How to release pointer from boost::shared_ptr?

Question

Can boost::shared_ptr release the stored pointer without deleting it?

I can see no release function exists in the documentation, also in the FAQ is explained why it

Answer 1

The basis of sharing is trust. If some instance in your program needs to release the raw pointer, it is almost for sure that shared_ptr is the wrong type.

However, recently I wanted to do this too, as I needed to deallocate from a different process-heap. In the end I was taught that my older decision to use some std::shared_ptr was not thought-out.

I just routinely used this type for cleanup. But the pointer was just duplicated on a few places. Actually I needed a std::unique_ptr, which (suprise) has a release function.