# split your arguments up (recommended) system("cjpeg.exe","-gr","/program Files/Lego Mindstroms/Image0001.bmp"); # single quote the filepath system("cjpeg.exe -gr '/program Files/Lego Mindstroms/Image0001.bmp' "); #### system('C:\path\to\cjpeg.exe','-gr','C:\program Files\Lego Mindstroms\Image0001.bmp'); #### system('C:/path/to/cjpeg.exe','-gr','C:/program Files/Lego Mindstroms/Image0001.bmp');