diff --git a/cmd/tools/vbug.v b/cmd/tools/vbug.v
index 9f9fedcca4..4d91cb6e6c 100644
--- a/cmd/tools/vbug.v
+++ b/cmd/tools/vbug.v
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ const vroot = @VMODROOT
 fn get_vdoctor_output(is_verbose bool) string {
 	vexe := os.getenv('VEXE')
 	verbose_flag := if is_verbose { '-v' } else { '' }
-	result := os.execute('$vexe $verbose_flag doctor')
+	result := os.execute('${os.quoted_path(vexe)} $verbose_flag doctor')
 	if result.exit_code != 0 {
 		eprintln('unable to get `v doctor` output: $result.output')
 		return ''
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ fn get_v_build_output(is_verbose bool, is_yes bool, file_path string) string {
 	os.chdir(vroot) or {}
 	verbose_flag := if is_verbose { '-v' } else { '' }
 	vdbg_path := $if windows { '$vroot/vdbg.exe' } $else { '$vroot/vdbg' }
-	vdbg_compilation_cmd := '"$vexe" $verbose_flag -g -o "$vdbg_path" cmd/v'
+	vdbg_compilation_cmd := '${os.quoted_path(vexe)} $verbose_flag -g -o ${os.quoted_path(vdbg_path)} cmd/v'
 	vdbg_result := os.execute(vdbg_compilation_cmd)
 	os.chdir(wd) or {}
 	if vdbg_result.exit_code == 0 {
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ fn get_v_build_output(is_verbose bool, is_yes bool, file_path string) string {
 		eprintln('unable to compile V in debug mode: $vdbg_result.output\ncommand: $vdbg_compilation_cmd\n')
 	}
 	//
-	mut result := os.execute('"$vexe" $verbose_flag "$file_path"')
+	mut result := os.execute('${os.quoted_path(vexe)} $verbose_flag ${os.quoted_path(file_path)}')
 	defer {
 		os.rm(vdbg_path) or {
 			if is_verbose {
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ fn get_v_build_output(is_verbose bool, is_yes bool, file_path string) string {
 		run := is_yes
 			|| ask('It looks like the compilation went well, do you want to run the file?')
 		if run {
-			result = os.execute('"$vexe" $verbose_flag run "$file_path"')
+			result = os.execute('${os.quoted_path(vexe)} $verbose_flag run ${os.quoted_path(file_path)}')
 			if result.exit_code == 0 && !is_yes {
 				confirm_or_exit('It looks like the file ran correctly as well, are you sure you want to continue?')
 			}
diff --git a/cmd/tools/vbump_test.v b/cmd/tools/vbump_test.v
index ad532fde1a..c0b13706fd 100644
--- a/cmd/tools/vbump_test.v
+++ b/cmd/tools/vbump_test.v
@@ -69,22 +69,19 @@ fn run_individual_test(case BumpTestCase) ? {
 
 	os.rm(test_file) or {}
 	os.write_file(test_file, case.contents) ?
+	//
+	os.execute_or_exit('${os.quoted_path(vexe)} bump --patch ${os.quoted_path(test_file)}')
+	patch_lines := os.read_lines(test_file) ?
+	assert patch_lines[case.line] == case.expected_patch
 
-	{
-		os.execute_or_exit('$vexe bump --patch $test_file')
-		patch_lines := os.read_lines(test_file) ?
-		assert patch_lines[case.line] == case.expected_patch
-	}
-	{
-		os.execute_or_exit('$vexe bump --minor $test_file')
-		minor_lines := os.read_lines(test_file) ?
-		assert minor_lines[case.line] == case.expected_minor
-	}
-	{
-		os.execute_or_exit('$vexe bump --major $test_file')
-		major_lines := os.read_lines(test_file) ?
-		assert major_lines[case.line] == case.expected_major
-	}
+	os.execute_or_exit('${os.quoted_path(vexe)} bump --minor ${os.quoted_path(test_file)}')
+	minor_lines := os.read_lines(test_file) ?
+	assert minor_lines[case.line] == case.expected_minor
+
+	os.execute_or_exit('${os.quoted_path(vexe)} bump --major ${os.quoted_path(test_file)}')
+	major_lines := os.read_lines(test_file) ?
+	assert major_lines[case.line] == case.expected_major
+	//
 	os.rm(test_file) ?
 }
 
diff --git a/cmd/tools/vcreate_test.v b/cmd/tools/vcreate_test.v
index 1f6eb7a98a..fc746aee55 100644
--- a/cmd/tools/vcreate_test.v
+++ b/cmd/tools/vcreate_test.v
@@ -3,8 +3,7 @@ import os
 const test_path = 'vcreate_test'
 
 fn init_and_check() ? {
-	vexe := @VEXE
-	os.execute_or_exit('$vexe init')
+	os.execute_or_exit('${os.quoted_path(@VEXE)} init')
 
 	assert os.read_file('vcreate_test.v') ? == [
 		'module main\n',
@@ -92,8 +91,7 @@ fn test_v_init_no_overwrite_gitignore() ? {
 	}
 	os.chdir(dir) ?
 
-	vexe := @VEXE
-	os.execute_or_exit('$vexe init')
+	os.execute_or_exit('${os.quoted_path(@VEXE)} init')
 
 	assert os.read_file('.gitignore') ? == 'blah'
 }
@@ -121,8 +119,7 @@ indent_size = 4
 	}
 	os.chdir(dir) ?
 
-	vexe := @VEXE
-	os.execute_or_exit('$vexe init')
+	os.execute_or_exit('${os.quoted_path(@VEXE)} init')
 
 	assert os.read_file('.gitattributes') ? == git_attributes_content
 	assert os.read_file('.editorconfig') ? == editor_config_content
diff --git a/cmd/tools/vdoc/tests/vdoc_file_test.v b/cmd/tools/vdoc/tests/vdoc_file_test.v
index 254337cb4b..1e92605bc5 100644
--- a/cmd/tools/vdoc/tests/vdoc_file_test.v
+++ b/cmd/tools/vdoc/tests/vdoc_file_test.v
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ fn check_path(vexe string, dir string, tests []string) int {
 	for path in paths {
 		program := path
 		print(path + ' ')
-		res := os.execute('$vexe doc $program')
+		res := os.execute('${os.quoted_path(vexe)} doc ${os.quoted_path(program)}')
 		if res.exit_code < 0 {
 			panic(res.output)
 		}
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ fn check_path(vexe string, dir string, tests []string) int {
 			print_compare(expected, found)
 		}
 
-		res_comments := os.execute('$vexe doc -comments $program')
+		res_comments := os.execute('${os.quoted_path(vexe)} doc -comments ${os.quoted_path(program)}')
 		if res_comments.exit_code < 0 {
 			panic(res_comments.output)
 		}
diff --git a/cmd/tools/vdoc/vdoc.v b/cmd/tools/vdoc/vdoc.v
index 5cabe6a7fd..aaa85243c1 100644
--- a/cmd/tools/vdoc/vdoc.v
+++ b/cmd/tools/vdoc/vdoc.v
@@ -505,7 +505,7 @@ fn parse_arguments(args []string) Config {
 fn main() {
 	if os.args.len < 2 || '-h' in os.args || '-help' in os.args || '--help' in os.args
 		|| os.args[1..] == ['doc', 'help'] {
-		os.system('$vexe help doc')
+		os.system('${os.quoted_path(vexe)} help doc')
 		exit(0)
 	}
 	args := os.args[2..].clone()
diff --git a/cmd/tools/vfmt.v b/cmd/tools/vfmt.v
index cc839002fd..9390dd23a7 100644
--- a/cmd/tools/vfmt.v
+++ b/cmd/tools/vfmt.v
@@ -92,7 +92,11 @@ fn main() {
 		exit(0)
 	}
 	mut cli_args_no_files := []string{}
-	for a in os.args {
+	for idx, a in os.args {
+		if idx == 0 {
+			cli_args_no_files << os.quoted_path(a)
+			continue
+		}
 		if a !in files {
 			cli_args_no_files << a
 		}
diff --git a/cmd/tools/vrepl.v b/cmd/tools/vrepl.v
index 98c231d1d3..99847d1034 100644
--- a/cmd/tools/vrepl.v
+++ b/cmd/tools/vrepl.v
@@ -381,7 +381,7 @@ fn repl_run_vfile(file string) ?os.Result {
 	$if trace_repl_temp_files ? {
 		eprintln('>> repl_run_vfile file: $file')
 	}
-	s := os.execute('"$vexe" -repl run "$file"')
+	s := os.execute('${os.quoted_path(vexe)} -repl run ${os.quoted_path(file)}')
 	if s.exit_code < 0 {
 		rerror(s.output)
 		return error(s.output)
diff --git a/cmd/tools/vself.v b/cmd/tools/vself.v
index ea5f27cf54..6f6f8f0991 100644
--- a/cmd/tools/vself.v
+++ b/cmd/tools/vself.v
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ fn main() {
 	jargs := args.join(' ')
 	obinary := cmdline.option(args, '-o', '')
 	sargs := if obinary != '' { jargs } else { '$jargs -o v2' }
-	cmd := '$vexe $sargs cmd/v'
+	cmd := '${os.quoted_path(vexe)} $sargs ${os.quoted_path('cmd/v')}'
 	options := if args.len > 0 { '($sargs)' } else { '' }
 	println('V self compiling ${options}...')
 	compile(vroot, cmd)
diff --git a/cmd/tools/vtracev.v b/cmd/tools/vtracev.v
index 0a255ad88d..8fb32ce32f 100644
--- a/cmd/tools/vtracev.v
+++ b/cmd/tools/vtracev.v
@@ -13,5 +13,5 @@ fn main() {
 	args_str := args.join(' ')
 	options := if args.len > 0 { '($args_str)' } else { '' }
 	println('Compiling a `tracev` executable ${options}...')
-	os.system('"$vexe" -cg -d trace_parser -d trace_checker -d trace_gen -o tracev $args_str cmd/v')
+	os.system('${os.quoted_path(vexe)} -cg -d trace_parser -d trace_checker -d trace_gen -o tracev $args_str cmd/v')
 }
diff --git a/cmd/tools/vup.v b/cmd/tools/vup.v
index 8c7e9605a5..7b2157b627 100644
--- a/cmd/tools/vup.v
+++ b/cmd/tools/vup.v
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ fn (app App) update_from_master() {
 fn (app App) recompile_v() {
 	// NB: app.vexe is more reliable than just v (which may be a symlink)
 	opts := if app.is_prod { '-prod' } else { '' }
-	vself := '"$app.vexe" $opts self'
+	vself := '${os.quoted_path(app.vexe)} $opts self'
 	app.vprintln('> recompiling v itself with `$vself` ...')
 	self_result := os.execute(vself)
 	if self_result.exit_code == 0 {
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ fn (app App) recompile_v() {
 }
 
 fn (app App) recompile_vup() {
-	vup_result := os.execute('"$app.vexe" -g cmd/tools/vup.v')
+	vup_result := os.execute('${os.quoted_path(app.vexe)} -g cmd/tools/vup.v')
 	if vup_result.exit_code != 0 {
 		eprintln('recompiling vup.v failed:')
 		eprintln(vup_result.output)
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ fn (app App) make(vself string) {
 }
 
 fn (app App) show_current_v_version() {
-	vout := os.execute('"$app.vexe" version')
+	vout := os.execute('${os.quoted_path(app.vexe)} version')
 	if vout.exit_code >= 0 {
 		mut vversion := vout.output.trim_space()
 		if vout.exit_code == 0 {
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ fn (app App) get_git() {
 			eprintln('Unable to install git automatically: please install git manually')
 			panic(res_download.output)
 		}
-		res_git32 := os.execute('$os.getwd()/git32.exe')
+		res_git32 := os.execute(os.quoted_path(os.join_path_single(os.getwd(), 'git32.exe')))
 		if res_git32.exit_code != 0 {
 			eprintln('Unable to install git automatically: please install git manually')
 			panic(res_git32.output)
diff --git a/cmd/tools/vvet/vet_test.v b/cmd/tools/vvet/vet_test.v
index f2c8523370..c46e0de525 100644
--- a/cmd/tools/vvet/vet_test.v
+++ b/cmd/tools/vvet/vet_test.v
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ fn check_path(vexe string, dir string, tests []string) int {
 		program := path
 		print(path + ' ')
 		// -force is needed so that `v vet` would not skip the regression files
-		res := os.execute('$vexe vet -force -nocolor $program')
+		res := os.execute('${os.quoted_path(vexe)} vet -force -nocolor ${os.quoted_path(program)}')
 		if res.exit_code < 0 {
 			panic(res.output)
 		}
diff --git a/cmd/v/help/help_test.v b/cmd/v/help/help_test.v
index ac395b6577..d12f3d08a8 100644
--- a/cmd/v/help/help_test.v
+++ b/cmd/v/help/help_test.v
@@ -1,22 +1,21 @@
 import os
 
+const vexe = os.getenv('VEXE')
+
 fn test_help() {
-	vexe := os.getenv('VEXE')
-	res := os.execute('"$vexe" help')
+	res := os.execute('${os.quoted_path(vexe)} help')
 	assert res.exit_code == 0
 	assert res.output.starts_with('V is a tool for managing V source code.')
 }
 
 fn test_help_as_short_option() {
-	vexe := os.getenv('VEXE')
-	res := os.execute('"$vexe" -h')
+	res := os.execute('${os.quoted_path(vexe)} -h')
 	assert res.exit_code == 0
 	assert res.output.starts_with('V is a tool for managing V source code.')
 }
 
 fn test_help_as_long_option() {
-	vexe := os.getenv('VEXE')
-	res := os.execute('"$vexe" --help')
+	res := os.execute('${os.quoted_path(vexe)} --help')
 	assert res.exit_code == 0
 	assert res.output.starts_with('V is a tool for managing V source code.')
 }
diff --git a/doc/docs.md b/doc/docs.md
index bbbec48ae3..4c9ef7fb4e 100644
--- a/doc/docs.md
+++ b/doc/docs.md
@@ -3803,7 +3803,7 @@ file, can easily run *other* test files like this:
 import os
 
 fn test_subtest() {
-	res := os.execute('${@VEXE} other_test.v')
+	res := os.execute('${os.quoted_path(@VEXE)} other_test.v')
 	assert res.exit_code == 1
 	assert res.output.contains('other_test.v does not exist')
 }
diff --git a/thirdparty/stdatomic/nix/cpp/gen.v b/thirdparty/stdatomic/nix/cpp/gen.v
index 317d27c937..1ef52022b3 100644
--- a/thirdparty/stdatomic/nix/cpp/gen.v
+++ b/thirdparty/stdatomic/nix/cpp/gen.v
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ fn main() {
 		exit(1)
 	}
 	cc := os.args[1]
-	if os.execute('$cc -v').exit_code != 0 {
+	if os.execute('${os.quoted_path(cc)} -v').exit_code != 0 {
 		eprintln('please specify a valid C++ compiler')
 		exit(1)
 	}
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ fn get_cc_info(cc string) (string, string, string) {
 		'none'
 	}
 
-	lines := os.execute('$cc -v').output.split('\n')
+	lines := os.execute('${os.quoted_path(cc)} -v').output.split('\n')
 
 	// gcc and clang both have the same way way to say what version they have and what the host target triple is
 	cc_version := lines.filter(it.contains('$cc_type version '))[0].all_after('$cc_type version ').all_before('.')
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ fn get_cc_info(cc string) (string, string, string) {
 }
 
 fn get_search_paths(cc string) []string {
-	result := os.execute('$cc -v -x c++ /dev/null').output
+	result := os.execute('${os.quoted_path(cc)} -v -x c++ /dev/null').output
 	lines := result.split('\n')
 	search_path := lines[lines.index('#include <...> search starts here:') + 1..lines.index('End of search list.')]
 	return search_path.map(os.real_path(it.all_before('(').trim_space()))
diff --git a/vlib/flag/default_flag_options_test.v b/vlib/flag/default_flag_options_test.v
index 7cf37d48bf..6efcec929b 100644
--- a/vlib/flag/default_flag_options_test.v
+++ b/vlib/flag/default_flag_options_test.v
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ const simple_flag_app_executable = os.real_path(os.join_path(os.cache_dir(), 'si
 fn testsuite_begin() {
 	os.chdir(@VMODROOT) or {}
 	os.rm(simple_flag_app_executable) or {}
-	res := os.execute('${@VEXE} -o $simple_flag_app_executable $source')
+	res := os.execute('${os.quoted_path(@VEXE)} -o ${os.quoted_path(simple_flag_app_executable)} ${os.quoted_path(source)}')
 	assert res.exit_code == 0
 	assert os.execute(simple_flag_app_executable).exit_code == 0
 }
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ fn testsuite_end() {
 
 fn check_program(opts string, extension string) {
 	result := source.replace('.v', extension)
-	res := os.execute('$simple_flag_app_executable $opts')
+	res := os.execute('${os.quoted_path(simple_flag_app_executable)} $opts')
 	lines := os.read_lines(result) or { panic(err) }
 	assert res.exit_code == 0
 	assert res.output.split_into_lines() == lines
diff --git a/vlib/flag/usage_example_test.v b/vlib/flag/usage_example_test.v
index 0f6c35304d..5e63e6a846 100644
--- a/vlib/flag/usage_example_test.v
+++ b/vlib/flag/usage_example_test.v
@@ -7,9 +7,9 @@ const the_executable = os.real_path(os.join_path(os.cache_dir(), 'flag_usage_exa
 fn testsuite_begin() {
 	os.chdir(@VMODROOT) or {}
 	os.rm(the_executable) or {}
-	res := os.execute('${@VEXE} -o $the_executable $the_source')
+	res := os.execute('${os.quoted_path(@VEXE)} -o ${os.quoted_path(the_executable)} ${os.quoted_path(the_source)}')
 	assert res.exit_code == 0
-	assert os.execute(the_executable).exit_code == 0
+	assert os.execute(os.quoted_path(the_executable)).exit_code == 0
 	C.atexit(fn () {
 		os.rm(the_executable) or {}
 	})
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ fn normalise_lines(lines []string) string {
 
 fn check_program(opts string, extension string) {
 	result := the_source.replace('.v', extension)
-	res := os.execute('$the_executable $opts')
+	res := os.execute('${os.quoted_path(the_executable)} $opts')
 	assert res.exit_code == 0
 	assert normalise_lines(res.output.split_into_lines()) == normalise_lines(os.read_lines(result) or {
 		panic(err)
diff --git a/vlib/os/os.v b/vlib/os/os.v
index 38c8b3b8f3..d51f863fef 100644
--- a/vlib/os/os.v
+++ b/vlib/os/os.v
@@ -745,3 +745,12 @@ pub fn execute_or_exit(cmd string) Result {
 	}
 	return res
 }
+
+// quoted path - return a quoted version of the path, depending on the platform.
+pub fn quoted_path(path string) string {
+	$if windows {
+		return '"$path"'
+	} $else {
+		return "'$path'"
+	}
+}
diff --git a/vlib/os/os_test.v b/vlib/os/os_test.v
index b9689e6ffc..7d18a6a3f8 100644
--- a/vlib/os/os_test.v
+++ b/vlib/os/os_test.v
@@ -851,7 +851,7 @@ fn test_execute() ? {
 	defer {
 		os.rm(print0script) or {}
 	}
-	result := os.execute('"' + @VEXE + '" run "$print0script"')
+	result := os.execute('${os.quoted_path(@VEXE)} run ${os.quoted_path(print0script)}')
 	hexresult := result.output.bytes().hex()
 	// println('exit_code: $result.exit_code')
 	// println('output: |$result.output|')
diff --git a/vlib/os/process_test.v b/vlib/os/process_test.v
index 5257eb67ef..d7c5436bba 100644
--- a/vlib/os/process_test.v
+++ b/vlib/os/process_test.v
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ fn testsuite_begin() ? {
 		//   WINE_TEST_OS_PROCESS_EXE=x.exe ./v -os windows vlib/os/process_test.v
 		os.cp(os.getenv('WINE_TEST_OS_PROCESS_EXE'), test_os_process) ?
 	} else {
-		os.system('$vexe -o $test_os_process $test_os_process_source')
+		os.system('${os.quoted_path(vexe)} -o ${os.quoted_path(test_os_process)} ${os.quoted_path(test_os_process_source)}')
 	}
 	assert os.exists(test_os_process)
 }
diff --git a/vlib/v/builder/cc.v b/vlib/v/builder/cc.v
index 0eb0ee9c69..6910fce2c0 100644
--- a/vlib/v/builder/cc.v
+++ b/vlib/v/builder/cc.v
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ pub fn (mut v Builder) find_win_cc() ? {
 	$if !windows {
 		return
 	}
-	ccompiler_version_res := os.execute('$v.pref.ccompiler -v')
+	ccompiler_version_res := os.execute('${os.quoted_path(v.pref.ccompiler)} -v')
 	if ccompiler_version_res.exit_code != 0 {
 		if v.pref.is_verbose {
 			println('$v.pref.ccompiler not found, looking for msvc...')
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ pub fn (mut v Builder) find_win_cc() ? {
 			}
 			vpath := os.dir(pref.vexe_path())
 			thirdparty_tcc := os.join_path(vpath, 'thirdparty', 'tcc', 'tcc.exe')
-			tcc_version_res := os.execute('$thirdparty_tcc -v')
+			tcc_version_res := os.execute('${os.quoted_path(thirdparty_tcc)} -v')
 			if tcc_version_res.exit_code != 0 {
 				if v.pref.is_verbose {
 					println('tcc not found')
@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ fn (mut v Builder) setup_ccompiler_options(ccompiler string) {
 	ccoptions.guessed_compiler = v.pref.ccompiler
 	if ccoptions.guessed_compiler == 'cc' && v.pref.is_prod {
 		// deliberately guessing only for -prod builds for performance reasons
-		ccversion := os.execute('cc --version')
+		ccversion := os.execute('${os.quoted_path('cc')} --version')
 		if ccversion.exit_code == 0 {
 			if ccversion.output.contains('This is free software;')
 				&& ccversion.output.contains('Free Software Foundation, Inc.') {
@@ -548,7 +548,8 @@ pub fn (mut v Builder) cc() {
 						$if trace_stdatomic_gen ? {
 							eprintln('> creating $cpp_atomic_h_path ...')
 						}
-						os.execute('$vexe run ${@VEXEROOT}/thirdparty/stdatomic/nix/cpp/gen.v $ccompiler')
+						cppgenv := '${@VEXEROOT}/thirdparty/stdatomic/nix/cpp/gen.v'
+						os.execute('${os.quoted_path(vexe)} run ${os.quoted_path(cppgenv)} ${os.quoted_path(ccompiler)}')
 						break
 					}
 				}
@@ -566,13 +567,14 @@ pub fn (mut v Builder) cc() {
 		all_args := v.all_args(v.ccoptions)
 		v.dump_c_options(all_args)
 		str_args := all_args.join(' ')
-		mut cmd := '$ccompiler $str_args'
+		mut cmd := '${os.quoted_path(ccompiler)} $str_args'
 		mut response_file := ''
 		mut response_file_content := str_args
 		if !v.pref.no_rsp {
 			response_file = '${v.out_name_c}.rsp'
 			response_file_content = str_args.replace('\\', '\\\\')
-			cmd = '$ccompiler "@$response_file"'
+			rspexpr := '@$response_file'
+			cmd = '${os.quoted_path(ccompiler)} ${os.quoted_path(rspexpr)}'
 			os.write_file(response_file, response_file_content) or {
 				verror('Unable to write to C response file "$response_file"')
 			}
@@ -729,7 +731,7 @@ fn (mut b Builder) cc_linux_cross() {
 	cc_args << '-c "$b.out_name_c"'
 	cc_args << libs
 	b.dump_c_options(cc_args)
-	cc_cmd := 'cc ' + cc_args.join(' ')
+	cc_cmd := '${os.quoted_path('cc')} ' + cc_args.join(' ')
 	if b.pref.show_cc {
 		println(cc_cmd)
 	}
@@ -747,7 +749,8 @@ fn (mut b Builder) cc_linux_cross() {
 	linker_args << cflags.c_options_only_object_files()
 	// -ldl
 	b.dump_c_options(linker_args)
-	linker_cmd := '$sysroot/ld.lld ' + linker_args.join(' ')
+	ldlld := '$sysroot/ld.lld'
+	linker_cmd := '${os.quoted_path(ldlld)} ' + linker_args.join(' ')
 	// s = s.replace('SYSROOT', sysroot) // TODO $ inter bug
 	// s = s.replace('-o hi', '-o ' + c.pref.out_name)
 	if b.pref.show_cc {
@@ -914,10 +917,11 @@ fn (mut v Builder) build_thirdparty_obj_file(path string, moduleflags []cflag.CF
 	mut all_options := []string{}
 	all_options << v.pref.third_party_option
 	all_options << moduleflags.c_options_before_target()
-	all_options << '-o "$opath"'
-	all_options << '-c "$cfile"'
+	all_options << '-o ${os.quoted_path(opath)}'
+	all_options << '-c ${os.quoted_path(cfile)}'
 	cc_options := v.thirdparty_object_args(v.ccoptions, all_options).join(' ')
-	cmd := '$v.pref.ccompiler $cc_options'
+
+	cmd := '${os.quoted_path(v.pref.ccompiler)} $cc_options'
 	$if trace_thirdparty_obj_files ? {
 		println('>>> build_thirdparty_obj_files cmd: $cmd')
 	}
diff --git a/vlib/v/builder/interpreterbuilder/v_interpret_test.v b/vlib/v/builder/interpreterbuilder/v_interpret_test.v
index 131982908f..eb6c4e4d27 100644
--- a/vlib/v/builder/interpreterbuilder/v_interpret_test.v
+++ b/vlib/v/builder/interpreterbuilder/v_interpret_test.v
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ fn interp_test(expression string, expected string) ? {
 	tmpfile := os.join_path(tmpdir, 'input.v')
 	outfile := os.join_path(tmpdir, 'output.txt')
 	os.write_file(tmpfile, interpreter_wrap(expression)) ?
-	if os.system('"$vexe" interpret $tmpfile > $outfile') != 0 {
+	if os.system('${os.quoted_path(vexe)} interpret ${os.quoted_path(tmpfile)} > ${os.quoted_path(outfile)}') != 0 {
 		eprintln('>>> Failed to interpret V expression: |$expression|')
 		return error('v interp')
 	}
diff --git a/vlib/v/eval/gen/infix_gen.v b/vlib/v/eval/gen/infix_gen.v
index 076337ce6e..9b42191054 100644
--- a/vlib/v/eval/gen/infix_gen.v
+++ b/vlib/v/eval/gen/infix_gen.v
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ fn main() {
 
 	path := @FILE.all_before(@FILE.all_after_last('/')) + '../infix.v'
 	os.write_file(path, b.str()) or { panic(err) }
-	res := os.execute(@VEXE + ' fmt -w ' + path)
+	res := os.execute(os.quoted_path(@VEXE) + ' fmt -w ' + os.quoted_path(path))
 	if res.exit_code != 0 {
 		eprintln('v fmt failed!')
 		panic(res.output)
diff --git a/vlib/v/fmt/fmt_keep_test.v b/vlib/v/fmt/fmt_keep_test.v
index 840fdd61ff..8ee69a7dcf 100644
--- a/vlib/v/fmt/fmt_keep_test.v
+++ b/vlib/v/fmt/fmt_keep_test.v
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ fn write_bin2v_keep_content() ? {
 	img0 := os.join_path('vlib', 'v', 'embed_file', 'tests', 'v.png')
 	img1 := os.join_path('tutorials', 'building_a_simple_web_blog_with_vweb', 'img', 'time.png')
 	os.rm(b2v_keep_path) ?
-	res := os.execute('$vexe bin2v -w $b2v_keep_path $img0 $img1')
+	res := os.execute('${os.quoted_path(vexe)} bin2v -w ${os.quoted_path(b2v_keep_path)} ${os.quoted_path(img0)} ${os.quoted_path(img1)}')
 	if res.exit_code != 0 {
 		restore_bin2v_placeholder() or {}
 		return error_with_code(res.output.trim_space(), res.exit_code)
diff --git a/vlib/v/gen/c/coutput_test.v b/vlib/v/gen/c/coutput_test.v
index 214971415a..8436773b15 100644
--- a/vlib/v/gen/c/coutput_test.v
+++ b/vlib/v/gen/c/coutput_test.v
@@ -39,12 +39,12 @@ fn test_out_files() ? {
 		pexe := os.join_path(output_path, '${basename}.exe')
 		//
 		file_options := get_file_options(path)
-		alloptions := '-o "$pexe" $file_options.vflags'
+		alloptions := '-o ${os.quoted_path(pexe)} $file_options.vflags'
 		print(mm('v $alloptions run $relpath') + ' == ${mm(out_relpath)} ')
 		//
-		compilation := os.execute('"$vexe" $alloptions "$path"')
+		compilation := os.execute('${os.quoted_path(vexe)} $alloptions ${os.quoted_path(path)}')
 		ensure_compilation_succeeded(compilation)
-		res := os.execute(pexe)
+		res := os.execute(os.quoted_path(pexe))
 		if res.exit_code < 0 {
 			println('nope')
 			panic(res.output)
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ fn test_c_must_have_files() ? {
 		description := mm('v $alloptions $relpath') +
 			' matches all line patterns in ${mm(must_have_relpath)} '
 		print(description)
-		cmd := '$vexe $alloptions $path'
+		cmd := '${os.quoted_path(vexe)} $alloptions ${os.quoted_path(path)}'
 		compilation := os.execute(cmd)
 		ensure_compilation_succeeded(compilation)
 		expected_lines := os.read_lines(must_have_path) or { [] }
diff --git a/vlib/v/gen/c/embed.v b/vlib/v/gen/c/embed.v
index 0afd2ca497..0bbb42cb9f 100644
--- a/vlib/v/gen/c/embed.v
+++ b/vlib/v/gen/c/embed.v
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ fn (mut g Gen) gen_embed_file_init(mut node ast.ComptimeCall) {
 			cache_path := os.join_path(cache_dir, cache_key)
 
 			vexe := pref.vexe_path()
-			result := os.execute('"$vexe" compress $node.embed_file.compression_type "$node.embed_file.apath" "$cache_path"')
+			result := os.execute('${os.quoted_path(vexe)} compress $node.embed_file.compression_type ${os.quoted_path(node.embed_file.apath)} ${os.quoted_path(cache_path)}')
 			if result.exit_code != 0 {
 				eprintln('unable to compress file "$node.embed_file.rpath": $result.output')
 				node.embed_file.bytes = file_bytes
diff --git a/vlib/v/gen/js/jsgen_test.v b/vlib/v/gen/js/jsgen_test.v
index d3033e0002..c2b74b5a34 100644
--- a/vlib/v/gen/js/jsgen_test.v
+++ b/vlib/v/gen/js/jsgen_test.v
@@ -33,7 +33,8 @@ fn test_example_compilation() {
 			println('add node option: --enable-source-maps') // requieres node >=12.12.0
 			node_options_file += ' --enable-source-maps' // activate souremap generation
 		}
-		v_code := os.system('$vexe $v_options_file -o $output_dir${file}.js $path')
+		jsfile := os.join_path_single(output_dir, '${file}.js')
+		v_code := os.system('${os.quoted_path(vexe)} $v_options_file -o ${os.quoted_path(jsfile)} ${os.quoted_path(path)}')
 		if v_code != 0 {
 			assert false
 		}
@@ -43,7 +44,7 @@ fn test_example_compilation() {
 			println(' ... skipping running $file, there is no NodeJS present')
 			continue
 		}
-		js_code := os.system('node $output_dir${file}.js')
+		js_code := os.system('node ${os.quoted_path(jsfile)}')
 		if js_code != 0 {
 			assert false
 		}
@@ -51,7 +52,7 @@ fn test_example_compilation() {
 		assert js_code == 0
 		if should_create_source_map {
 			if there_is_grep_available {
-				grep_code_sourcemap_found := os.system('grep -q -E "//#\\ssourceMappingURL=data:application/json;base64,[-A-Za-z0-9+/=]+$" $output_dir${file}.js')
+				grep_code_sourcemap_found := os.system('grep -q -E "//#\\ssourceMappingURL=data:application/json;base64,[-A-Za-z0-9+/=]+$" ${os.quoted_path(jsfile)}')
 				assert grep_code_sourcemap_found == 0
 				println('file has a source map embeded')
 			} else {
diff --git a/vlib/v/gen/js/program_test.v b/vlib/v/gen/js/program_test.v
index 9682732e6c..b44c3caf7a 100644
--- a/vlib/v/gen/js/program_test.v
+++ b/vlib/v/gen/js/program_test.v
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ fn check_path(dir string, tests []string) ?int {
 			os.write_file(program_out, '') ?
 		}
 		print(program + ' ')
-		res := os.execute('$vexe -b js_node run $program')
+		res := os.execute('${os.quoted_path(vexe)} -b js_node run ${os.quoted_path(program)}')
 		if res.exit_code < 0 {
 			panic(res.output)
 		}
diff --git a/vlib/v/live/live_test.v b/vlib/v/live/live_test.v
index ab7a80f65d..c169ba41eb 100644
--- a/vlib/v/live/live_test.v
+++ b/vlib/v/live/live_test.v
@@ -151,9 +151,9 @@ fn setup_cycles_environment() {
 fn test_live_program_can_be_compiled() {
 	setup_cycles_environment()
 	eprintln('Compiling...')
-	os.system('$vexe -nocolor -live -o $genexe_file $source_file')
+	os.system('${os.quoted_path(vexe)} -nocolor -live -o ${os.quoted_path(genexe_file)} ${os.quoted_path(source_file)}')
 	//
-	cmd := '$genexe_file > /dev/null &'
+	cmd := '${os.quoted_path(genexe_file)} > /dev/null &'
 	eprintln('Running with: $cmd')
 	res := os.system(cmd)
 	assert res == 0
diff --git a/vlib/v/pref/options_test.v b/vlib/v/pref/options_test.v
index 28ccf882b8..fbfd635f3d 100644
--- a/vlib/v/pref/options_test.v
+++ b/vlib/v/pref/options_test.v
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ fn custom_compile(fname string, cflags_options string) Results {
 	mut res := Results{}
 	res.exe = os.join_path(os.temp_dir(), fname)
 	res.sw = time.new_stopwatch()
-	res.compilation = os.execute('"$vexe" -cflags "$cflags_options" -o "$res.exe" examples/hello_world.v')
+	res.compilation = os.execute('${os.quoted_path(vexe)} -cflags "$cflags_options" -o ${os.quoted_path(res.exe)} examples/hello_world.v')
 	res.delta = res.sw.elapsed().microseconds()
 	res.file_size = os.file_size(res.exe)
 	println('> $fname build took: $res.delta ms with "$cflags_options", file size: $res.file_size')
diff --git a/vlib/v/tests/closure_generator_test.v b/vlib/v/tests/closure_generator_test.v
index 5df56753d9..637f817447 100644
--- a/vlib/v/tests/closure_generator_test.v
+++ b/vlib/v/tests/closure_generator_test.v
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ fn test_closure_return_${styp}_${i}() ? {
 	os.chdir(wrkdir) ?
 	os.write_file('closure_return_test.v', code) ?
 	vexe := os.getenv('VEXE')
-	res := os.execute('"$vexe" -keepc -cg -showcc closure_return_test.v')
+	res := os.execute('${os.quoted_path(vexe)} -keepc -cg -showcc closure_return_test.v')
 	if res.exit_code != 0 {
 		eprintln(res.output)
 		assert false
diff --git a/vlib/v/tests/create_dll/create_win_dll_test.v b/vlib/v/tests/create_dll/create_win_dll_test.v
index 0c359dabce..b0db5e4ef0 100644
--- a/vlib/v/tests/create_dll/create_win_dll_test.v
+++ b/vlib/v/tests/create_dll/create_win_dll_test.v
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ fn run_test(cc_used string) {
 		else { '' }
 	}
 
-	assert os.system('"${@VEXE}" $cc_flag -o create_win_${cc_used}.dll -shared create_win_dll.v') == 0
+	assert os.system('${os.quoted_path(@VEXE)} $cc_flag -o create_win_${cc_used}.dll -shared create_win_dll.v') == 0
 	assert os.exists('create_win_${cc_used}.dll')
 	handle := dl.open('create_win_${cc_used}.dll', 0)
 	assert handle != 0
diff --git a/vlib/v/tests/failing_tests_test.v b/vlib/v/tests/failing_tests_test.v
index ec23e047ed..68d44a284d 100644
--- a/vlib/v/tests/failing_tests_test.v
+++ b/vlib/v/tests/failing_tests_test.v
@@ -5,7 +5,9 @@ fn vroot_path(relpath string) string {
 }
 
 fn vexecute(relpath string) os.Result {
-	return os.execute('${@VEXE} -test-runner normal ' + vroot_path(relpath))
+	vexe := @VEXE
+	return os.execute('${os.quoted_path(vexe)} -test-runner normal ' +
+		os.quoted_path(vroot_path(relpath)))
 }
 
 fn testsuite_begin() {
diff --git a/vlib/v/tests/inout/compiler_test.v b/vlib/v/tests/inout/compiler_test.v
index 140dfd7bd7..2ddb56ecfb 100644
--- a/vlib/v/tests/inout/compiler_test.v
+++ b/vlib/v/tests/inout/compiler_test.v
@@ -26,26 +26,27 @@ fn test_all() {
 	for path in paths {
 		print(path + ' ')
 		program := path
-		compilation := os.execute('$vexe -o test -cflags "-w" -cg $program')
+		tname := rand.ulid()
+		compilation := os.execute('${os.quoted_path(vexe)} -o $tname -cflags "-w" -cg ${os.quoted_path(program)}')
 		if compilation.exit_code < 0 {
 			panic(compilation.output)
 		}
 		if compilation.exit_code != 0 {
 			panic('compilation failed: $compilation.output')
 		}
-		res := os.execute('./test')
+		res := os.execute('./$tname')
 		if res.exit_code < 0 {
 			println('nope')
 			panic(res.output)
 		}
 		$if windows {
-			os.rm('./test.exe') or {}
+			os.rm('./${tname}.exe') or {}
 			$if msvc {
-				os.rm('./test.ilk') or {}
-				os.rm('./test.pdb') or {}
+				os.rm('./${tname}.ilk') or {}
+				os.rm('./${tname}.pdb') or {}
 			}
 		} $else {
-			os.rm('./test') or {}
+			os.rm('./$tname') or {}
 		}
 		// println('============')
 		// println(res.output)
diff --git a/vlib/v/tests/multiple_paths_in_vmodules/vmodules_overrides_test.v b/vlib/v/tests/multiple_paths_in_vmodules/vmodules_overrides_test.v
index 8af17dad53..e2ed95bc90 100644
--- a/vlib/v/tests/multiple_paths_in_vmodules/vmodules_overrides_test.v
+++ b/vlib/v/tests/multiple_paths_in_vmodules/vmodules_overrides_test.v
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ fn test_vexe_is_set() {
 fn test_compiling_without_vmodules_fails() {
 	os.chdir(vroot) or {}
 	os.setenv('VMODULES', '', true)
-	cmd := '"$vexe" run "$mainvv"'
+	cmd := '${os.quoted_path(vexe)} run ${os.quoted_path(mainvv)}'
 	dump(cmd)
 	res := os.execute(cmd)
 	assert res.exit_code == 1
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ fn test_compiling_with_vmodules_works() {
 	os.chdir(vroot) or {}
 	vmpaths := ['path1', 'path2', 'path3'].map(os.join_path(basepath, it))
 	os.setenv('VMODULES', vmpaths.join(os.path_delimiter), true)
-	res := os.execute('"$vexe" run "$mainvv"')
+	res := os.execute('${os.quoted_path(vexe)} run ${os.quoted_path(mainvv)}')
 	assert res.exit_code == 0
 	assert res.output.trim_space() == "['x', 'y', 'z']"
 }
diff --git a/vlib/v/tests/profile/profile_test.v b/vlib/v/tests/profile/profile_test.v
index 8ef38e74a7..c38bf2e1ba 100644
--- a/vlib/v/tests/profile/profile_test.v
+++ b/vlib/v/tests/profile/profile_test.v
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ fn test_vexe_exists() {
 fn test_v_profile_works() {
 	os.chdir(vroot) or {}
 	program_source := os.join_path(vroot, 'vlib/v/tests/profile/profile_test_1.v')
-	res := os.execute('"$vexe" -profile - run $program_source')
+	res := os.execute('${os.quoted_path(vexe)} -profile - run ${os.quoted_path(program_source)}')
 	// eprintln('res: $res')
 	assert res.exit_code == 0
 	assert res.output.len > 0
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ fn test_v_profile_works() {
 fn test_v_profile_on_off_api_works() {
 	os.chdir(vroot) or {}
 	program_source := os.join_path(vroot, 'vlib/v/tests/profile/profile_test_2.v')
-	res := os.execute('"$vexe" -profile - run $program_source')
+	res := os.execute('${os.quoted_path(vexe)} -profile - run ${os.quoted_path(program_source)}')
 	// eprintln('res: $res')
 	assert res.exit_code == 0
 	assert res.output.len > 0
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ fn test_v_profile_on_off_api_works() {
 	assert abc_count == 1
 
 	// test that `-d no_profile_startup` *also* works:
-	res2 := os.execute('"$vexe" -d no_profile_startup -profile - run $program_source')
+	res2 := os.execute('${os.quoted_path(vexe)} -d no_profile_startup -profile - run ${os.quoted_path(program_source)}')
 	assert res2.exit_code == 0
 	assert res2.output.len > 0
 	assert !res2.output.contains(' builtin_init')
diff --git a/vlib/v/tests/run_project_folders_test.v b/vlib/v/tests/run_project_folders_test.v
index f7c2690f2f..651fb6fa62 100644
--- a/vlib/v/tests/run_project_folders_test.v
+++ b/vlib/v/tests/run_project_folders_test.v
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ fn test_v_profile_works() ? {
 		local_path := folder_path.replace(vroot + os.path_separator, '').replace('\\',
 			'/')
 		println('..... v run $local_path/')
-		res := os.execute('"$vexe" run $folder_path')
+		res := os.execute('${os.quoted_path(vexe)} run ${os.quoted_path(folder_path)}')
 		// eprintln('res: $res')
 		assert res.exit_code == 0
 		assert res.output.len > 0
diff --git a/vlib/v/util/util.v b/vlib/v/util/util.v
index 62df5949cb..c47942b0ad 100644
--- a/vlib/v/util/util.v
+++ b/vlib/v/util/util.v
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ pub fn launch_tool(is_verbose bool, tool_name string, args []string) {
 		for emodule in emodules {
 			check_module_is_installed(emodule, is_verbose) or { panic(err) }
 		}
-		mut compilation_command := '"$vexe" -skip-unused '
+		mut compilation_command := "'$vexe' -skip-unused "
 		if tool_name in ['vself', 'vup', 'vdoctor', 'vsymlink'] {
 			// These tools will be called by users in cases where there
 			// is high chance of there being a problem somewhere. Thus
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ pub fn launch_tool(is_verbose bool, tool_name string, args []string) {
 			// .v line numbers, to ease diagnostic in #bugs and issues.
 			compilation_command += ' -g '
 		}
-		compilation_command += '"$tool_source"'
+		compilation_command += "'$tool_source'"
 		if is_verbose {
 			println('Compiling $tool_name with: "$compilation_command"')
 		}
@@ -178,7 +178,7 @@ pub fn launch_tool(is_verbose bool, tool_name string, args []string) {
 		exit(os.system('"$tool_exe" $tool_args'))
 	} $else $if js {
 		// no way to implement os.execvp in JS backend
-		exit(os.system('"$tool_exe" $tool_args'))
+		exit(os.system('\'$tool_exe\' $tool_args'))
 	} $else {
 		os.execvp(tool_exe, args) or { panic(err) }
 	}
@@ -251,14 +251,7 @@ fn tool_source2name_and_exe(tool_source string) (string, string) {
 }
 
 pub fn quote_path(s string) string {
-	mut qs := s
-	if qs.contains('&') {
-		qs = qs.replace('&', '\\&')
-	}
-	if qs.contains(' ') {
-		return '"$qs"'
-	}
-	return qs
+	return os.quoted_path(s)
 }
 
 pub fn args_quote_paths(args []string) string {
@@ -355,7 +348,7 @@ pub fn check_module_is_installed(modulename string, is_verbose bool) ?bool {
 	}
 	if os.exists(mod_v_file) {
 		vexe := pref.vexe_path()
-		update_cmd := '"$vexe" update "$modulename"'
+		update_cmd := "'$vexe' update '$modulename'"
 		if is_verbose {
 			eprintln('check_module_is_installed: updating with $update_cmd ...')
 		}
@@ -455,7 +448,7 @@ pub fn prepare_tool_when_needed(source_name string) {
 }
 
 pub fn recompile_file(vexe string, file string) {
-	cmd := '$vexe $file'
+	cmd := "'$vexe' '$file'"
 	$if trace_recompilation ? {
 		println('recompilation command: $cmd')
 	}
diff --git a/vlib/vweb/tests/vweb_test.v b/vlib/vweb/tests/vweb_test.v
index 669bd05b5e..c631ddabaf 100644
--- a/vlib/vweb/tests/vweb_test.v
+++ b/vlib/vweb/tests/vweb_test.v
@@ -25,9 +25,9 @@ fn testsuite_begin() {
 }
 
 fn test_a_simple_vweb_app_can_be_compiled() {
-	// did_server_compile := os.system('$vexe -g -o $serverexe vlib/vweb/tests/vweb_test_server.v')
+	// did_server_compile := os.system('${os.quoted_path(vexe)} -g -o ${os.quoted_path(serverexe)} vlib/vweb/tests/vweb_test_server.v')
 	// TODO: find out why it does not compile with -usecache and -g
-	did_server_compile := os.system('$vexe -o $serverexe vlib/vweb/tests/vweb_test_server.v')
+	did_server_compile := os.system('${os.quoted_path(vexe)} -o ${os.quoted_path(serverexe)} vlib/vweb/tests/vweb_test_server.v')
 	assert did_server_compile == 0
 	assert os.exists(serverexe)
 }
@@ -38,9 +38,9 @@ fn test_a_simple_vweb_app_runs_in_the_background() {
 		suffix = ' > /dev/null &'
 	}
 	if vweb_logfile != '' {
-		suffix = ' 2>> $vweb_logfile >> $vweb_logfile &'
+		suffix = ' 2>> ${os.quoted_path(vweb_logfile)} >> ${os.quoted_path(vweb_logfile)} &'
 	}
-	server_exec_cmd := '$serverexe $sport $exit_after_time $suffix'
+	server_exec_cmd := '${os.quoted_path(serverexe)} $sport $exit_after_time $suffix'
 	$if debug_net_socket_client ? {
 		eprintln('running:\n$server_exec_cmd')
 	}