my $file = 'd:/My Documents/xxxl.html';
$file = Win32::GetShortPathName("$file");
system("start $file");
# the above opens $file in the default browser or currently open browser
# the below opens $file in a new copy of iexplore
my $file = 'd:/My Documents/xxxl.html';
my $browser = 'c:/Program Files/Internet Explorer/iexplore.exe';
$browser = Win32::GetShortPathName("$browser");
system("$browser $file");
# or system("start $browser $file");