diff --git a/tagstudio/src/qt/ts_qt.py b/tagstudio/src/qt/ts_qt.py
index bda97854..fbd05432 100644
--- a/tagstudio/src/qt/ts_qt.py
+++ b/tagstudio/src/qt/ts_qt.py
@@ -69,7 +69,8 @@ def open_file(path: str):
 	try:
 		if sys.platform == "win32":
 			# Windows needs special attention to handle spaces in the file
-			subprocess.Popen(["start", f'"{path.replace('"', '\"')}"'], shell=True, close_fds=True, creationflags=subprocess.DETACHED_PROCESS)
+			# first parameter is for title, NOT filepath
+			subprocess.Popen(["start", "", os.path.normpath(path)], shell=True, close_fds=True, creationflags=subprocess.DETACHED_PROCESS)
 		else:
 			if sys.platform == "darwin":
 				command_name = "open"