diff --git a/src/etc/inc/config.lib.inc b/src/etc/inc/config.lib.inc
index 919582e51..6d73983e3 100644
--- a/src/etc/inc/config.lib.inc
+++ b/src/etc/inc/config.lib.inc
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ function convert_config()
     }
 
     if ($prev_version != $config['version']) {
-        write_config(sprintf(gettext('Upgraded config version level from %s to %s'), $prev_version, $config['version']));
+        write_config(sprintf('Upgraded config version level from %s to %s', $prev_version, $config['version']));
     }
 }
 
@@ -222,7 +222,7 @@ function config_restore($conffile)
 
     $config = parse_config();
 
-    write_config(gettext("Reverted to") . " " . array_pop(explode("/", $conffile)) . ".", false);
+    write_config(sprintf('Reverted to %s', array_pop(explode('/', $conffile))), false);
 
     return 0;
 }
@@ -312,7 +312,7 @@ function make_config_revision_entry($desc = '')
     }
 
     if (empty($desc)) {
-        $desc = sprintf(gettext('%s made changes'), $_SERVER['SCRIPT_NAME']);
+        $desc = sprintf('%s made changes', $_SERVER['SCRIPT_NAME']);
     }
 
     $revision = array();
diff --git a/src/etc/inc/services.inc b/src/etc/inc/services.inc
index 0e2ec47f8..406fde3f9 100644
--- a/src/etc/inc/services.inc
+++ b/src/etc/inc/services.inc
@@ -2355,31 +2355,6 @@ function configure_cron()
 {
     global $config;
 
-    /*
-     * Strip the cron jobs that we no longer save explicitly.
-     * This can be safely removed on our final road to 17.1.
-     */
-    if (isset($config['cron']['item'])) {
-        $flush = false;
-        $index = 0;
-
-        /* PHP retains the index, can iterate all and unset */
-        foreach ($config['cron']['item'] as $item) {
-            unset($config['cron']['item'][$index]);
-            $flush = true;
-            $index++;
-        }
-
-        if (!count($config['cron']['item'])) {
-            unset($config['cron']);
-            $flush = true;
-        }
-
-        if ($flush) {
-            write_config(gettext('Removed obsolete cron jobs'));
-        }
-    }
-
     $autocron = array();
 
     /* hourly */
diff --git a/src/etc/inc/system.inc b/src/etc/inc/system.inc
index b98b88b64..06bccd4ba 100644
--- a/src/etc/inc/system.inc
+++ b/src/etc/inc/system.inc
@@ -981,7 +981,7 @@ function system_webgui_configure()
             cert_import($cert, $crt, $key);
             $a_cert[] = $cert;
             $config['system']['webgui']['ssl-certref'] = $cert['refid'];
-            write_config(gettext("Importing HTTPS certificate"));
+            write_config('Importing HTTPS certificate');
         } else {
             $crt = base64_decode($cert['crt']);
             $key = base64_decode($cert['prv']);
diff --git a/src/etc/inc/xmlrpc/legacy.inc b/src/etc/inc/xmlrpc/legacy.inc
index 237611835..ce7ec251e 100644
--- a/src/etc/inc/xmlrpc/legacy.inc
+++ b/src/etc/inc/xmlrpc/legacy.inc
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ function restore_config_section_xmlrpc($new_config)
 
     /* Log what happened */
     $mergedkeys = implode(",", array_merge(array_keys($new_config), $sync_full_done));
-    write_config(sprintf(gettext("Merged in config (%s sections) from XMLRPC client."), $mergedkeys));
+    write_config(sprintf('Merged %s config sections from XMLRPC client.', $mergedkeys));
 
     /*
      * Handle virtual ips
diff --git a/src/etc/rc.initial.password b/src/etc/rc.initial.password
index fe9cb7f51..fbae06c99 100755
--- a/src/etc/rc.initial.password
+++ b/src/etc/rc.initial.password
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ if (strcasecmp(chop(fgets($fp)), 'y') == 0) {
 
     local_user_set_password($admin_user, $g['factory_shipped_password']);
     local_user_set($admin_user);
-    write_config(gettext("password changed from console menu"));
+    write_config('Password reset from console menu');
 
     printf("\n\n");
     printf(gettext("The password has been reset."));
diff --git a/src/etc/rc.initial.setlanip b/src/etc/rc.initial.setlanip
index c7893c654..ff6a296d3 100755
--- a/src/etc/rc.initial.setlanip
+++ b/src/etc/rc.initial.setlanip
@@ -492,7 +492,7 @@ if (!$config['interfaces']['lan']) {
 $upperifname = strtoupper($interface);
 if (!$dry_run) {
     echo "\nPlease wait while the changes are saved to {$upperifname}...";
-    write_config(sprintf(gettext("%s IP configuration from console menu"), $interface));
+    write_config(sprintf('%s IP configuration from console menu', $interface));
     interface_reconfigure(strtolower($upperifname));
     echo "\n Reloading filter...";
     filter_configure_sync();
diff --git a/src/wizard/setup.xml b/src/wizard/setup.xml
index d068da071..969f0958b 100644
--- a/src/wizard/setup.xml
+++ b/src/wizard/setup.xml
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@
 	<stepbeforeformdisplay>
 		if (isset($config['trigger_initial_wizard'])) {
 			unset($config['trigger_initial_wizard']);
-			write_config(gettext("Triggered initial wizard"));
+			write_config('Triggered initial wizard');
 		}
 	</stepbeforeformdisplay>
 </step>
diff --git a/src/www/diag_backup.php b/src/www/diag_backup.php
index d848b55fb..113e00b23 100644
--- a/src/www/diag_backup.php
+++ b/src/www/diag_backup.php
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ function restore_config_section($section_name, $new_contents)
 
     $config[$section_name] = $xml[$section_name];
 
-    write_config(sprintf(gettext("Restored %s of config file"), $section_name));
+    write_config(sprintf('Restored section %s of config file', $section_name));
     convert_config();
 
     disable_security_checks();
diff --git a/src/www/diag_confbak.php b/src/www/diag_confbak.php
index 8af37e960..063c7c827 100644
--- a/src/www/diag_confbak.php
+++ b/src/www/diag_confbak.php
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'GET') {
         }
         if (count($input_errors) == 0) {
             $config['system']['backupcount'] = $pconfig['backupcount'];
-            write_config(gettext('Changed backup revision count.'));
+            write_config('Changed backup revision count');
             $savemsg = get_std_save_message();
         }
     }
diff --git a/src/www/firewall_nat_1to1.php b/src/www/firewall_nat_1to1.php
index 247de66a6..b6abf4085 100644
--- a/src/www/firewall_nat_1to1.php
+++ b/src/www/firewall_nat_1to1.php
@@ -51,9 +51,8 @@ if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'POST') {
     } elseif (isset($pconfig['action']) && $pconfig['action'] == 'del' && isset($id)) {
         // delete single entry
         unset($a_1to1[$id]);
-        if (write_config()) {
-            mark_subsystem_dirty('natconf');
-        }
+        write_config();
+        mark_subsystem_dirty('natconf');
         header("Location: firewall_nat_1to1.php");
         exit;
     } elseif (isset($pconfig['action']) && $pconfig['action'] == 'del_x' && isset($pconfig['rule']) && count($pconfig['rule']) > 0) {
@@ -61,9 +60,8 @@ if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'POST') {
         foreach ($pconfig['rule'] as $rulei) {
             unset($a_1to1[$rulei]);
         }
-        if (write_config()) {
-            mark_subsystem_dirty('natconf');
-        }
+        write_config();
+        mark_subsystem_dirty('natconf');
         header("Location: firewall_nat_1to1.php");
         exit;
     } elseif (isset($pconfig['action']) && $pconfig['action'] == 'move') {
@@ -75,9 +73,8 @@ if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'POST') {
             }
             $a_1to1 = legacy_move_config_list_items($a_1to1, $id,  $pconfig['rule']);
 
-            if (write_config()) {
-                mark_subsystem_dirty('natconf');
-            }
+            write_config();
+            mark_subsystem_dirty('natconf');
             header("Location: firewall_nat_1to1.php");
             exit;
         }
@@ -88,9 +85,8 @@ if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'POST') {
         } else {
             $a_1to1[$id]['disabled'] = true;
         }
-        if (write_config(gettext('Toggled NAT rule'))) {
-            mark_subsystem_dirty('natconf');
-        }
+        write_config('Toggled NAT 1:1 rule');
+        mark_subsystem_dirty('natconf');
         header("Location: firewall_nat_1to1.php");
         exit;
     }
diff --git a/src/www/firewall_nat_npt.php b/src/www/firewall_nat_npt.php
index a9c3293b9..e011acc90 100644
--- a/src/www/firewall_nat_npt.php
+++ b/src/www/firewall_nat_npt.php
@@ -47,52 +47,48 @@ if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'POST') {
         $savemsg = get_std_save_message();
         clear_subsystem_dirty('natconf');
         clear_subsystem_dirty('filter');
-    }  elseif (isset($pconfig['act']) && $pconfig['act'] == 'del' && isset($id)) {
+    } elseif (isset($pconfig['act']) && $pconfig['act'] == 'del' && isset($id)) {
         // delete single record
         unset($a_npt[$id]);
-        if (write_config()) {
-            mark_subsystem_dirty('natconf');
-        }
+        write_config();
+        mark_subsystem_dirty('natconf');
         header("Location: firewall_nat_npt.php");
         exit;
-      } elseif (isset($pconfig['act']) && $pconfig['act'] == 'del_x' && isset($pconfig['rule']) && count($pconfig['rule']) > 0) {
-          /* delete selected rules */
-          foreach ($pconfig['rule'] as $rulei) {
-              if (isset($a_npt[$rulei])) {
-                  unset($a_npt[$rulei]);
-              }
-          }
-          if (write_config()) {
-              mark_subsystem_dirty('natconf');
-          }
-          header("Location: firewall_nat_npt.php");
-          exit;
-        } elseif ( isset($pconfig['act']) && $pconfig['act'] == 'move') {
-            // move records
-            if (isset($pconfig['rule']) && count($pconfig['rule']) > 0) {
-                // if rule not set/found, move to end
-                if (!isset($id)) {
-                    $id = count($a_npt);
-                }
-                $a_npt = legacy_move_config_list_items($a_npt, $id,  $pconfig['rule']);
+    } elseif (isset($pconfig['act']) && $pconfig['act'] == 'del_x' && isset($pconfig['rule']) && count($pconfig['rule']) > 0) {
+        /* delete selected rules */
+        foreach ($pconfig['rule'] as $rulei) {
+            if (isset($a_npt[$rulei])) {
+                unset($a_npt[$rulei]);
             }
-            if (write_config()) {
-                mark_subsystem_dirty('natconf');
+        }
+        write_config();
+        mark_subsystem_dirty('natconf');
+        header("Location: firewall_nat_npt.php");
+        exit;
+     } elseif (isset($pconfig['act']) && $pconfig['act'] == 'move') {
+        // move records
+        if (isset($pconfig['rule']) && count($pconfig['rule']) > 0) {
+            // if rule not set/found, move to end
+            if (!isset($id)) {
+                $id = count($a_npt);
             }
-            header("Location: firewall_nat_npt.php");
-            exit;
-        } elseif (isset($pconfig['act']) && $pconfig['act'] == 'toggle' && isset($id)) {
-            // toggle item
-            if(isset($a_npt[$id]['disabled'])) {
-                unset($a_npt[$id]['disabled']);
-            } else {
-                $a_npt[$id]['disabled'] = true;
-            }
-            if (write_config(gettext("Firewall: NAT: NPT, enable/disable NAT rule"))) {
-                mark_subsystem_dirty('natconf');
-            }
-            header("Location: firewall_nat_npt.php");
-            exit;
+            $a_npt = legacy_move_config_list_items($a_npt, $id,  $pconfig['rule']);
+        }
+        write_config();
+        mark_subsystem_dirty('natconf');
+        header("Location: firewall_nat_npt.php");
+        exit;
+    } elseif (isset($pconfig['act']) && $pconfig['act'] == 'toggle' && isset($id)) {
+        // toggle item
+        if(isset($a_npt[$id]['disabled'])) {
+            unset($a_npt[$id]['disabled']);
+        } else {
+            $a_npt[$id]['disabled'] = true;
+        }
+        write_config('Toggled NAT NPT rule');
+        mark_subsystem_dirty('natconf');
+        header("Location: firewall_nat_npt.php");
+        exit;
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/www/index.php b/src/www/index.php
index 3c42f9941..4840a8412 100644
--- a/src/www/index.php
+++ b/src/www/index.php
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'GET') {
     } elseif(isset($config['widgets']['column_count'])) {
         unset($config['widgets']['column_count']);
     }
-    write_config(gettext('Widget configuration has been changed.'));
+    write_config('Widget configuration has been changed');
     header('Location: index.php');
     exit;
 }
diff --git a/src/www/services_rfc2136_edit.php b/src/www/services_rfc2136_edit.php
index 1c88e52f5..e5a171f77 100644
--- a/src/www/services_rfc2136_edit.php
+++ b/src/www/services_rfc2136_edit.php
@@ -101,7 +101,8 @@ if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'GET') {
         } else {
             $a_rfc2136[] = $rfc2136;
         }
-        write_config(gettext("New/Edited RFC2136 dnsupdate entry was posted."));
+
+        write_config('New/Edited RFC2136 dnsupdate entry was posted');
 
         if (!empty($pconfig['force'])) {
             services_dnsupdate_process("", $rfc2136['host'], true);
diff --git a/src/www/services_upnp.php b/src/www/services_upnp.php
index d29d40f8e..de202b9cf 100644
--- a/src/www/services_upnp.php
+++ b/src/www/services_upnp.php
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'GET') {
         // sync to config
         $config['installedpackages']['miniupnpd']['config'] = $upnp;
 
-        write_config(gettext('Modified Universal Plug and Play settings.'));
+        write_config('Modified Universal Plug and Play settings');
         sync_package_miniupnpd();
         header("Location: services_upnp.php");
         exit;
diff --git a/src/www/system_crlmanager.php b/src/www/system_crlmanager.php
index 00ba44e06..39c65415c 100644
--- a/src/www/system_crlmanager.php
+++ b/src/www/system_crlmanager.php
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'GET') {
                     unset($a_crl[$cid]);
                 }
             }
-            write_config("Deleted CRL {$name}.");
+            write_config(sprintf('Deleted CRL %s', $name));
             header("Location: system_crlmanager.php");
             exit;
         }
@@ -181,11 +181,11 @@ if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'GET') {
         $name = $thiscert['descr'];
         if (cert_unrevoke($thiscert, $thiscrl)) {
             openvpn_refresh_crls();
-            write_config(sprintf(gettext("Deleted Certificate %s from CRL %s"), $name, $thiscrl['descr']));
+            write_config(sprintf('Deleted certificate %s from CRL %s', $name, $thiscrl['descr']));
             header("Location: system_crlmanager.php");
             exit;
         } else {
-            $savemsg = sprintf(gettext("Failed to delete Certificate %s from CRL %s"), $name, $thiscrl['descr']) . "<br />";
+            $savemsg = sprintf(gettext("Failed to delete certificate %s from CRL %s"), $name, $thiscrl['descr']) . "<br />";
         }
         $act="edit";
     } elseif ($act == "addcert") {
@@ -214,7 +214,7 @@ if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'GET') {
             $reason = (empty($pconfig['crlreason'])) ? OCSP_REVOKED_STATUS_UNSPECIFIED : $pconfig['crlreason'];
             cert_revoke($cert, $crl, $reason);
             openvpn_refresh_crls();
-            write_config("Revoked cert {$cert['descr']} in CRL {$crl['descr']}.");
+            write_config(sprintf('Revoked certificate %s in CRL %s', $cert['descr'], $crl['descr']));
             header("Location: system_crlmanager.php");
             exit;
         }
@@ -269,7 +269,7 @@ if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'GET') {
                 $a_crl[] = $crl;
             }
 
-            write_config("Saved CRL {$crl['descr']}");
+            write_config(sprintf('Saved CRL %s', $crl['descr']));
             openvpn_refresh_crls();
             header("Location: system_crlmanager.php");
             exit;
diff --git a/src/www/vpn_ipsec_keys.php b/src/www/vpn_ipsec_keys.php
index 6c2725a67..835e4dee3 100644
--- a/src/www/vpn_ipsec_keys.php
+++ b/src/www/vpn_ipsec_keys.php
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'POST') {
         // delete entry
         if (isset($config['ipsec']['mobilekey'][$_POST['id']])) {
             unset($config['ipsec']['mobilekey'][$_POST['id']]);
-            write_config(gettext("Deleted IPsec Pre-Shared Key"));
+            write_config('Deleted pre-shared IPsec key');
             mark_subsystem_dirty('ipsec');
             header("Location: vpn_ipsec_keys.php");
             exit;