How can Qt Creator be used as general C++ IDE (no usage of Qt library)?

I do it constantly.

You have two options:

1. use qmake project files: to get rid of all the remaining Qt stuff, add these to your project file(s):

   CONFIG -= qt
   DEFINES -= UNICODE QT_LARGEFILE_SUPPORT
   

   Remember that qmake itself is still required to build. So you'll most likely need a Qt installation.

2. use Cmake project files.

Both cases can count on Qt Creator's full support (for files and projects in the left pane). git and svn support in Qt Creator is awesome

I started using Qt Creator recently because I spend more and more time on my 13" laptop and just love the way it utilizes space. Other than that, it is feature-rich, fast, reliable and Qt isn't bad at all. As for C++ only IDE, it is more than welcome in my life.

The only other IDE that I love as much as Qt Creator is Code::Blocks. (I often switch between the two, depending on which machine I use)