diff --git a/dlib/any/any.h b/dlib/any/any.h
index b3c29b700..b5ef1bc8b 100644
--- a/dlib/any/any.h
+++ b/dlib/any/any.h
@@ -4,7 +4,9 @@
 #define DLIB_AnY_H_
 
 #include "any_abstract.h"
-#include "../smart_pointers/scoped_ptr.h"
+#include "../algs.h"
+
+#include <memory>
 #include <typeinfo>
 
 namespace dlib
@@ -136,7 +138,7 @@ namespace dlib
             virtual ~base() {}
 
             virtual void copy_to (
-                scoped_ptr<base>& dest
+                std::unique_ptr<base>& dest
             ) const = 0;
         };
 
@@ -148,14 +150,14 @@ namespace dlib
             derived(const T& val) : item(val) {}
 
             virtual void copy_to (
-                scoped_ptr<base>& dest
+                std::unique_ptr<base>& dest
             ) const
             {
                 dest.reset(new derived<T>(item));
             }
         };
 
-        scoped_ptr<base> data;
+        std::unique_ptr<base> data;
     };
 
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/dlib/any/any_decision_function.h b/dlib/any/any_decision_function.h
index 3db685f63..771e9302b 100644
--- a/dlib/any/any_decision_function.h
+++ b/dlib/any/any_decision_function.h
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ namespace dlib
             virtual ~base() {}
 
             virtual void copy_to (
-                scoped_ptr<base>& dest
+                std::unique_ptr<base>& dest
             ) const = 0;
 
             virtual result_type evaluate (
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ namespace dlib
             derived(const T& val) : item(val) {}
 
             virtual void copy_to (
-                scoped_ptr<base>& dest
+                std::unique_ptr<base>& dest
             ) const
             {
                 dest.reset(new derived<T>(item));
@@ -177,7 +177,7 @@ namespace dlib
             }
         };
 
-        scoped_ptr<base> data;
+        std::unique_ptr<base> data;
     };
 
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/dlib/any/any_function_impl.h b/dlib/any/any_function_impl.h
index fb44f84df..fec66cde7 100644
--- a/dlib/any/any_function_impl.h
+++ b/dlib/any/any_function_impl.h
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ struct Tbase
 {
     virtual ~Tbase() {}
     virtual result_type evaluate () const = 0;
-    virtual void copy_to ( scoped_ptr<Tbase>& dest) const = 0;
+    virtual void copy_to ( std::unique_ptr<Tbase>& dest) const = 0;
 };
 
 template <
@@ -177,7 +177,7 @@ struct Tbase<T (A1)>
 {
     virtual ~Tbase() {}
     virtual T evaluate ( A1) const = 0;
-    virtual void copy_to ( scoped_ptr<Tbase>& dest) const = 0;
+    virtual void copy_to ( std::unique_ptr<Tbase>& dest) const = 0;
 };
 
 template <
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ struct Tbase<T (A1,A2)>
 {
     virtual ~Tbase() {}
     virtual T evaluate (A1,A2) const = 0;
-    virtual void copy_to ( scoped_ptr<Tbase>& dest) const = 0;
+    virtual void copy_to ( std::unique_ptr<Tbase>& dest) const = 0;
 };
 
 template <
@@ -199,7 +199,7 @@ struct Tbase<T (A1,A2,A3)>
 {
     virtual ~Tbase() {}
     virtual T evaluate (A1,A2,A3) const = 0;
-    virtual void copy_to ( scoped_ptr<Tbase>& dest) const = 0;
+    virtual void copy_to ( std::unique_ptr<Tbase>& dest) const = 0;
 };
 
 template <
@@ -211,7 +211,7 @@ struct Tbase<T (A1,A2,A3,A4)>
 {
     virtual ~Tbase() {}
     virtual T evaluate (A1,A2,A3,A4) const = 0;
-    virtual void copy_to ( scoped_ptr<Tbase>& dest) const = 0;
+    virtual void copy_to ( std::unique_ptr<Tbase>& dest) const = 0;
 };
 
 template <
@@ -223,7 +223,7 @@ struct Tbase<T (A1,A2,A3,A4,A5)>
 {
     virtual ~Tbase() {}
     virtual T evaluate (A1,A2,A3,A4,A5) const = 0;
-    virtual void copy_to ( scoped_ptr<Tbase>& dest) const = 0;
+    virtual void copy_to ( std::unique_ptr<Tbase>& dest) const = 0;
 };
 
 template <
@@ -235,7 +235,7 @@ struct Tbase<T (A1,A2,A3,A4,A5,A6)>
 {
     virtual ~Tbase() {}
     virtual T evaluate (A1,A2,A3,A4,A5,A6) const = 0;
-    virtual void copy_to ( scoped_ptr<Tbase>& dest) const = 0;
+    virtual void copy_to ( std::unique_ptr<Tbase>& dest) const = 0;
 };
 
 template <
@@ -248,7 +248,7 @@ struct Tbase<T (A1,A2,A3,A4,A5,A6,A7)>
 {
     virtual ~Tbase() {}
     virtual T evaluate (A1,A2,A3,A4,A5,A6,A7) const = 0;
-    virtual void copy_to ( scoped_ptr<Tbase>& dest) const = 0;
+    virtual void copy_to ( std::unique_ptr<Tbase>& dest) const = 0;
 };
 
 template <
@@ -261,7 +261,7 @@ struct Tbase<T (A1,A2,A3,A4,A5,A6,A7,A8)>
 {
     virtual ~Tbase() {}
     virtual T evaluate (A1,A2,A3,A4,A5,A6,A7,A8) const = 0;
-    virtual void copy_to ( scoped_ptr<Tbase>& dest) const = 0;
+    virtual void copy_to ( std::unique_ptr<Tbase>& dest) const = 0;
 };
 
 template <
@@ -274,7 +274,7 @@ struct Tbase<T (A1,A2,A3,A4,A5,A6,A7,A8,A9)>
 {
     virtual ~Tbase() {}
     virtual T evaluate (A1,A2,A3,A4,A5,A6,A7,A8,A9) const = 0;
-    virtual void copy_to ( scoped_ptr<Tbase>& dest) const = 0;
+    virtual void copy_to ( std::unique_ptr<Tbase>& dest) const = 0;
 };
 
 template <
@@ -288,7 +288,7 @@ struct Tbase<T (A1,A2,A3,A4,A5,A6,A7,A8,A9,A10)>
 {
     virtual ~Tbase() {}
     virtual T evaluate (A1,A2,A3,A4,A5,A6,A7,A8,A9,A10) const = 0;
-    virtual void copy_to ( scoped_ptr<Tbase>& dest) const = 0;
+    virtual void copy_to ( std::unique_ptr<Tbase>& dest) const = 0;
 };
 
 typedef Tbase<function_type> base;
@@ -318,7 +318,7 @@ static typename disable_if<is_function<T>,const T&>::type deref (const U& item)
     typename funct_type<T>::type item;                      \
     derived() {}                                            \
     derived(const T& val) : item(copy(val)) {}              \
-    virtual void copy_to ( scoped_ptr<base>& dest) const    \
+    virtual void copy_to ( std::unique_ptr<base>& dest) const    \
     { dest.reset(new derived(deref<T>(item))); }
 
 template <typename T, typename FT>
@@ -508,7 +508,7 @@ struct derived<T,result_type (A1,A2,A3,A4,A5,A6,A7,A8,A9,A10)> : public base
     !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*/
 };
 
-scoped_ptr<base> data;
+std::unique_ptr<base> data;
 
 #undef DLIB_ANY_FUNCTION_DERIVED_BOILERPLATE
 
diff --git a/dlib/any/any_trainer.h b/dlib/any/any_trainer.h
index 7ca17074e..4df10a140 100644
--- a/dlib/any/any_trainer.h
+++ b/dlib/any/any_trainer.h
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ namespace dlib
             ) const = 0;
 
             virtual void copy_to (
-                scoped_ptr<base>& dest
+                std::unique_ptr<base>& dest
             ) const = 0;
         };
 
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ namespace dlib
             derived(const T& val) : item(val) {}
 
             virtual void copy_to (
-                scoped_ptr<base>& dest
+                std::unique_ptr<base>& dest
             ) const
             {
                 dest.reset(new derived<T>(item));
@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@ namespace dlib
             }
         };
 
-        scoped_ptr<base> data;
+        std::unique_ptr<base> data;
     };
 
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/dlib/bayes_utils/bayes_utils.h b/dlib/bayes_utils/bayes_utils.h
index 4845f1723..33f9d5d9e 100644
--- a/dlib/bayes_utils/bayes_utils.h
+++ b/dlib/bayes_utils/bayes_utils.h
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 
 #include <algorithm>
 #include <ctime>
+#include <memory>
 #include <vector>
 
 #include "../string.h"
@@ -17,7 +18,6 @@
 #include "../set.h"
 #include "../algs.h"
 #include "../noncopyable.h"
-#include "../smart_pointers/scoped_ptr.h"
 #include "../graph.h"
 
 namespace dlib
@@ -1660,7 +1660,7 @@ namespace dlib
 
     private:
 
-        scoped_ptr<bayesian_network_join_tree_helpers::bnjt> impl;
+        std::unique_ptr<bayesian_network_join_tree_helpers::bnjt> impl;
         unsigned long num_nodes;
 
     };
diff --git a/dlib/bridge/bridge.h b/dlib/bridge/bridge.h
index 0204f318f..da4e0bd7e 100644
--- a/dlib/bridge/bridge.h
+++ b/dlib/bridge/bridge.h
@@ -3,17 +3,19 @@
 #ifndef DLIB_BRIDGe_Hh_
 #define DLIB_BRIDGe_Hh_
 
-#include "bridge_abstract.h"
+#include <iostream>
+#include <memory>
 #include <string>
+
+#include "bridge_abstract.h"
 #include "../pipe.h"
 #include "../threads.h"
-#include "../smart_pointers/scoped_ptr.h"
 #include "../serialize.h"
 #include "../sockets.h"
 #include "../sockstreambuf.h"
 #include "../logger.h"
 #include "../algs.h"
-#include <iostream>
+
 
 namespace dlib
 {
@@ -545,8 +547,8 @@ namespace dlib
             signaler s;
             bool receive_thread_active;
             bool transmit_thread_active;
-            scoped_ptr<connection> con;
-            scoped_ptr<listener> list;
+            std::unique_ptr<connection> con;
+            std::unique_ptr<listener> list;
             const unsigned short port;
             const std::string ip;
             transmit_pipe_type* const transmit_pipe;
@@ -656,7 +658,7 @@ namespace dlib
 
     private:
 
-        scoped_ptr<impl_brns::impl_bridge_base> pimpl;
+        std::unique_ptr<impl_brns::impl_bridge_base> pimpl;
     };
 
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
diff --git a/dlib/bsp/bsp.cpp b/dlib/bsp/bsp.cpp
index 383cf1f81..32e23519e 100644
--- a/dlib/bsp/bsp.cpp
+++ b/dlib/bsp/bsp.cpp
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ namespace dlib
             cons.clear();
             for (unsigned long i = 0; i < hosts.size(); ++i)
             {
-                scoped_ptr<bsp_con> con(new bsp_con(hosts[i]));
+                std::unique_ptr<bsp_con> con(new bsp_con(hosts[i]));
                 dlib::serialize(node_id, con->stream); // tell the other end our node_id
                 unsigned long id = i+1;
                 cons.add(id, con);
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ namespace dlib
             {
                 try
                 {
-                    scoped_ptr<bsp_con> con(new bsp_con(hosts[i].addr));
+                    std::unique_ptr<bsp_con> con(new bsp_con(hosts[i].addr));
                     dlib::serialize(node_id, con->stream); // tell the other end our node_id
                     con->stream.flush();
                     unsigned long id = hosts[i].node_id;
@@ -317,7 +317,7 @@ namespace dlib
         _cons.reset();
         while (_cons.move_next())
         {
-            scoped_ptr<thread_function> ptr(new thread_function(&impl2::read_thread,
+            std::unique_ptr<thread_function> ptr(new thread_function(&impl2::read_thread,
                                                                 _cons.element().value().get(),
                                                                 _node_id,
                                                                 _cons.element().key(),
diff --git a/dlib/bsp/bsp.h b/dlib/bsp/bsp.h
index 9e274d2a7..f0732c153 100644
--- a/dlib/bsp/bsp.h
+++ b/dlib/bsp/bsp.h
@@ -4,18 +4,19 @@
 #define DLIB_BsP_Hh_
 
 #include "bsp_abstract.h"
+
+#include <memory>
+#include <queue>
+#include <vector>
+
 #include "../sockets.h"
 #include "../array.h"
-#include "../smart_pointers/scoped_ptr.h"
 #include "../sockstreambuf.h"
 #include "../string.h"
 #include "../serialize.h"
 #include "../map.h"
 #include "../ref.h"
 #include "../vectorstream.h"
-#include <memory>
-#include <queue>
-#include <vector>
 
 namespace dlib
 {
@@ -42,7 +43,7 @@ namespace dlib
             }
 
             bsp_con(
-               scoped_ptr<connection>& conptr 
+               std::unique_ptr<connection>& conptr 
             ) : 
                 buf(conptr),
                 stream(&buf),
@@ -54,13 +55,13 @@ namespace dlib
                 con->disable_nagle();
             }
 
-            scoped_ptr<connection> con;
+            std::unique_ptr<connection> con;
             sockstreambuf buf;
             std::iostream stream;
             bool terminated;
         };
 
-        typedef dlib::map<unsigned long, scoped_ptr<bsp_con> >::kernel_1a_c map_id_to_con;
+        typedef dlib::map<unsigned long, std::unique_ptr<bsp_con> >::kernel_1a_c map_id_to_con;
 
         void connect_all (
             map_id_to_con& cons,
@@ -135,7 +136,7 @@ namespace dlib
         )
         {
             cons.clear();
-            scoped_ptr<listener> list;
+            std::unique_ptr<listener> list;
             const int status = create_listener(list, port);
             if (status == PORTINUSE)
             {
@@ -149,13 +150,13 @@ namespace dlib
 
             port_notify_function(list->get_listening_port());
 
-            scoped_ptr<connection> con;
+            std::unique_ptr<connection> con;
             if (list->accept(con))
             {
                 throw socket_error("Error occurred while accepting new connection");
             }
 
-            scoped_ptr<bsp_con> temp(new bsp_con(con));
+            std::unique_ptr<bsp_con> temp(new bsp_con(con));
 
             unsigned long remote_node_id;
             dlib::deserialize(remote_node_id, temp->stream);
@@ -198,7 +199,7 @@ namespace dlib
             while (cons2.size() > 0)
             {
                 unsigned long id;
-                scoped_ptr<bsp_con> temp;
+                std::unique_ptr<bsp_con> temp;
                 cons2.remove_any(id,temp);
                 cons.add(id,temp);
             }
@@ -534,7 +535,7 @@ namespace dlib
 
         impl1::map_id_to_con& _cons;
         const unsigned long _node_id;
-        array<scoped_ptr<thread_function> > threads;
+        array<std::unique_ptr<thread_function> > threads;
 
     // -----------------------------------
 
diff --git a/dlib/gui_widgets/base_widgets.h b/dlib/gui_widgets/base_widgets.h
index 7d97ccea1..76619338e 100644
--- a/dlib/gui_widgets/base_widgets.h
+++ b/dlib/gui_widgets/base_widgets.h
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 #ifndef DLIB_BASE_WIDGETs_
 #define DLIB_BASE_WIDGETs_
 
+#include <cctype>
 #include <memory>
 
 #include "base_widgets_abstract.h"
@@ -19,9 +20,7 @@
 #include "../image_transforms/assign_image.h"
 #include "../array.h" 
 #include "style.h"
-#include "../smart_pointers/scoped_ptr.h"
 #include "../unicode.h"
-#include <cctype>
 #include "../any.h"
 
 
@@ -696,7 +695,7 @@ namespace dlib
 
         };
         friend struct data;
-        scoped_ptr<data> stuff;
+        std::unique_ptr<data> stuff;
 
 
 
@@ -954,7 +953,7 @@ namespace dlib
         any_function<void(button&)> button_down_handler_self;
         any_function<void(bool,button&)> button_up_handler_self;
 
-        scoped_ptr<button_style> style;
+        std::unique_ptr<button_style> style;
 
     protected:
 
@@ -1417,7 +1416,7 @@ namespace dlib
         timer<scroll_bar> top_filler_timer;
         timer<scroll_bar> bottom_filler_timer;
         long delayed_pos;
-        scoped_ptr<scroll_bar_style> style;
+        std::unique_ptr<scroll_bar_style> style;
 
         // restricted functions
         scroll_bar(scroll_bar&);        // copy constructor
@@ -1927,7 +1926,7 @@ namespace dlib
         {
             auto_mutex M(wm);
             bool t = true;
-            scoped_ptr<menu_item> item(new menu_item_type(new_item));
+            std::unique_ptr<menu_item> item(new menu_item_type(new_item));
             items.push_back(item);
             item_enabled.push_back(t);
 
@@ -2137,7 +2136,7 @@ namespace dlib
         rectangle win_rect; 
         unsigned long left_width;    
         unsigned long middle_width;    
-        array<scoped_ptr<menu_item> > items;
+        array<std::unique_ptr<menu_item> > items;
         array<bool> item_enabled;
         array<rectangle> left_rects;
         array<rectangle> middle_rects;
@@ -2358,7 +2357,7 @@ namespace dlib
         scroll_bar vsb;
         scroll_bar hsb;
 
-        scoped_ptr<scrollable_region_style> style;
+        std::unique_ptr<scrollable_region_style> style;
 
         // restricted functions
         zoomable_region(zoomable_region&);        // copy constructor
@@ -2578,7 +2577,7 @@ namespace dlib
         bool mouse_drag_enabled_;
         bool user_is_dragging_mouse;
         point drag_origin;
-        scoped_ptr<scrollable_region_style> style;
+        std::unique_ptr<scrollable_region_style> style;
 
     };
 
diff --git a/dlib/gui_widgets/widgets.cpp b/dlib/gui_widgets/widgets.cpp
index 5c13b84f6..cf8a39aa7 100644
--- a/dlib/gui_widgets/widgets.cpp
+++ b/dlib/gui_widgets/widgets.cpp
@@ -3002,7 +3002,7 @@ namespace dlib
             const std::string old_path = path;
             const long old_cur_dir = cur_dir;
 
-            scoped_ptr<toggle_button> new_btn(new toggle_button(*this));
+            std::unique_ptr<toggle_button> new_btn(new toggle_button(*this));
             new_btn->set_name(folder_name);
             new_btn->set_click_handler(*this,&box_win::on_path_button_click);
 
@@ -3011,7 +3011,7 @@ namespace dlib
             {
                 while (sob.size() > (unsigned long)(cur_dir+1))
                 {
-                    scoped_ptr<toggle_button> junk;
+                    std::unique_ptr<toggle_button> junk;
                     sob.remove(cur_dir+1,junk);
                 }
             }
diff --git a/dlib/gui_widgets/widgets.h b/dlib/gui_widgets/widgets.h
index 9affe3120..45b37f712 100644
--- a/dlib/gui_widgets/widgets.h
+++ b/dlib/gui_widgets/widgets.h
@@ -24,7 +24,6 @@
 #include "../sequence.h"
 #include "../dir_nav.h"
 #include "../queue.h"
-#include "../smart_pointers/scoped_ptr.h"
 #include "style.h"
 #include "../string.h"
 #include "../misc_api.h"
@@ -293,7 +292,7 @@ namespace dlib
         any_function<void()> event_handler;
         any_function<void(toggle_button&)> event_handler_self;
 
-        scoped_ptr<toggle_button_style> style;
+        std::unique_ptr<toggle_button_style> style;
 
     protected:
 
@@ -656,7 +655,7 @@ namespace dlib
         any_function<void()> enter_key_handler;
         any_function<void()> focus_lost_handler;
 
-        scoped_ptr<text_field_style> style;
+        std::unique_ptr<text_field_style> style;
 
         timer<text_field> t;
 
@@ -1052,7 +1051,7 @@ namespace dlib
         any_function<void()> enter_key_handler;
         any_function<void()> focus_lost_handler;
 
-        scoped_ptr<text_box_style> style;
+        std::unique_ptr<text_box_style> style;
 
         timer<text_box> t;
 
@@ -1829,7 +1828,7 @@ namespace dlib
         any_function<void(unsigned long)> single_click_event_handler;
         unsigned long last_selected;
 
-        scoped_ptr<list_box_style> style;
+        std::unique_ptr<list_box_style> style;
 
         // restricted functions
         list_box(list_box&);        // copy constructor
@@ -1928,7 +1927,7 @@ namespace dlib
             int cur_dir;
 
             any_function<void(const std::string&)> event_handler;
-            sequence<scoped_ptr<toggle_button> >::kernel_2a_c sob;
+            sequence<std::unique_ptr<toggle_button> >::kernel_2a_c sob;
         };
     }
 
diff --git a/dlib/image_loader/png_loader.h b/dlib/image_loader/png_loader.h
index 04dc4ab4c..437e28adf 100644
--- a/dlib/image_loader/png_loader.h
+++ b/dlib/image_loader/png_loader.h
@@ -3,8 +3,9 @@
 #ifndef DLIB_PNG_IMPORT
 #define DLIB_PNG_IMPORT
 
+#include <memory>
+
 #include "png_loader_abstract.h"
-#include "../smart_pointers/scoped_ptr.h"
 #include "image_loader.h"
 #include "../pixel.h"
 #include "../dir_nav.h"
@@ -193,7 +194,7 @@ namespace dlib
         unsigned height_, width_;
         unsigned bit_depth_;
         int color_type_;
-        scoped_ptr<LibpngData> ld_;
+        std::unique_ptr<LibpngData> ld_;
     };
 
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/dlib/iosockstream/iosockstream.h b/dlib/iosockstream/iosockstream.h
index e71afc69d..e49d2e37f 100644
--- a/dlib/iosockstream/iosockstream.h
+++ b/dlib/iosockstream/iosockstream.h
@@ -154,10 +154,10 @@ namespace dlib
             thecon->shutdown();
         }
 
-        scoped_ptr<timeout> con_timeout;
+        std::unique_ptr<timeout> con_timeout;
         rmutex class_mutex; 
         std::shared_ptr<connection> con;
-        scoped_ptr<sockstreambuf> buf;
+        std::unique_ptr<sockstreambuf> buf;
 
     };
 
diff --git a/dlib/logger/logger_kernel_1.cpp b/dlib/logger/logger_kernel_1.cpp
index e867a1075..093cd29a8 100644
--- a/dlib/logger/logger_kernel_1.cpp
+++ b/dlib/logger/logger_kernel_1.cpp
@@ -202,7 +202,7 @@ namespace dlib
         }
         else
         {
-            scoped_ptr<T> temp (new T);
+            std::unique_ptr<T> temp (new T);
             temp->val = c.val;
             assign_tables(*temp, last, val);
             c.table.add(first,temp);
diff --git a/dlib/logger/logger_kernel_1.h b/dlib/logger/logger_kernel_1.h
index cfe0b5569..528bd6f67 100644
--- a/dlib/logger/logger_kernel_1.h
+++ b/dlib/logger/logger_kernel_1.h
@@ -3,20 +3,21 @@
 #ifndef DLIB_LOGGER_KERNEl_1_
 #define DLIB_LOGGER_KERNEl_1_
 
+#include <limits>
+#include <memory>
+#include <cstring>
+#include <streambuf>
+#include <vector>
+
 #include "../threads.h"
 #include "../misc_api.h"
 #include "../set.h"
 #include "logger_kernel_abstract.h"
-#include <limits>
-#include <cstring>
 #include "../algs.h"
 #include "../assert.h"
 #include "../uintn.h"
 #include "../map.h"
-#include "../smart_pointers/scoped_ptr.h"
 #include "../member_function_pointer.h"
-#include <streambuf>
-#include <vector>
 
 namespace dlib
 {
@@ -445,7 +446,7 @@ namespace dlib
                 level_container ();
 
                 log_level val;
-                map<std::string,scoped_ptr<level_container> >::kernel_1b_c table;
+                map<std::string,std::unique_ptr<level_container> >::kernel_1b_c table;
             } level_table;
 
             const log_level level (
@@ -473,7 +474,7 @@ namespace dlib
             struct auto_flush_container
             {
                 bool val;
-                map<std::string,scoped_ptr<auto_flush_container> >::kernel_1b_c table;
+                map<std::string,std::unique_ptr<auto_flush_container> >::kernel_1b_c table;
             } auto_flush_table;
 
             bool auto_flush (
@@ -501,7 +502,7 @@ namespace dlib
             struct output_streambuf_container
             {
                 std::streambuf* val;
-                map<std::string,scoped_ptr<output_streambuf_container> >::kernel_1b_c table;
+                map<std::string,std::unique_ptr<output_streambuf_container> >::kernel_1b_c table;
             } streambuf_table;
 
             std::streambuf* output_streambuf (
@@ -542,7 +543,7 @@ namespace dlib
             struct output_hook_container
             {
                 hook_mfp val;
-                map<std::string,scoped_ptr<output_hook_container> >::kernel_1b_c table;
+                map<std::string,std::unique_ptr<output_hook_container> >::kernel_1b_c table;
             } hook_table;
 
             hook_mfp output_hook (
@@ -570,7 +571,7 @@ namespace dlib
             struct logger_header_container
             {
                 print_header_type val;
-                map<std::string,scoped_ptr<logger_header_container> >::kernel_1b_c table;
+                map<std::string,std::unique_ptr<logger_header_container> >::kernel_1b_c table;
             } header_table;
 
             print_header_type logger_header (
diff --git a/dlib/optimization/optimization_bobyqa.h b/dlib/optimization/optimization_bobyqa.h
index 3542fbdd9..6fbc40c06 100644
--- a/dlib/optimization/optimization_bobyqa.h
+++ b/dlib/optimization/optimization_bobyqa.h
@@ -18,8 +18,9 @@
 
 #include <algorithm>
 #include <cmath>
+#include <memory>
+
 #include "../matrix.h"
-#include "../smart_pointers/scoped_ptr.h"
 #include "optimization_bobyqa_abstract.h"
 #include "optimization.h"
 
@@ -59,7 +60,7 @@ namespace dlib
         {
             const unsigned long n = x.size();
             const unsigned long w_size = (npt+5)*(npt+n)+3*n*(n+5)/2;
-            scoped_ptr<doublereal[]> w(new doublereal[w_size]);
+            std::unique_ptr<doublereal[]> w(new doublereal[w_size]);
 
             // make these temporary matrices becuse U might be some
             // kind of matrix_exp that doesn't support taking the address
diff --git a/dlib/server/server_kernel.h b/dlib/server/server_kernel.h
index 68e102b15..4232ff343 100644
--- a/dlib/server/server_kernel.h
+++ b/dlib/server/server_kernel.h
@@ -5,13 +5,14 @@
 
 #include "server_kernel_abstract.h"
 
+#include <memory>
+#include <string>
+
 #include "../threads.h"
 #include "../sockets.h"
-#include <string>
 #include "../algs.h"
 #include "../set.h"
 #include "../logger.h"
-#include "../smart_pointers/scoped_ptr.h"
 
 
 namespace dlib
@@ -209,8 +210,8 @@ namespace dlib
             int max_connections;
             mutex max_connections_mutex;
             signaler thread_count_zero;
-            scoped_ptr<thread_function> async_start_thread;
-            scoped_ptr<listener> sock;
+            std::unique_ptr<thread_function> async_start_thread;
+            std::unique_ptr<listener> sock;
             unsigned long graceful_close_timeout;
 
 
diff --git a/dlib/smart_pointers.h b/dlib/smart_pointers.h
index 5f4686c1f..4560e55e1 100644
--- a/dlib/smart_pointers.h
+++ b/dlib/smart_pointers.h
@@ -13,9 +13,11 @@
 #pragma GCC warning "smart_pointers.h is included which will fail to compile under C++17"
 #endif
 
-#include "smart_pointers/scoped_ptr.h"
+#include <memory>
+
 #include "smart_pointers/shared_ptr.h"
 #include "smart_pointers/weak_ptr.h"
+#include "smart_pointers/scoped_ptr.h"
 
 #endif // DLIB_SMART_POINTERs_H_ 
 
diff --git a/dlib/smart_pointers/scoped_ptr.h b/dlib/smart_pointers/scoped_ptr.h
index af5964057..dd890f330 100644
--- a/dlib/smart_pointers/scoped_ptr.h
+++ b/dlib/smart_pointers/scoped_ptr.h
@@ -1,217 +1,16 @@
-// Copyright (C) 2007  Davis E. King (davis@dlib.net)
-// License: Boost Software License   See LICENSE.txt for the full license.
-#ifndef DLIB_SCOPED_PTr_
-#define DLIB_SCOPED_PTr_ 
+#ifndef DLIB_SCOPED_PTr_H_
+#define DLIB_SCOPED_PTr_H_ 
 
-#include <algorithm>
-#include "../noncopyable.h"
-#include "../algs.h"
-#include "scoped_ptr_abstract.h"
+#include <memory>
 
-namespace dlib
-{
-
-// ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-    template <typename T>
-    struct default_deleter
-    {
-        void operator() (T* item) const
-        {
-            delete item;
-        }
-    };
-
-    template <typename T>
-    struct default_deleter<T[]>
-    {
-        void operator() (T* item) const
-        {
-            delete [] item;
-        }
-    };
-
-// ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-    template <
-        typename T,
-        typename deleter = default_deleter<T>
-        > 
-    class scoped_ptr : noncopyable 
-    {
-        /*!
-            CONVENTION
-                - get() == ptr
-        !*/
-
-    public:
-        typedef T element_type;
-        typedef deleter deleter_type;
-
-        explicit scoped_ptr (
-            T* p = 0
-        ) : ptr(p) { }
-
-        ~scoped_ptr() 
-        { 
-            if (ptr) 
-            {
-                deleter del;
-                del(ptr); 
-            }
-        }
-
-        void reset (
-            T* p = 0
-        ) 
-        { 
-            if (ptr) 
-            {
-                deleter del;
-                del(ptr); 
-            }
-
-            ptr = p;
-        }
-
-        T& operator*() const
-        {
-            DLIB_ASSERT(get() != 0,
-                        "\tscoped_ptr::operator*()"
-                        << "\n\tget() can't be null if you are going to dereference it"
-                        << "\n\tthis: " << this
-            );
-
-            return *ptr;
-        }
-
-        T* operator->() const
-        {
-            DLIB_ASSERT(get() != 0,
-                        "\tscoped_ptr::operator*()"
-                        << "\n\tget() can't be null"
-                        << "\n\tthis: " << this
-            );
-
-            return ptr;
-        }
-
-        T* get() const
-        {
-            return ptr;
-        }
-
-        operator bool() const
-        {
-            return (ptr != 0);
-        }
-
-        void swap(
-            scoped_ptr& b
-        )
-        {
-            std::swap(ptr,b.ptr);
-        }
-
-    private:
-
-        T* ptr;
-    };
-
-// ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-    template <
-        typename T,
-        typename deleter 
-        > 
-    class scoped_ptr<T[],deleter> : noncopyable 
-    {
-        /*!
-            CONVENTION
-                - get() == ptr
-        !*/
-
-    public:
-        typedef T element_type;
-
-        explicit scoped_ptr (
-            T* p = 0
-        ) : ptr(p) { }
-
-        ~scoped_ptr() 
-        { 
-            if (ptr) 
-            {
-                deleter del;
-                del(ptr); 
-            }
-        }
-
-        void reset (
-            T* p = 0
-        ) 
-        { 
-            if (ptr) 
-            {
-                deleter del;
-                del(ptr); 
-            }
-            ptr = p;
-        }
-
-        T& operator[] (
-            unsigned long idx
-        ) const
-        {
-            DLIB_ASSERT(get() != 0,
-                        "\tscoped_ptr::operator[]()"
-                        << "\n\tget() can't be null if you are going to dereference it"
-                        << "\n\tthis: " << this
-            );
-
-            return ptr[idx];
-        }
-
-        T* get() const
-        {
-            return ptr;
-        }
-
-        operator bool() const
-        {
-            return (ptr != 0);
-        }
-
-        void swap(
-            scoped_ptr& b
-        )
-        {
-            std::swap(ptr,b.ptr);
-        }
-
-    private:
-
-        T* ptr;
-    };
-
-// ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-    template <
-        typename T,
-        typename deleter
-        > 
-    void swap(
-        scoped_ptr<T,deleter>& a, 
-        scoped_ptr<T,deleter>& b
-    )
-    {
-        a.swap(b);
-    }
-
-// ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+namespace dlib {
+  // Template alias for compatibility with clients using old dlib::scoped_ptr
+  // Old scoped_ptr implementation is removed completely
+  // This alias may fail in some reference deduction cases
+  
+  template <class T, class Deleter = std::default_delete<T> >
+  using scoped_ptr = std::unique_ptr<T, Deleter>;
 
 }
 
-#endif // DLIB_SCOPED_PTr_
-
-
+#endif
diff --git a/dlib/smart_pointers/scoped_ptr_abstract.h b/dlib/smart_pointers/scoped_ptr_abstract.h
deleted file mode 100644
index 1bc5db64a..000000000
--- a/dlib/smart_pointers/scoped_ptr_abstract.h
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,172 +0,0 @@
-// Copyright (C) 2007  Davis E. King (davis@dlib.net)
-// License: Boost Software License   See LICENSE.txt for the full license.
-#undef DLIB_SCOPED_PTr_ABSTRACT_
-#ifdef DLIB_SCOPED_PTr_ABSTRACT_
-
-#include "../noncopyable.h"
-
-namespace dlib
-{
-
-// ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-    template <typename T>
-    struct default_deleter
-    {
-        void operator() (
-            T* item
-        ) const;
-        /*!
-            ensures
-                - if (T is an array type (e.g. int[])) then
-                    - performs "delete [] item;"
-                - else
-                    - performs "delete item;"
-        !*/
-    };
-
-// ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-    template <
-        typename T,
-        typename deleter = default_deleter<T>
-        > 
-    class scoped_ptr : noncopyable 
-    {
-        /*!
-            REQUIREMENTS ON deleter
-                Must be a function object that performs deallocation of a pointer
-                of type T.  For example, see the default_deleter type defined above.
-                It must also not throw when constructed or when performing a delete.
-
-            INITIAL VALUE
-                defined by constructor
-
-            WHAT THIS OBJECT REPRESENTS
-                This is a smart pointer class inspired by the implementation of the scoped_ptr 
-                class found in the Boost C++ library.  So this is a simple smart pointer 
-                class which guarantees that the pointer contained within it will always be 
-                deleted.   
-                
-                The class does not permit copying and so does not do any kind of 
-                reference counting.  Thus it is very simply and quite fast.
-                
-                Note that this class allows you to use pointers to arrays as well as 
-                pointers to single items.  To let it know that it is supposed to point
-                to an array you have to declare it using the bracket syntax.  Consider
-                the following examples:
-
-                    // This is how you make a scoped pointer to a single thing
-                    scoped_ptr<int> single_item(new int);
-                    
-                    // This is how you can use a scoped pointer to contain array pointers.
-                    // Note the use of [].  This ensures that the proper version of delete
-                    // is called.
-                    scoped_ptr<int[]> array_of_ints(new int[50]);
-        !*/
-
-    public:
-        typedef T element_type;
-        typedef deleter deleter_type;
-
-        explicit scoped_ptr (
-            T* p = 0
-        );
-        /*!
-            ensures
-                - #get() == p
-        !*/
-
-        ~scoped_ptr(
-        );
-        /*!
-            ensures
-                - if (get() != 0) then
-                    - calls deleter()(get())
-                      (i.e. uses the deleter type to delete the pointer that is
-                      contained in this scoped pointer)
-        !*/
-
-        void reset (
-            T* p = 0
-        );
-        /*!
-            ensures
-                - if (get() != 0) then
-                    - calls deleter()(get())
-                      (i.e. uses the deleter type to delete the pointer that is
-                      contained in this scoped pointer)
-                - #get() == p
-                  (i.e. makes this object contain a pointer to p instead of whatever it 
-                  used to contain)
-        !*/
-
-        T& operator*(
-        ) const;
-        /*!
-            requires
-                - get() != 0
-                - T is NOT an array type (e.g. not int[])
-            ensures
-                - returns a reference to *get()
-        !*/
-
-        T* operator->(
-        ) const;
-        /*!
-            requires
-                - get() != 0
-                - T is NOT an array type (e.g. not int[])
-            ensures
-                - returns the pointer contained in this object
-        !*/
-
-        T& operator[](
-            unsigned long idx
-        ) const;
-        /*!
-            requires
-                - get() != 0
-                - T is an array type (e.g. int[])
-            ensures
-                - returns get()[idx] 
-        !*/
-
-        T* get(
-        ) const;
-        /*!
-            ensures
-                - returns the pointer contained in this object
-        !*/
-
-        operator bool(
-        ) const;
-        /*!
-            ensures
-                - returns get() != 0
-        !*/
-
-        void swap(
-            scoped_ptr& b
-        );
-        /*!
-            ensures
-                - swaps *this and item
-        !*/
-    };
-
-    template <
-        typename T
-        > 
-    void swap(
-        scoped_ptr<T>& a, 
-        scoped_ptr<T>& b
-    ) { a.swap(b); }
-    /*!
-        provides a global swap function
-    !*/
-}
-
-#endif // DLIB_SCOPED_PTr_ABSTRACT_
-
-
diff --git a/dlib/sockets/sockets_extensions.cpp b/dlib/sockets/sockets_extensions.cpp
index 1d794398c..be08c1998 100644
--- a/dlib/sockets/sockets_extensions.cpp
+++ b/dlib/sockets/sockets_extensions.cpp
@@ -294,14 +294,14 @@ namespace dlib
         unsigned long timeout 
     )
     {
-        scoped_ptr<connection> ptr(con);
+        std::unique_ptr<connection> ptr(con);
         close_gracefully(ptr,timeout);
     }
 
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     void close_gracefully (
-        scoped_ptr<connection>& con,
+        std::unique_ptr<connection>& con,
         unsigned long timeout 
     )
     {
diff --git a/dlib/sockets/sockets_extensions.h b/dlib/sockets/sockets_extensions.h
index a733676b5..9faa34e01 100644
--- a/dlib/sockets/sockets_extensions.h
+++ b/dlib/sockets/sockets_extensions.h
@@ -3,11 +3,14 @@
 #ifndef DLIB_SOCKETS_EXTENSIONs_
 #define DLIB_SOCKETS_EXTENSIONs_
 
-#include <string>
-#include "../sockets.h"
-#include "sockets_extensions_abstract.h"
-#include "../smart_pointers/scoped_ptr.h"
 #include <iosfwd>
+#include <memory>
+#include <string>
+
+#include "../sockets.h"
+#include "../smart_pointers/scoped_ptr.h"
+#include "sockets_extensions_abstract.h"
+
 
 namespace dlib
 {
@@ -132,7 +135,7 @@ namespace dlib
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     void close_gracefully (
-        scoped_ptr<connection>& con,
+        std::unique_ptr<connection>& con,
         unsigned long timeout = 500
     );
 
diff --git a/dlib/sockets/sockets_extensions_abstract.h b/dlib/sockets/sockets_extensions_abstract.h
index f40ac705a..194c22ab2 100644
--- a/dlib/sockets/sockets_extensions_abstract.h
+++ b/dlib/sockets/sockets_extensions_abstract.h
@@ -3,9 +3,10 @@
 #undef DLIB_SOCKETS_EXTENSIONs_ABSTRACT_
 #ifdef DLIB_SOCKETS_EXTENSIONs_ABSTRACT_
 
+#include <memory>
 #include <string>
+
 #include "sockets_kernel_abstract.h"
-#include "../smart_pointers.h"
 #include "../error.h"
 
 namespace dlib
@@ -265,7 +266,7 @@ namespace dlib
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     void close_gracefully (
-        scoped_ptr<connection>& con,
+        std::unique_ptr<connection>& con,
         unsigned long timeout = 500
     );
     /*!
diff --git a/dlib/sockets/sockets_kernel_1.cpp b/dlib/sockets/sockets_kernel_1.cpp
index a4b1887d1..55e39569f 100644
--- a/dlib/sockets/sockets_kernel_1.cpp
+++ b/dlib/sockets/sockets_kernel_1.cpp
@@ -498,7 +498,7 @@ namespace dlib
 
     int listener::
     accept (
-        scoped_ptr<connection>& new_connection,
+        std::unique_ptr<connection>& new_connection,
         unsigned long timeout
     )
     {
@@ -646,7 +646,7 @@ namespace dlib
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------    
 
     int create_listener (
-        scoped_ptr<listener>& new_listener,
+        std::unique_ptr<listener>& new_listener,
         unsigned short port,
         const std::string& ip
     )
@@ -764,7 +764,7 @@ namespace dlib
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     int create_connection (
-        scoped_ptr<connection>& new_connection,
+        std::unique_ptr<connection>& new_connection,
         unsigned short foreign_port, 
         const std::string& foreign_ip, 
         unsigned short local_port,
diff --git a/dlib/sockets/sockets_kernel_1.h b/dlib/sockets/sockets_kernel_1.h
index 5eb4c2aad..5fb73ecd6 100644
--- a/dlib/sockets/sockets_kernel_1.h
+++ b/dlib/sockets/sockets_kernel_1.h
@@ -9,8 +9,10 @@
 
 #include "sockets_kernel_abstract.h"
 
-#include "../algs.h"
+#include <memory>
 #include <string>
+
+#include "../algs.h"
 #include "../threads.h"
 #include "../uintn.h"
 
@@ -268,7 +270,7 @@ namespace dlib
         );
 
         int accept (
-            scoped_ptr<connection>& new_connection,
+            std::unique_ptr<connection>& new_connection,
             unsigned long timeout = 0
         );
 
@@ -323,13 +325,13 @@ namespace dlib
     );
 
     int create_listener (
-        scoped_ptr<listener>& new_listener,
+        std::unique_ptr<listener>& new_listener,
         unsigned short port,
         const std::string& ip = ""
     );
 
     int create_connection ( 
-        scoped_ptr<connection>& new_connection,
+        std::unique_ptr<connection>& new_connection,
         unsigned short foreign_port, 
         const std::string& foreign_ip, 
         unsigned short local_port = 0,
diff --git a/dlib/sockets/sockets_kernel_2.cpp b/dlib/sockets/sockets_kernel_2.cpp
index 862ec49df..ac7408ff3 100644
--- a/dlib/sockets/sockets_kernel_2.cpp
+++ b/dlib/sockets/sockets_kernel_2.cpp
@@ -527,7 +527,7 @@ namespace dlib
 
     int listener::
     accept (
-        scoped_ptr<connection>& new_connection,
+        std::unique_ptr<connection>& new_connection,
         unsigned long timeout
     )
     {
@@ -788,7 +788,7 @@ namespace dlib
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------    
 
     int create_listener (
-        scoped_ptr<listener>& new_listener,
+        std::unique_ptr<listener>& new_listener,
         unsigned short port,
         const std::string& ip
     )
@@ -907,7 +907,7 @@ namespace dlib
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     int create_connection (
-        scoped_ptr<connection>& new_connection,
+        std::unique_ptr<connection>& new_connection,
         unsigned short foreign_port, 
         const std::string& foreign_ip, 
         unsigned short local_port,
diff --git a/dlib/sockets/sockets_kernel_2.h b/dlib/sockets/sockets_kernel_2.h
index 10cf90af9..f3bc94ec0 100644
--- a/dlib/sockets/sockets_kernel_2.h
+++ b/dlib/sockets/sockets_kernel_2.h
@@ -13,10 +13,14 @@
 
 #define _BSD_SOCKLEN_T_
 
+#include <ctime>
+#include <memory>
+#include <string>
+
 #include <sys/types.h>
 #include <sys/socket.h>
 #include <errno.h>
-#include <ctime>
+
 #ifndef HPUX
 #include <sys/select.h>
 #endif
@@ -26,13 +30,12 @@
 #include <netdb.h>
 #include <unistd.h>
 #include <sys/param.h>
-#include <string>
 
 #include <netinet/in.h>
 
 #include "../threads.h"
 #include "../algs.h"
-#include "../smart_pointers/scoped_ptr.h"
+
 
 
 
@@ -312,7 +315,7 @@ namespace dlib
         );
 
         int accept (
-            scoped_ptr<connection>& new_connection,
+            std::unique_ptr<connection>& new_connection,
             unsigned long timeout = 0
         );
 
@@ -368,13 +371,13 @@ namespace dlib
     );
 
     int create_listener (
-        scoped_ptr<listener>& new_listener,
+        std::unique_ptr<listener>& new_listener,
         unsigned short port,
         const std::string& ip = ""
     );
 
     int create_connection ( 
-        scoped_ptr<connection>& new_connection,
+        std::unique_ptr<connection>& new_connection,
         unsigned short foreign_port, 
         const std::string& foreign_ip, 
         unsigned short local_port = 0,
diff --git a/dlib/sockets/sockets_kernel_abstract.h b/dlib/sockets/sockets_kernel_abstract.h
index 85bf216fd..d4571acad 100644
--- a/dlib/sockets/sockets_kernel_abstract.h
+++ b/dlib/sockets/sockets_kernel_abstract.h
@@ -117,13 +117,13 @@ namespace dlib
     !*/
 
     int create_listener (
-        scoped_ptr<listener>& new_listener,
+        std::unique_ptr<listener>& new_listener,
         unsigned short port,
         const std::string& ip = ""
     );
     /*!
         This function is just an overload of the above function but it gives you a
-        scoped_ptr smart pointer instead of a C pointer.
+        std::unique_ptr smart pointer instead of a C pointer.
     !*/
 
     int create_connection ( 
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ namespace dlib
         !*/
 
     int create_connection ( 
-        scoped_ptr<connection>& new_connection,
+        std::unique_ptr<connection>& new_connection,
         unsigned short foreign_port, 
         const std::string& foreign_ip, 
         unsigned short local_port = 0,
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ namespace dlib
     );
     /*!
         This function is just an overload of the above function but it gives you a
-        scoped_ptr smart pointer instead of a C pointer.
+        std::unique_ptr smart pointer instead of a C pointer.
     !*/
 
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -459,12 +459,12 @@ namespace dlib
         !*/
 
         int accept (
-            scoped_ptr<connection>& new_connection,
+            std::unique_ptr<connection>& new_connection,
             unsigned long timeout = 0
         );
         /*!
             This function is just an overload of the above function but it gives you a
-            scoped_ptr smart pointer instead of a C pointer.
+            std::unique_ptr smart pointer instead of a C pointer.
         !*/
 
         unsigned short get_listening_port (
diff --git a/dlib/sockstreambuf/sockstreambuf.h b/dlib/sockstreambuf/sockstreambuf.h
index b02301865..f5b450e78 100644
--- a/dlib/sockstreambuf/sockstreambuf.h
+++ b/dlib/sockstreambuf/sockstreambuf.h
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ namespace dlib
         }
 
         sockstreambuf (
-            const scoped_ptr<connection>& con_
+            const std::unique_ptr<connection>& con_
         ) :
             con(*con_),
             out_buffer(0),
diff --git a/dlib/sockstreambuf/sockstreambuf_abstract.h b/dlib/sockstreambuf/sockstreambuf_abstract.h
index 25251ff26..12be84193 100644
--- a/dlib/sockstreambuf/sockstreambuf_abstract.h
+++ b/dlib/sockstreambuf/sockstreambuf_abstract.h
@@ -4,7 +4,9 @@
 #ifdef DLIB_SOCKSTREAMBUF_ABSTRACT_
 
 #include <iosfwd>
+#include <memory>
 #include <streambuf>
+
 #include "../sockets/sockets_kernel_abstract.h"
 
 namespace dlib
@@ -60,7 +62,7 @@ namespace dlib
         !*/
 
         sockstreambuf (
-            const scoped_ptr<connection>& con
+            const std::unique_ptr<connection>& con
         );
         /*!
             requires
diff --git a/dlib/sockstreambuf/sockstreambuf_unbuffered.h b/dlib/sockstreambuf/sockstreambuf_unbuffered.h
index f9aae4c15..8aa5992db 100644
--- a/dlib/sockstreambuf/sockstreambuf_unbuffered.h
+++ b/dlib/sockstreambuf/sockstreambuf_unbuffered.h
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ namespace dlib
         {}
 
         sockstreambuf_unbuffered (
-            const scoped_ptr<connection>& con_
+            const std::unique_ptr<connection>& con_
         ) :
             con(*con_),
             peek(EOF),
diff --git a/dlib/svm/kkmeans.h b/dlib/svm/kkmeans.h
index 89fc3b7af..4c72106d8 100644
--- a/dlib/svm/kkmeans.h
+++ b/dlib/svm/kkmeans.h
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@
 #define DLIB_KKMEANs_
 
 #include <cmath>
+#include <vector>
+
 #include "../matrix/matrix_abstract.h"
 #include "../algs.h"
 #include "../serialize.h"
@@ -12,8 +14,6 @@
 #include "kcentroid.h"
 #include "kkmeans_abstract.h"
 #include "../noncopyable.h"
-#include "../smart_pointers/scoped_ptr.h"
-#include <vector>
 
 namespace dlib
 {
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ namespace dlib
             item.centers.resize(num);
             for (unsigned long i = 0; i < item.centers.size(); ++i)
             {
-                scoped_ptr<kcentroid<kernel_type> > temp(new kcentroid<kernel_type>(kernel_type()));
+                std::unique_ptr<kcentroid<kernel_type> > temp(new kcentroid<kernel_type>(kernel_type()));
                 deserialize(*temp, in);
                 item.centers[i].swap(temp);
             }
@@ -270,7 +270,7 @@ namespace dlib
 
         }
 
-        array<scoped_ptr<kcentroid<kernel_type> > > centers;
+        array<std::unique_ptr<kcentroid<kernel_type> > > centers;
         kcentroid<kernel_type> kc;
         scalar_type min_change;
 
diff --git a/dlib/svm/structural_svm_distributed.h b/dlib/svm/structural_svm_distributed.h
index b4a058d82..a9542c70f 100644
--- a/dlib/svm/structural_svm_distributed.h
+++ b/dlib/svm/structural_svm_distributed.h
@@ -332,7 +332,7 @@ namespace dlib
         };
 
 
-        scoped_ptr<base> the_problem;
+        std::unique_ptr<base> the_problem;
     };
 
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/dlib/test/sockets.cpp b/dlib/test/sockets.cpp
index ab0361444..920fa9402 100644
--- a/dlib/test/sockets.cpp
+++ b/dlib/test/sockets.cpp
@@ -2,10 +2,12 @@
 // License: Boost Software License   See LICENSE.txt for the full license.
 
 
-#include <sstream>
-#include <string>
 #include <cstdlib>
 #include <ctime>
+#include <memory>
+#include <sstream>
+#include <string>
+
 #include <dlib/sockets.h>
 #include <dlib/server.h>
 #include <dlib/misc_api.h>
@@ -118,7 +120,7 @@ namespace  {
                 }
 
                 int status;
-                scoped_ptr<connection> con;
+                std::unique_ptr<connection> con;
                 string hostname;
                 string ip;
                 status = get_local_hostname(hostname);
diff --git a/dlib/test/sockets2.cpp b/dlib/test/sockets2.cpp
index c6fbbf508..3521e751d 100644
--- a/dlib/test/sockets2.cpp
+++ b/dlib/test/sockets2.cpp
@@ -1,11 +1,13 @@
 // Copyright (C) 2008  Davis E. King (davis@dlib.net)
 // License: Boost Software License   See LICENSE.txt for the full license.
 
+#include <algorithm>
+#include <memory>
+
 #include "tester.h"
 #include <dlib/sockets.h>
 #include <dlib/threads.h>
 #include <dlib/array.h>
-#include <algorithm>
 
 // This is called an unnamed-namespace and it has the effect of making everything 
 // inside this file "private" so that everything you declare will have static linkage.  
@@ -39,7 +41,7 @@ namespace
         {
             try
             {
-                scoped_ptr<connection> con(connect("127.0.0.1", port_num));
+                std::unique_ptr<connection> con(connect("127.0.0.1", port_num));
 
                 // Send a copy of the data down the connection so we can test our the read() function
                 // that uses timeouts in the main thread.
@@ -63,7 +65,7 @@ namespace
         {
             try
             {
-                scoped_ptr<connection> con(connect("127.0.0.1", port_num));
+                std::unique_ptr<connection> con(connect("127.0.0.1", port_num));
 
                 // just do nothing until the connection closes
                 char ch;
@@ -120,17 +122,17 @@ namespace
             dlog << LINFO << "data block size: " << data_to_send.size();
 
 
-            scoped_ptr<listener> list;
+            std::unique_ptr<listener> list;
             DLIB_TEST(create_listener(list, port_num, "127.0.0.1") == 0);
-            DLIB_TEST(list);
+            DLIB_TEST(bool(list));
 
             // kick off the sending threads
             start();
 
 
-            dlib::array<scoped_ptr<connection> > cons;
+            dlib::array<std::unique_ptr<connection> > cons;
             std::vector<long> bytes_received(6,0);
-            scoped_ptr<connection> con_temp;
+            std::unique_ptr<connection> con_temp;
             
             // accept the 6 connections we should get
             for (int i = 0; i < 6; ++i)
diff --git a/dlib/test/sockstreambuf.cpp b/dlib/test/sockstreambuf.cpp
index 21282d852..519feb2b5 100644
--- a/dlib/test/sockstreambuf.cpp
+++ b/dlib/test/sockstreambuf.cpp
@@ -2,15 +2,15 @@
 // License: Boost Software License   See LICENSE.txt for the full license.
 
 
+#include <cstdlib>
 #include <sstream>
 #include <string>
-#include <cstdlib>
+#include <vector>
+
 #include <ctime>
 #include <dlib/sockets.h>
 #include <dlib/misc_api.h>
 #include <dlib/sockstreambuf.h>
-#include <vector>
-#include <dlib/smart_pointers/scoped_ptr.h>
 
 #include "tester.h"
 
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ namespace
         }
 
         // make sure con gets deleted
-        scoped_ptr<connection> del_con(con);
+        std::unique_ptr<connection> del_con(con);
 
         ssb buf(con);
         istream in(&buf);
diff --git a/dlib/test/tester.h b/dlib/test/tester.h
index b228ffdf0..e16647cf5 100644
--- a/dlib/test/tester.h
+++ b/dlib/test/tester.h
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
 #endif
 
 
-#define DLIB_TEST(_exp) check_test(_exp, __LINE__, __FILE__, #_exp)
+#define DLIB_TEST(_exp) check_test(bool(_exp), __LINE__, __FILE__, #_exp)
 
 #define DLIB_TEST_MSG(_exp,_message)                                        \
     do{increment_test_count(); if ( !(_exp) )                                 \
diff --git a/dlib/threads/thread_function_extension.h b/dlib/threads/thread_function_extension.h
index cfad5dbe4..7ecdd6520 100644
--- a/dlib/threads/thread_function_extension.h
+++ b/dlib/threads/thread_function_extension.h
@@ -1,13 +1,14 @@
 // Copyright (C) 2007  Davis E. King (davis@dlib.net)
 // License: Boost Software License   See LICENSE.txt for the full license.
 #ifndef DLIB_THREAD_FUNCTIOn_
-#define DLIB_THREAD_FUNCTIOn_ 
+#define DLIB_THREAD_FUNCTIOn_
+
+#include <memory>
 
 #include "thread_function_extension_abstract.h"
 #include "threads_kernel.h"
 #include "auto_mutex_extension.h"
 #include "threaded_object_extension.h"
-#include "../smart_pointers/scoped_ptr.h"
 
 namespace dlib
 {
@@ -197,7 +198,7 @@ namespace dlib
             f->go();
         }
 
-        scoped_ptr<base_funct> f;
+        std::unique_ptr<base_funct> f;
 
         // restricted functions
         thread_function(thread_function&);        // copy constructor
diff --git a/examples/bayes_net_gui_ex.cpp b/examples/bayes_net_gui_ex.cpp
index bc981b69b..81101912c 100644
--- a/examples/bayes_net_gui_ex.cpp
+++ b/examples/bayes_net_gui_ex.cpp
@@ -21,13 +21,14 @@
     examples and want to see a more in-depth example then by all means, continue reading. :)
 */
 
-#include <dlib/gui_widgets.h>
+#include <memory>
 #include <sstream>
 #include <string>
+
+#include <dlib/gui_widgets.h>
 #include <dlib/directed_graph.h>
 #include <dlib/string.h>
 #include <dlib/bayes_utils.h>
-#include <dlib/smart_pointers/scoped_ptr.h>
 #include <dlib/set.h>
 #include <dlib/graph_utils.h>
 #include <dlib/stl_checked.h>
@@ -123,7 +124,7 @@ private:
     widget_group cpt_group;
     widget_group ppt_group;
 
-    scoped_ptr<bayesian_network_join_tree> solution;
+    std::unique_ptr<bayesian_network_join_tree> solution;
     join_tree_type join_tree;
     // The std_vector_c is an object identical to the std::vector except that it checks
     // all its preconditions and throws a dlib::fatal_error if they are violated.
diff --git a/examples/sockstreambuf_ex.cpp b/examples/sockstreambuf_ex.cpp
index c7a921e80..93200baa5 100644
--- a/examples/sockstreambuf_ex.cpp
+++ b/examples/sockstreambuf_ex.cpp
@@ -15,9 +15,11 @@
     http://www.jmarshall.com/easy/http/
 */
 
+#include <iostream>
+#include <memory>
+
 #include <dlib/sockets.h>
 #include <dlib/sockstreambuf.h>
-#include <iostream>
 
 using namespace std;
 using namespace dlib;
@@ -31,7 +33,7 @@ int main()
         // are using a smart pointer here to contain the connection pointer
         // returned from connect.  Doing this ensures that the connection
         // is deleted even if someone throws an exception somewhere in your code.
-        scoped_ptr<connection> con(connect("www.google.com",80));
+        std::unique_ptr<connection> con(connect("www.google.com",80));
 
 
         {