Looking inside the Win32 component of Proc::Background it does some pretty dubious manipulations with the program component of its arg(s), including if, -- after it has done some other incomprehensible manipulations -- the length of the command argument is 0, then it wraps that zero length arg in quotes:

      if (length($arg) == 0 or $arg =~ /\s/) {
        $arg = "\"$arg\"";
      }

[download]

None of which bodes well for success.

If all you need is to start a process in the background, a simple:

my $pid = system 1, 'c:/program Files (x86)/vs.exe';

[download]

Does the job.

if( kill $pid, 0 ) { ... will tell you if it is still running.

kill $pid, 3; will terminate it.

waitpid $pid,0; my $retcode = $?; will get the return code.

With the rise and rise of 'Social' network sites: 'Computers are making people easier to use everyday'
Examine what is said, not who speaks -- Silence betokens consent -- Love the truth but pardon error.
"Science is about questioning the status quo. Questioning authority".
In the absence of evidence, opinion is indistinguishable from prejudice.

The start of some sanity?

In reply to Re: Proc::Background does not take file path with spaces by BrowserUk
in thread Proc::Background does not take file path with spaces by dinasour

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