers/twitch/TwitchIrcServer.cpp
+++ b/src/providers/twitch/TwitchIrcServer.cpp
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ TwitchIrcServer::TwitchIrcServer()
     //                                                     false);
 }
 
-void TwitchIrcServer::initialize(Settings &settings, Paths &paths)
+void TwitchIrcServer::initialize(Settings &settings, const Paths &paths)
 {
     getApp()->accounts->twitch.currentUserChanged.connect([this]() {
         postToThread([this] {
diff --git a/src/providers/twitch/TwitchIrcServer.hpp b/src/providers/twitch/TwitchIrcServer.hpp
index 8ddb713a4..d00f8e40b 100644
--- a/src/providers/twitch/TwitchIrcServer.hpp
+++ b/src/providers/twitch/TwitchIrcServer.hpp
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ public:
     TwitchIrcServer();
     ~TwitchIrcServer() override = default;
 
-    void initialize(Settings &settings, Paths &paths) override;
+    void initialize(Settings &settings, const Paths &paths) override;
 
     void forEachChannelAndSpecialChannels(std::function<void(ChannelPtr)> func);
 
diff --git a/src/singletons/CrashHandler.cpp b/src/singletons/CrashHandler.cpp
index ea77b09a1..84f19793c 100644
--- a/src/singletons/CrashHandler.cpp
+++ b/src/singletons/CrashHandler.cpp
@@ -128,7 +128,12 @@ namespace chatterino {
 
 using namespace std::string_literals;
 
-void CrashHandler::initialize(Settings & /*settings*/, Paths &paths)
+CrashHandler::CrashHandler(const Paths &paths_)
+    : paths(paths_)
+{
+}
+
+void CrashHandler::initialize(Settings & /*settings*/, const Paths &paths_)
 {
     auto optSettings = readRecoverySettings(paths);
     if (optSettings)
@@ -146,7 +151,7 @@ void CrashHandler::saveShouldRecover(bool value)
 {
     this->shouldRecover_ = value;
 
-    QFile file(QDir(getPaths()->crashdumpDirectory).filePath(RECOVERY_FILE));
+    QFile file(QDir(this->paths.crashdumpDirectory).filePath(RECOVERY_FILE));
     if (!file.open(QFile::WriteOnly | QFile::Truncate))
     {
         qCWarning(chatterinoCrashhandler)
@@ -160,7 +165,8 @@ void CrashHandler::saveShouldRecover(bool value)
 }
 
 #ifdef CHATTERINO_WITH_CRASHPAD
-std::unique_ptr<crashpad::CrashpadClient> installCrashHandler(const Args &args)
+std::unique_ptr<crashpad::CrashpadClient> installCrashHandler(
+    const Args &args, const Paths &paths)
 {
     // Currently, the following directory layout is assumed:
     // [applicationDirPath]
@@ -188,15 +194,14 @@ std::unique_ptr<crashpad::CrashpadClient> installCrashHandler(const Args &args)
     // Argument passed in --database
     // > Crash reports are written to this database, and if uploads are enabled,
     //   uploaded from this database to a crash report collection server.
-    auto databaseDir =
-        base::FilePath(nativeString(getPaths()->crashdumpDirectory));
+    auto databaseDir = base::FilePath(nativeString(paths.crashdumpDirectory));
 
     auto client = std::make_unique<crashpad::CrashpadClient>();
 
     std::map<std::string, std::string> annotations{
         {
             "canRestart"s,
-            canRestart(*getPaths(), args) ? "true"s : "false"s,
+            canRestart(paths, args) ? "true"s : "false"s,
         },
         {
             "exePath"s,
diff --git a/src/singletons/CrashHandler.hpp b/src/singletons/CrashHandler.hpp
index 058e46aed..9fbdf358c 100644
--- a/src/singletons/CrashHandler.hpp
+++ b/src/singletons/CrashHandler.hpp
@@ -13,10 +13,15 @@
 namespace chatterino {
 
 class Args;
+class Paths;
 
 class CrashHandler : public Singleton
 {
+    const Paths &paths;
+
 public:
+    explicit CrashHandler(const Paths &paths_);
+
     bool shouldRecover() const
     {
         return this->shouldRecover_;
@@ -25,14 +30,15 @@ public:
     /// Sets and saves whether Chatterino should restart on a crash
     void saveShouldRecover(bool value);
 
-    void initialize(Settings &settings, Paths &paths) override;
+    void initialize(Settings &settings, const Paths &paths) override;
 
 private:
     bool shouldRecover_ = false;
 };
 
 #ifdef CHATTERINO_WITH_CRASHPAD
-std::unique_ptr<crashpad::CrashpadClient> installCrashHandler(const Args &args);
+std::unique_ptr<crashpad::CrashpadClient> installCrashHandler(
+    const Args &args, const Paths &paths);
 #endif
 
 }  // namespace chatterino
diff --git a/src/singletons/Emotes.cpp b/src/singletons/Emotes.cpp
index 5b30faad3..5051dab69 100644
--- a/src/singletons/Emotes.cpp
+++ b/src/singletons/Emotes.cpp
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ Emotes::Emotes()
 {
 }
 
-void Emotes::initialize(Settings &settings, Paths &paths)
+void Emotes::initialize(Settings &settings, const Paths &paths)
 {
     this->emojis.load();
 
diff --git a/src/singletons/Emotes.hpp b/src/singletons/Emotes.hpp
index 26286f34d..3ffeb6d7a 100644
--- a/src/singletons/Emotes.hpp
+++ b/src/singletons/Emotes.hpp
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ class Emotes final : public IEmotes, public Singleton
 public:
     Emotes();
 
-    void initialize(Settings &settings, Paths &paths) override;
+    void initialize(Settings &settings, const Paths &paths) override;
 
     bool isIgnoredEmote(const QString &emote);
 
diff --git a/src/singletons/Fonts.cpp b/src/singletons/Fonts.cpp
index 79f1319f7..9705cbace 100644
--- a/src/singletons/Fonts.cpp
+++ b/src/singletons/Fonts.cpp
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ Fonts::Fonts()
     this->fontsByType_.resize(size_t(FontStyle::EndType));
 }
 
-void Fonts::initialize(Settings &, Paths &)
+void Fonts::initialize(Settings &, const Paths &)
 {
     this->chatFontFamily.connect(
         [this]() {
diff --git a/src/singletons/Fonts.hpp b/src/singletons/Fonts.hpp
index 93529eb41..1f0704d99 100644
--- a/src/singletons/Fonts.hpp
+++ b/src/singletons/Fonts.hpp
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ class Fonts final : public Singleton
 public:
     Fonts();
 
-    void initialize(Settings &settings, Paths &paths) override;
+    void initialize(Settings &settings, const Paths &paths) override;
 
     // font data gets set in createFontData(...)
 
diff --git a/src/singletons/ImageUploader.cpp b/src/singletons/ImageUploader.cpp
index 2fe68481d..d528c9929 100644
--- a/src/singletons/ImageUploader.cpp
+++ b/src/singletons/ImageUploader.cpp
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 #include "singletons/ImageUploader.hpp"
 
+#include "Application.hpp"
 #include "common/Env.hpp"
 #include "common/network/NetworkRequest.hpp"
 #include "common/network/NetworkResult.hpp"
@@ -50,7 +51,7 @@ void ImageUploader::logToFile(const QString &originalFilePath,
 {
     const QString logFileName =
         combinePath((getSettings()->logPath.getValue().isEmpty()
-                         ? getPaths()->messageLogDirectory
+                         ? getIApp()->getPaths().messageLogDirectory
                          : getSettings()->logPath),
                     "ImageUploader.json");
 
diff --git a/src/singletons/NativeMessaging.cpp b/src/singletons/NativeMessaging.cpp
index d2fb7b29d..f8381783a 100644
--- a/src/singletons/NativeMessaging.cpp
+++ b/src/singletons/NativeMessaging.cpp
@@ -34,11 +34,11 @@ namespace chatterino {
 
 using namespace literals;
 
-void registerNmManifest(Paths &paths, const QString &manifestFilename,
+void registerNmManifest(const Paths &paths, const QString &manifestFilename,
                         const QString &registryKeyName,
                         const QJsonDocument &document);
 
-void registerNmHost(Paths &paths)
+void registerNmHost(const Paths &paths)
 {
     if (paths.isPortable())
     {
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ void registerNmHost(Paths &paths)
     }
 }
 
-void registerNmManifest(Paths &paths, const QString &manifestFilename,
+void registerNmManifest(const Paths &paths, const QString &manifestFilename,
                         const QString &registryKeyName,
                         const QJsonDocument &document)
 {
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ void registerNmManifest(Paths &paths, const QString &manifestFilename,
 #endif
 }
 
-std::string &getNmQueueName(Paths &paths)
+std::string &getNmQueueName(const Paths &paths)
 {
     static std::string name =
         "chatterino_gui" + paths.applicationFilePathHash.toStdString();
diff --git a/src/singletons/NativeMessaging.hpp b/src/singletons/NativeMessaging.hpp
index 1186315da..5d0633358 100644
--- a/src/singletons/NativeMessaging.hpp
+++ b/src/singletons/NativeMessaging.hpp
@@ -16,8 +16,8 @@ class Channel;
 
 using ChannelPtr = std::shared_ptr<Channel>;
 
-void registerNmHost(Paths &paths);
-std::string &getNmQueueName(Paths &paths);
+void registerNmHost(const Paths &paths);
+std::string &getNmQueueName(const Paths &paths);
 
 Atomic<std::optional<QString>> &nmIpcError();
 
diff --git a/src/singletons/Paths.cpp b/src/singletons/Paths.cpp
index 9d32acfdc..7b7bebdbb 100644
--- a/src/singletons/Paths.cpp
+++ b/src/singletons/Paths.cpp
@@ -15,12 +15,8 @@ using namespace std::literals;
 
 namespace chatterino {
 
-Paths *Paths::instance = nullptr;
-
 Paths::Paths()
 {
-    this->instance = this;
-
     this->initAppFilePathHash();
 
     this->initCheckPortable();
@@ -33,12 +29,12 @@ bool Paths::createFolder(const QString &folderPath)
     return QDir().mkpath(folderPath);
 }
 
-bool Paths::isPortable()
+bool Paths::isPortable() const
 {
     return Modes::instance().isPortable;
 }
 
-QString Paths::cacheDirectory()
+QString Paths::cacheDirectory() const
 {
     static const auto pathSetting = [] {
         QStringSetting cachePathSetting("/cache/path");
@@ -146,9 +142,4 @@ void Paths::initSubDirectories()
     this->crashdumpDirectory = makePath("Crashes");
 }
 
-Paths *getPaths()
-{
-    return Paths::instance;
-}
-
 }  // namespace chatterino
diff --git a/src/singletons/Paths.hpp b/src/singletons/Paths.hpp
index 1974a79d6..bfabd1b1e 100644
--- a/src/singletons/Paths.hpp
+++ b/src/singletons/Paths.hpp
@@ -9,8 +9,6 @@ namespace chatterino {
 class Paths
 {
 public:
-    static Paths *instance;
-
     Paths();
 
     // Root directory for the configuration files. %APPDATA%/chatterino or
@@ -42,9 +40,10 @@ public:
     QString themesDirectory;
 
     bool createFolder(const QString &folderPath);
-    bool isPortable();
+    [[deprecated("use Modes::instance().portable instead")]] bool isPortable()
+        const;
 
-    QString cacheDirectory();
+    QString cacheDirectory() const;
 
 private:
     void initAppFilePathHash();
@@ -58,6 +57,4 @@ private:
     QString cacheDirectory_;
 };
 
-Paths *getPaths();
-
 }  // namespace chatterino
diff --git a/src/singletons/Theme.cpp b/src/singletons/Theme.cpp
index 45c4ff7f0..ba7cbf63e 100644
--- a/src/singletons/Theme.cpp
+++ b/src/singletons/Theme.cpp
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ bool Theme::isLightTheme() const
     return this->isLight_;
 }
 
-void Theme::initialize(Settings &settings, Paths &paths)
+void Theme::initialize(Settings &settings, const Paths &paths)
 {
     this->themeName.connect(
         [this](auto themeName) {
@@ -228,7 +228,7 @@ void Theme::initialize(Settings &settings, Paths &paths)
         },
         false);
 
-    this->loadAvailableThemes();
+    this->loadAvailableThemes(paths);
 
     this->update();
 }
@@ -328,11 +328,11 @@ std::vector<std::pair<QString, QVariant>> Theme::availableThemes() const
     return packagedThemes;
 }
 
-void Theme::loadAvailableThemes()
+void Theme::loadAvailableThemes(const Paths &paths)
 {
     this->availableThemes_ = Theme::builtInThemes;
 
-    auto dir = QDir(getPaths()->themesDirectory);
+    auto dir = QDir(paths.themesDirectory);
     for (const auto &info :
          dir.entryInfoList(QDir::Files | QDir::NoDotAndDotDot, QDir::Name))
     {
diff --git a/src/singletons/Theme.hpp b/src/singletons/Theme.hpp
index d2165543c..034a01b64 100644
--- a/src/singletons/Theme.hpp
+++ b/src/singletons/Theme.hpp
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ public:
 
     static const int AUTO_RELOAD_INTERVAL_MS = 500;
 
-    void initialize(Settings &settings, Paths &paths) final;
+    void initialize(Settings &settings, const Paths &paths) final;
 
     bool isLightTheme() const;
 
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ private:
      *
      * NOTE: This is currently not built to be reloadable
      **/
-    void loadAvailableThemes();
+    void loadAvailableThemes(const Paths &paths);
 
     std::optional<ThemeDescriptor> findThemeByKey(const QString &key);
 
diff --git a/src/singletons/Toasts.cpp b/src/singletons/Toasts.cpp
index e9b4c2a61..aab01b51d 100644
--- a/src/singletons/Toasts.cpp
+++ b/src/singletons/Toasts.cpp
@@ -33,7 +33,8 @@ using namespace literals;
 QString avatarFilePath(const QString &channelName)
 {
     // TODO: cleanup channel (to be used as a file) and use combinePath
-    return getPaths()->twitchProfileAvatars % '/' % channelName % u".png";
+    return getIApp()->getPaths().twitchProfileAvatars % '/' % channelName %
+           u".png";
 }
 
 bool hasAvatarForChannel(const QString &channelName)
diff --git a/src/singletons/Updates.cpp b/src/singletons/Updates.cpp
index 55e43ec01..0a758e12d 100644
--- a/src/singletons/Updates.cpp
+++ b/src/singletons/Updates.cpp
@@ -26,21 +26,14 @@ namespace {
 
 }  // namespace
 
-Updates::Updates()
-    : currentVersion_(CHATTERINO_VERSION)
+Updates::Updates(const Paths &paths_)
+    : paths(paths_)
+    , currentVersion_(CHATTERINO_VERSION)
     , updateGuideLink_("https://chatterino.com")
 {
     qCDebug(chatterinoUpdate) << "init UpdateManager";
 }
 
-Updates &Updates::instance()
-{
-    // fourtf: don't add this class to the application class
-    static Updates instance;
-
-    return instance;
-}
-
 /// Checks if the online version is newer or older than the current version.
 bool Updates::isDowngradeOf(const QString &online, const QString &current)
 {
@@ -97,7 +90,7 @@ void Updates::installUpdates()
     box->exec();
     QDesktopServices::openUrl(this->updateGuideLink_);
 #elif defined Q_OS_WIN
-    if (getPaths()->isPortable())
+    if (this->paths.isPortable())
     {
         QMessageBox *box =
             new QMessageBox(QMessageBox::Information, "Chatterino Update",
@@ -136,7 +129,7 @@ void Updates::installUpdates()
 
                 QByteArray object = result.getData();
                 auto filename =
-                    combinePath(getPaths()->miscDirectory, "update.zip");
+                    combinePath(this->paths.miscDirectory, "update.zip");
 
                 QFile file(filename);
                 file.open(QIODevice::Truncate | QIODevice::WriteOnly);
@@ -196,7 +189,7 @@ void Updates::installUpdates()
 
                 QByteArray object = result.getData();
                 auto filePath =
-                    combinePath(getPaths()->miscDirectory, "Update.exe");
+                    combinePath(this->paths.miscDirectory, "Update.exe");
 
                 QFile file(filePath);
                 file.open(QIODevice::Truncate | QIODevice::WriteOnly);
diff --git a/src/singletons/Updates.hpp b/src/singletons/Updates.hpp
index e08b313ba..8a063f345 100644
--- a/src/singletons/Updates.hpp
+++ b/src/singletons/Updates.hpp
@@ -5,11 +5,19 @@
 
 namespace chatterino {
 
+class Paths;
+
+/**
+ * To check for updates, use the `checkForUpdates` method.
+ * The class by itself does not start any automatic updates.
+ */
 class Updates
 {
-    Updates();
+    const Paths &paths;
 
 public:
+    explicit Updates(const Paths &paths_);
+
     enum Status {
         None,
         Searching,
@@ -21,9 +29,6 @@ public:
         WriteFileFailed,
     };
 
-    // fourtf: don't add this class to the application class
-    static Updates &instance();
-
     static bool isDowngradeOf(const QString &online, const QString &current);
 
     void checkForUpdates();
diff --git a/src/singletons/WindowManager.cpp b/src/singletons/WindowManager.cpp
index db51c69ed..67aad8b72 100644
--- a/src/singletons/WindowManager.cpp
+++ b/src/singletons/WindowManager.cpp
@@ -91,8 +91,8 @@ void WindowManager::showAccountSelectPopup(QPoint point)
     w->setFocus();
 }
 
-WindowManager::WindowManager()
-    : windowLayoutFilePath(combinePath(getPaths()->settingsDirectory,
+WindowManager::WindowManager(const Paths &paths)
+    : windowLayoutFilePath(combinePath(paths.settingsDirectory,
                                        WindowManager::WINDOW_LAYOUT_FILENAME))
 {
     qCDebug(chatterinoWindowmanager) << "init WindowManager";
@@ -338,7 +338,7 @@ void WindowManager::setEmotePopupPos(QPoint pos)
     this->emotePopupPos_ = pos;
 }
 
-void WindowManager::initialize(Settings &settings, Paths &paths)
+void WindowManager::initialize(Settings &settings, const Paths &paths)
 {
     (void)paths;
     assertInGuiThread();
diff --git a/src/singletons/WindowManager.hpp b/src/singletons/WindowManager.hpp
index 4e3ed7d37..8651fae68 100644
--- a/src/singletons/WindowManager.hpp
+++ b/src/singletons/WindowManager.hpp
@@ -37,9 +37,14 @@ class WindowManager final : public Singleton
 public:
     static const QString WINDOW_LAYOUT_FILENAME;
 
-    WindowManager();
+    explicit WindowManager(const Paths &paths);
     ~WindowManager() override;
 
+    WindowManager(const WindowManager &) = delete;
+    WindowManager(WindowManager &&) = delete;
+    WindowManager &operator=(const WindowManager &) = delete;
+    WindowManager &operator=(WindowManager &&) = delete;
+
     static void encodeTab(SplitContainer *tab, bool isSelected,
                           QJsonObject &obj);
     static void encodeChannel(IndirectChannel channel, QJsonObject &obj);
@@ -93,7 +98,7 @@ public:
     QPoint emotePopupPos();
     void setEmotePopupPos(QPoint pos);
 
-    void initialize(Settings &settings, Paths &paths) override;
+    void initialize(Settings &settings, const Paths &paths) override;
     void save() override;
     void closeAll();
 
diff --git a/src/singletons/helper/LoggingChannel.cpp b/src/singletons/helper/LoggingChannel.cpp
index c6b36d11e..f3a6fbb79 100644
--- a/src/singletons/helper/LoggingChannel.cpp
+++ b/src/singletons/helper/LoggingChannel.cpp
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 #include "LoggingChannel.hpp"
 
+#include "Application.hpp"
 #include "common/QLogging.hpp"
 #include "messages/Message.hpp"
 #include "messages/MessageThread.hpp"
@@ -44,8 +45,9 @@ LoggingChannel::LoggingChannel(const QString &_channelName,
                          QDir::separator() + this->subDirectory;
 
     getSettings()->logPath.connect([this](const QString &logPath, auto) {
-        this->baseDirectory =
-            logPath.isEmpty() ? getPaths()->messageLogDirectory : logPath;
+        this->baseDirectory = logPath.isEmpty()
+                                  ? getIApp()->getPaths().messageLogDirectory
+                                  : logPath;
         this->openLogFile();
     });
 }
diff --git a/src/util/InitUpdateButton.cpp b/src/util/InitUpdateButton.cpp
index ae46bdd34..349fb78bb 100644
--- a/src/util/InitUpdateButton.cpp
+++ b/src/util/InitUpdateButton.cpp
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 #include "util/InitUpdateButton.hpp"
 
+#include "Application.hpp"
 #include "widgets/dialogs/UpdateDialog.hpp"
 #include "widgets/helper/Button.hpp"
 
@@ -40,7 +41,7 @@ void initUpdateButton(Button &button,
                 }
                 break;
                 case UpdateDialog::Install: {
-                    Updates::instance().installUpdates();
+                    getIApp()->getUpdates().installUpdates();
                 }
                 break;
             }
@@ -52,17 +53,17 @@ void initUpdateButton(Button &button,
 
     // update image when state changes
     auto updateChange = [&button](auto) {
-        button.setVisible(Updates::instance().shouldShowUpdateButton());
+        button.setVisible(getIApp()->getUpdates().shouldShowUpdateButton());
 
-        const auto *imageUrl = Updates::instance().isError()
+        const auto *imageUrl = getIApp()->getUpdates().isError()
                                    ? ":/buttons/updateError.png"
                                    : ":/buttons/update.png";
         button.setPixmap(QPixmap(imageUrl));
     };
 
-    updateChange(Updates::instance().getStatus());
+    updateChange(getIApp()->getUpdates().getStatus());
 
-    signalHolder.managedConnect(Updates::instance().statusUpdated,
+    signalHolder.managedConnect(getIApp()->getUpdates().statusUpdated,
                                 [updateChange](auto status) {
                                     updateChange(status);
                                 });
diff --git a/src/widgets/dialogs/LastRunCrashDialog.cpp b/src/widgets/dialogs/LastRunCrashDialog.cpp
index 6de4daba9..4b12543a3 100644
--- a/src/widgets/dialogs/LastRunCrashDialog.cpp
+++ b/src/widgets/dialogs/LastRunCrashDialog.cpp
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ namespace chatterino {
 
 using namespace literals;
 
-LastRunCrashDialog::LastRunCrashDialog(const Args &args)
+LastRunCrashDialog::LastRunCrashDialog(const Args &args, const Paths &paths)
 {
     this->setWindowFlag(Qt::WindowContextHelpButtonHint, false);
     this->setWindowTitle(u"Chatterino - " % randomMessage());
@@ -56,8 +56,7 @@ LastRunCrashDialog::LastRunCrashDialog(const Args &args)
         "<i>You can disable automatic restarts in the settings.</i><br><br>";
 
 #ifdef CHATTERINO_WITH_CRASHPAD
-    auto reportsDir =
-        QDir(getPaths()->crashdumpDirectory).filePath(u"reports"_s);
+    auto reportsDir = QDir(paths.crashdumpDirectory).filePath(u"reports"_s);
     text += u"A <b>crash report</b> has been saved to "
             "<a href=\"file:///" %
             reportsDir % u"\">" % reportsDir % u"</a>.<br>";
diff --git a/src/widgets/dialogs/LastRunCrashDialog.hpp b/src/widgets/dialogs/LastRunCrashDialog.hpp
index 1f31c51f7..d8175758c 100644
--- a/src/widgets/dialogs/LastRunCrashDialog.hpp
+++ b/src/widgets/dialogs/LastRunCrashDialog.hpp
@@ -5,11 +5,12 @@
 namespace chatterino {
 
 class Args;
+class Paths;
 
 class LastRunCrashDialog : public QDialog
 {
 public:
-    explicit LastRunCrashDialog(const Args &args);
+    explicit LastRunCrashDialog(const Args &args, const Paths &paths);
 };
 
 }  // namespace chatterino
diff --git a/src/widgets/dialogs/UpdateDialog.cpp b/src/widgets/dialogs/UpdateDialog.cpp
index d76e9f7f0..d9c6869f6 100644
--- a/src/widgets/dialogs/UpdateDialog.cpp
+++ b/src/widgets/dialogs/UpdateDialog.cpp
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
-#include "UpdateDialog.hpp"
+#include "widgets/dialogs/UpdateDialog.hpp"
 
+#include "Application.hpp"
 #include "singletons/Updates.hpp"
 #include "util/LayoutCreator.hpp"
 #include "widgets/Label.hpp"
@@ -26,7 +27,7 @@ UpdateDialog::UpdateDialog()
     auto *dismiss = buttons->addButton("Dismiss", QDialogButtonBox::RejectRole);
 
     QObject::connect(install, &QPushButton::clicked, this, [this] {
-        Updates::instance().installUpdates();
+        getIApp()->getUpdates().installUpdates();
         this->close();
     });
     QObject::connect(dismiss, &QPushButton::clicked, this, [this] {
@@ -34,8 +35,8 @@ UpdateDialog::UpdateDialog()
         this->close();
     });
 
-    this->updateStatusChanged(Updates::instance().getStatus());
-    this->connections_.managedConnect(Updates::instance().statusUpdated,
+    this->updateStatusChanged(getIApp()->getUpdates().getStatus());
+    this->connections_.managedConnect(getIApp()->getUpdates().statusUpdated,
                                       [this](auto status) {
                                           this->updateStatusChanged(status);
                                       });
@@ -52,17 +53,17 @@ void UpdateDialog::updateStatusChanged(Updates::Status status)
     {
         case Updates::UpdateAvailable: {
             this->ui_.label->setText((
-                Updates::instance().isDowngrade()
+                getIApp()->getUpdates().isDowngrade()
                     ? QString(
                           "The version online (%1) seems to be\nlower than the "
                           "current (%2).\nEither a version was reverted or "
                           "you are\nrunning a newer build.\n\nDo you want to "
                           "download and install it?")
-                          .arg(Updates::instance().getOnlineVersion(),
-                               Updates::instance().getCurrentVersion())
+                          .arg(getIApp()->getUpdates().getOnlineVersion(),
+                               getIApp()->getUpdates().getCurrentVersion())
                     : QString("An update (%1) is available.\n\nDo you want to "
                               "download and install it?")
-                          .arg(Updates::instance().getOnlineVersion())));
+                          .arg(getIApp()->getUpdates().getOnlineVersion())));
             this->updateGeometry();
         }
         break;
diff --git a/src/widgets/settingspages/GeneralPage.cpp b/src/widgets/settingspages/GeneralPage.cpp
index 3c1231afc..04bb6fad0 100644
--- a/src/widgets/settingspages/GeneralPage.cpp
+++ b/src/widgets/settingspages/GeneralPage.cpp
@@ -791,9 +791,10 @@ void GeneralPage::initLayout(GeneralPageView &layout)
                           "store in this directory.");
     layout.addButton("Open AppData directory", [] {
 #ifdef Q_OS_DARWIN
-        QDesktopServices::openUrl("file://" + getPaths()->rootAppDataDirectory);
+        QDesktopServices::openUrl("file://" +
+                                  getIApp()->getPaths().rootAppDataDirectory);
 #else
-        QDesktopServices::openUrl(getPaths()->rootAppDataDirectory);
+        QDesktopServices::openUrl(getIApp()->getPaths().rootAppDataDirectory);
 #endif
     });
 
@@ -805,7 +806,7 @@ void GeneralPage::initLayout(GeneralPageView &layout)
     auto *cachePathLabel = layout.addDescription("placeholder :D");
     getSettings()->cachePath.connect([cachePathLabel](const auto &,
                                                       auto) mutable {
-        QString newPath = getPaths()->cacheDirectory();
+        QString newPath = getIApp()->getPaths().cacheDirectory();
 
         QString pathShortened = "Cache saved at <a href=\"file:///" + newPath +
                                 "\"><span style=\"color: white;\">" +
@@ -833,9 +834,9 @@ void GeneralPage::initLayout(GeneralPageView &layout)
 
             if (reply == QMessageBox::Yes)
             {
-                auto cacheDir = QDir(getPaths()->cacheDirectory());
+                auto cacheDir = QDir(getIApp()->getPaths().cacheDirectory());
                 cacheDir.removeRecursively();
-                cacheDir.mkdir(getPaths()->cacheDirectory());
+                cacheDir.mkdir(getIApp()->getPaths().cacheDirectory());
             }
         }));
         box->addStretch(1);
@@ -947,7 +948,7 @@ void GeneralPage::initLayout(GeneralPageView &layout)
         "When possible, restart Chatterino if the program crashes");
 
 #if defined(Q_OS_LINUX) && !defined(NO_QTKEYCHAIN)
-    if (!getPaths()->isPortable())
+    if (!getIApp()->getPaths().isPortable())
     {
         layout.addCheckbox(
             "Use libsecret/KWallet/Gnome keychain to secure passwords",
@@ -1232,7 +1233,7 @@ void GeneralPage::initExtra()
     {
         getSettings()->cachePath.connect(
             [cachePath = this->cachePath_](const auto &, auto) mutable {
-                QString newPath = getPaths()->cacheDirectory();
+                QString newPath = getIApp()->getPaths().cacheDirectory();
 
                 QString pathShortened = "Current location: <a href=\"file:///" +
                                         newPath + "\">" +
diff --git a/src/widgets/settingspages/ModerationPage.cpp b/src/widgets/settingspages/ModerationPage.cpp
index 7299dca14..fce69eff0 100644
--- a/src/widgets/settingspages/ModerationPage.cpp
+++ b/src/widgets/settingspages/ModerationPage.cpp
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ QString formatSize(qint64 size)
 QString fetchLogDirectorySize()
 {
     QString logsDirectoryPath = getSettings()->logPath.getValue().isEmpty()
-                                    ? getPaths()->messageLogDirectory
+                                    ? getIApp()->getPaths().messageLogDirectory
                                     : getSettings()->logPath;
 
     auto logsSize = dirSize(logsDirectoryPath);
@@ -82,7 +82,8 @@ ModerationPage::ModerationPage()
         getSettings()->logPath.connect([logsPathLabel](const QString &logPath,
                                                        auto) mutable {
             QString pathOriginal =
-                logPath.isEmpty() ? getPaths()->messageLogDirectory : logPath;
+                logPath.isEmpty() ? getIApp()->getPaths().messageLogDirectory
+                                  : logPath;
 
             QString pathShortened =
                 "Logs are saved at <a href=\"file:///" + pathOriginal +
diff --git a/src/widgets/settingspages/PluginsPage.cpp b/src/widgets/settingspages/PluginsPage.cpp
index 00fe5a791..b26719254 100644
--- a/src/widgets/settingspages/PluginsPage.cpp
+++ b/src/widgets/settingspages/PluginsPage.cpp
@@ -37,11 +37,12 @@ PluginsPage::PluginsPage()
         auto group = layout.emplace<QGroupBox>("General plugin settings");
         this->generalGroup = group.getElement();
         auto groupLayout = group.setLayoutType<QFormLayout>();
-        auto *description = new QLabel(
-            "You can load plugins by putting them into " +
-            formatRichNamedLink("file:///" + getPaths()->pluginsDirectory,
-                                "the Plugins directory") +
-            ". Each one is a new directory.");
+        auto *description =
+            new QLabel("You can load plugins by putting them into " +
+                       formatRichNamedLink(
+                           "file:///" + getIApp()->getPaths().pluginsDirectory,
+                           "the Plugins directory") +
+                       ". Each one is a new directory.");
         description->setOpenExternalLinks(true);
         description->setWordWrap(true);
         description->setStyleSheet("color: #bbb");