diff --git a/test/_common.py b/test/_common.py
index 7c4778860..ccf6d2e59 100644
--- a/test/_common.py
+++ b/test/_common.py
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ import beets.library  # noqa: E402
 from beets import importer, logging  # noqa: E402
 from beets.ui import commands  # noqa: E402
 from beets import util  # noqa: E402
+from beets.util import bytestring_path, syspath  # noqa: E402
 import beets  # noqa: E402
 
 # Make sure the development versions of the plugins are used
@@ -140,11 +141,11 @@ class Assertions:
     """A mixin with additional unit test assertions."""
 
     def assertExists(self, path):  # noqa
-        self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(util.syspath(path)),
+        self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(syspath(path)),
                         f'file does not exist: {path!r}')
 
     def assertNotExists(self, path):  # noqa
-        self.assertFalse(os.path.exists(util.syspath(path)),
+        self.assertFalse(os.path.exists(syspath(path)),
                          f'file exists: {path!r}')
 
     def assert_equal_path(self, a, b):
@@ -186,8 +187,8 @@ class TestCase(unittest.TestCase, Assertions):
         self.io = DummyIO()
 
     def tearDown(self):
-        if os.path.isdir(self.temp_dir):
-            shutil.rmtree(self.temp_dir)
+        if os.path.isdir(syspath(self.temp_dir)):
+            shutil.rmtree(syspath(self.temp_dir))
         if self._old_home is None:
             del os.environ['HOME']
         else:
@@ -325,7 +326,7 @@ class DummyIO:
 # Utility.
 
 def touch(path):
-    open(path, 'a').close()
+    open(syspath(path), 'a').close()
 
 
 class Bag:
@@ -351,16 +352,13 @@ class TempDirMixin:
         """Create a temporary directory and assign it into `self.temp_dir`.
         Call `remove_temp_dir` later to delete it.
         """
-        path = tempfile.mkdtemp()
-        if not isinstance(path, bytes):
-            path = path.encode('utf8')
-        self.temp_dir = path
+        self.temp_dir = bytestring_path(tempfile.mkdtemp())
 
     def remove_temp_dir(self):
         """Delete the temporary directory created by `create_temp_dir`.
         """
-        if os.path.isdir(self.temp_dir):
-            shutil.rmtree(self.temp_dir)
+        if os.path.isdir(syspath(self.temp_dir)):
+            shutil.rmtree(syspath(self.temp_dir))
 
 
 # Platform mocking.
diff --git a/test/helper.py b/test/helper.py
index b6e425c62..5ee8263eb 100644
--- a/test/helper.py
+++ b/test/helper.py
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ from beets import importer
 from beets.autotag.hooks import AlbumInfo, TrackInfo
 from mediafile import MediaFile, Image
 from beets import util
-from beets.util import MoveOperation
+from beets.util import MoveOperation, syspath, bytestring_path
 
 # TODO Move AutotagMock here
 from test import _common
@@ -181,7 +181,7 @@ class TestHelper:
         self.config['threaded'] = False
 
         self.libdir = os.path.join(self.temp_dir, b'libdir')
-        os.mkdir(self.libdir)
+        os.mkdir(syspath(self.libdir))
         self.config['directory'] = util.py3_path(self.libdir)
 
         if disk:
@@ -242,17 +242,17 @@ class TestHelper:
         `self.temp_dir` and creates a `ImportSessionFixture` for this path.
         """
         import_dir = os.path.join(self.temp_dir, b'import')
-        if not os.path.isdir(import_dir):
-            os.mkdir(import_dir)
+        if not os.path.isdir(syspath(import_dir)):
+            os.mkdir(syspath(import_dir))
 
         album_no = 0
         while album_count:
             album = util.bytestring_path(f'album {album_no}')
             album_dir = os.path.join(import_dir, album)
-            if os.path.exists(album_dir):
+            if os.path.exists(syspath(album_dir)):
                 album_no += 1
                 continue
-            os.mkdir(album_dir)
+            os.mkdir(syspath(album_dir))
             album_count -= 1
 
             track_no = 0
@@ -262,11 +262,11 @@ class TestHelper:
                 src = os.path.join(_common.RSRC, b'full.mp3')
                 title_file = util.bytestring_path(f'{title}.mp3')
                 dest = os.path.join(album_dir, title_file)
-                if os.path.exists(dest):
+                if os.path.exists(syspath(dest)):
                     track_no += 1
                     continue
                 album_item_count -= 1
-                shutil.copy(src, dest)
+                shutil.copy(syspath(src), syspath(dest))
                 mediafile = MediaFile(dest)
                 mediafile.update({
                     'artist': 'artist',
@@ -405,8 +405,9 @@ class TestHelper:
         """
         src = os.path.join(_common.RSRC, util.bytestring_path('full.' + ext))
         handle, path = mkstemp()
+        path = bytestring_path(path)
         os.close(handle)
-        shutil.copyfile(src, path)
+        shutil.copyfile(syspath(src), syspath(path))
 
         if images:
             mediafile = MediaFile(path)
@@ -428,7 +429,7 @@ class TestHelper:
     def remove_mediafile_fixtures(self):
         if hasattr(self, '_mediafile_fixtures'):
             for path in self._mediafile_fixtures:
-                os.remove(path)
+                os.remove(syspath(path))
 
     def _get_item_count(self):
         if not hasattr(self, '__item_count'):
@@ -467,7 +468,7 @@ class TestHelper:
     def remove_temp_dir(self):
         """Delete the temporary directory created by `create_temp_dir`.
         """
-        shutil.rmtree(self.temp_dir)
+        shutil.rmtree(syspath(self.temp_dir))
 
     def touch(self, path, dir=None, content=''):
         """Create a file at `path` with given content.
@@ -483,10 +484,10 @@ class TestHelper:
             path = os.path.join(self.temp_dir, path)
 
         parent = os.path.dirname(path)
-        if not os.path.isdir(parent):
-            os.makedirs(util.syspath(parent))
+        if not os.path.isdir(syspath(parent)):
+            os.makedirs(syspath(parent))
 
-        with open(util.syspath(path), 'a+') as f:
+        with open(syspath(path), 'a+') as f:
             f.write(content)
         return path
 
diff --git a/test/test_art.py b/test/test_art.py
index 615682a53..b14ec0f59 100644
--- a/test/test_art.py
+++ b/test/test_art.py
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ from beets import library
 from beets import importer
 from beets import logging
 from beets import util
+from beets.util import syspath
 from beets.util.artresizer import ArtResizer
 import confuse
 
@@ -197,7 +198,7 @@ class FSArtTest(UseThePlugin):
     def setUp(self):
         super().setUp()
         self.dpath = os.path.join(self.temp_dir, b'arttest')
-        os.mkdir(self.dpath)
+        os.mkdir(syspath(self.dpath))
 
         self.source = fetchart.FileSystem(logger, self.plugin.config)
         self.settings = Settings(cautious=False,
@@ -251,7 +252,7 @@ class CombinedTest(FetchImageHelper, UseThePlugin, CAAHelper):
     def setUp(self):
         super().setUp()
         self.dpath = os.path.join(self.temp_dir, b'arttest')
-        os.mkdir(self.dpath)
+        os.mkdir(syspath(self.dpath))
 
     def test_main_interface_returns_amazon_art(self):
         self.mock_response(self.AMAZON_URL)
@@ -641,10 +642,13 @@ class ArtImporterTest(UseThePlugin):
         # Test library.
         self.libpath = os.path.join(self.temp_dir, b'tmplib.blb')
         self.libdir = os.path.join(self.temp_dir, b'tmplib')
-        os.mkdir(self.libdir)
-        os.mkdir(os.path.join(self.libdir, b'album'))
+        os.mkdir(syspath(self.libdir))
+        os.mkdir(syspath(os.path.join(self.libdir, b'album')))
         itempath = os.path.join(self.libdir, b'album', b'test.mp3')
-        shutil.copyfile(os.path.join(_common.RSRC, b'full.mp3'), itempath)
+        shutil.copyfile(
+            syspath(os.path.join(_common.RSRC, b'full.mp3')),
+            syspath(itempath),
+        )
         self.lib = library.Library(self.libpath)
         self.i = _common.item()
         self.i.path = itempath
@@ -716,7 +720,7 @@ class ArtImporterTest(UseThePlugin):
 
     def test_do_not_delete_original_if_already_in_place(self):
         artdest = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(self.i.path), b'cover.jpg')
-        shutil.copyfile(self.art_file, artdest)
+        shutil.copyfile(syspath(self.art_file), syspath(artdest))
         self.afa_response = fetchart.Candidate(logger, path=artdest)
         self._fetch_art(True)
 
diff --git a/test/test_convert.py b/test/test_convert.py
index 950711f76..ff2eade87 100644
--- a/test/test_convert.py
+++ b/test/test_convert.py
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ from test.helper import control_stdin, capture_log
 
 from mediafile import MediaFile
 from beets import util
+from beets.util import bytestring_path, displayable_path, syspath
 
 
 def shell_quote(text):
@@ -53,15 +54,15 @@ class TestHelper(helper.TestHelper):
         """
         display_tag = tag
         tag = tag.encode('utf-8')
-        self.assertTrue(os.path.isfile(path),
+        self.assertTrue(os.path.isfile(syspath(path)),
                         '{} is not a file'.format(
-                            util.displayable_path(path)))
+                            displayable_path(path)))
         with open(path, 'rb') as f:
             f.seek(-len(display_tag), os.SEEK_END)
             self.assertEqual(f.read(), tag,
                              '{} is not tagged with {}'
                              .format(
-                                 util.displayable_path(path),
+                                 displayable_path(path),
                                  display_tag))
 
     def assertNoFileTag(self, path, tag):  # noqa
@@ -70,15 +71,15 @@ class TestHelper(helper.TestHelper):
         """
         display_tag = tag
         tag = tag.encode('utf-8')
-        self.assertTrue(os.path.isfile(path),
+        self.assertTrue(os.path.isfile(syspath(path)),
                         '{} is not a file'.format(
-                            util.displayable_path(path)))
+                            displayable_path(path)))
         with open(path, 'rb') as f:
             f.seek(-len(tag), os.SEEK_END)
             self.assertNotEqual(f.read(), tag,
                                 '{} is unexpectedly tagged with {}'
                                 .format(
-                                    util.displayable_path(path),
+                                    displayable_path(path),
                                     display_tag))
 
 
@@ -117,7 +118,7 @@ class ImportConvertTest(unittest.TestCase, TestHelper):
 
         item = self.lib.items().get()
         self.assertIsNotNone(item)
-        self.assertTrue(os.path.isfile(item.path))
+        self.assertTrue(os.path.isfile(syspath(item.path)))
 
     def test_delete_originals(self):
         self.config['convert']['delete_originals'] = True
@@ -166,7 +167,7 @@ class ConvertCliTest(unittest.TestCase, TestHelper, ConvertCommand):
         self.item = self.album.items()[0]
         self.load_plugins('convert')
 
-        self.convert_dest = util.bytestring_path(
+        self.convert_dest = bytestring_path(
             os.path.join(self.temp_dir, b'convert_dest')
         )
         self.config['convert'] = {
@@ -202,7 +203,7 @@ class ConvertCliTest(unittest.TestCase, TestHelper, ConvertCommand):
         with control_stdin('n'):
             self.run_convert()
         converted = os.path.join(self.convert_dest, b'converted.mp3')
-        self.assertFalse(os.path.isfile(converted))
+        self.assertFalse(os.path.isfile(syspath(converted)))
 
     def test_convert_keep_new(self):
         self.assertEqual(os.path.splitext(self.item.path)[1], b'.ogg')
@@ -243,7 +244,7 @@ class ConvertCliTest(unittest.TestCase, TestHelper, ConvertCommand):
     def test_pretend(self):
         self.run_convert('--pretend')
         converted = os.path.join(self.convert_dest, b'converted.mp3')
-        self.assertFalse(os.path.exists(converted))
+        self.assertFalse(os.path.exists(syspath(converted)))
 
     def test_empty_query(self):
         with capture_log('beets.convert') as logs:
diff --git a/test/test_embedart.py b/test/test_embedart.py
index 91df8cb08..23a6f5e54 100644
--- a/test/test_embedart.py
+++ b/test/test_embedart.py
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ from test.test_art_resize import DummyIMBackend
 
 from mediafile import MediaFile
 from beets import config, logging, ui
-from beets.util import syspath, displayable_path
+from beets.util import bytestring_path, displayable_path, syspath
 from beets.util.artresizer import ArtResizer
 from beets import art
 from test.test_art import FetchImageHelper
@@ -110,6 +110,7 @@ class EmbedartCliTest(TestHelper, FetchImageHelper):
         logging.getLogger('beets.embedart').setLevel(logging.DEBUG)
 
         handle, tmp_path = tempfile.mkstemp()
+        tmp_path = bytestring_path(tmp_path)
         os.write(handle, self.image_data)
         os.close(handle)
 
@@ -119,9 +120,11 @@ class EmbedartCliTest(TestHelper, FetchImageHelper):
         config['embedart']['remove_art_file'] = True
         self.run_command('embedart', '-y')
 
-        if os.path.isfile(tmp_path):
-            os.remove(tmp_path)
-            self.fail(f'Artwork file {tmp_path} was not deleted')
+        if os.path.isfile(syspath(tmp_path)):
+            os.remove(syspath(tmp_path))
+            self.fail('Artwork file {} was not deleted'.format(
+                displayable_path(tmp_path)
+            ))
 
     def test_art_file_missing(self):
         self.add_album_fixture()
@@ -134,13 +137,14 @@ class EmbedartCliTest(TestHelper, FetchImageHelper):
         logging.getLogger('beets.embedart').setLevel(logging.DEBUG)
 
         handle, tmp_path = tempfile.mkstemp()
+        tmp_path = bytestring_path(tmp_path)
         os.write(handle, b'I am not an image.')
         os.close(handle)
 
         try:
             self.run_command('embedart', '-y', '-f', tmp_path)
         finally:
-            os.remove(tmp_path)
+            os.remove(syspath(tmp_path))
 
         mediafile = MediaFile(syspath(album.items()[0].path))
         self.assertFalse(mediafile.images)  # No image added.
diff --git a/test/test_filefilter.py b/test/test_filefilter.py
index 7e5e91f03..2eaaa96da 100644
--- a/test/test_filefilter.py
+++ b/test/test_filefilter.py
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ from test.helper import capture_log
 from test.test_importer import ImportHelper
 from beets import config
 from mediafile import MediaFile
-from beets.util import displayable_path, bytestring_path
+from beets.util import displayable_path, bytestring_path, syspath
 from beetsplug.filefilter import FileFilterPlugin
 
 
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ class FileFilterPluginTest(unittest.TestCase, ImportHelper):
     def __copy_file(self, dest_path, metadata):
         # Copy files
         resource_path = os.path.join(_common.RSRC, b'full.mp3')
-        shutil.copy(resource_path, dest_path)
+        shutil.copy(syspath(resource_path), syspath(dest_path))
         medium = MediaFile(dest_path)
         # Set metadata
         for attr in metadata:
@@ -51,14 +51,14 @@ class FileFilterPluginTest(unittest.TestCase, ImportHelper):
 
     def __create_import_dir(self, count):
         self.import_dir = os.path.join(self.temp_dir, b'testsrcdir')
-        if os.path.isdir(self.import_dir):
-            shutil.rmtree(self.import_dir)
+        if os.path.isdir(syspath(self.import_dir)):
+            shutil.rmtree(syspath(self.import_dir))
 
         self.artist_path = os.path.join(self.import_dir, b'artist')
         self.album_path = os.path.join(self.artist_path, b'album')
         self.misc_path = os.path.join(self.import_dir, b'misc')
-        os.makedirs(self.album_path)
-        os.makedirs(self.misc_path)
+        os.makedirs(syspath(self.album_path))
+        os.makedirs(syspath(self.misc_path))
 
         metadata = {
             'artist': 'Tag Artist',
diff --git a/test/test_files.py b/test/test_files.py
index c625f7a12..52617aabc 100644
--- a/test/test_files.py
+++ b/test/test_files.py
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ from test import _common
 from test._common import item, touch
 import beets.library
 from beets import util
-from beets.util import MoveOperation
+from beets.util import MoveOperation, bytestring_path, syspath
 
 
 class MoveTest(_common.TestCase):
@@ -34,7 +34,10 @@ class MoveTest(_common.TestCase):
 
         # make a temporary file
         self.path = join(self.temp_dir, b'temp.mp3')
-        shutil.copy(join(_common.RSRC, b'full.mp3'), self.path)
+        shutil.copy(
+            syspath(join(_common.RSRC, b'full.mp3')),
+            syspath(self.path),
+        )
 
         # add it to a temporary library
         self.lib = beets.library.Library(':memory:')
@@ -43,7 +46,7 @@ class MoveTest(_common.TestCase):
 
         # set up the destination
         self.libdir = join(self.temp_dir, b'testlibdir')
-        os.mkdir(self.libdir)
+        os.mkdir(syspath(self.libdir))
         self.lib.directory = self.libdir
         self.lib.path_formats = [('default',
                                   join('$artist', '$album', '$title'))]
@@ -139,20 +142,20 @@ class MoveTest(_common.TestCase):
 
     def test_read_only_file_copied_writable(self):
         # Make the source file read-only.
-        os.chmod(self.path, 0o444)
+        os.chmod(syspath(self.path), 0o444)
 
         try:
             self.i.move(operation=MoveOperation.COPY)
-            self.assertTrue(os.access(self.i.path, os.W_OK))
+            self.assertTrue(os.access(syspath(self.i.path), os.W_OK))
         finally:
             # Make everything writable so it can be cleaned up.
-            os.chmod(self.path, 0o777)
-            os.chmod(self.i.path, 0o777)
+            os.chmod(syspath(self.path), 0o777)
+            os.chmod(syspath(self.i.path), 0o777)
 
     def test_move_avoids_collision_with_existing_file(self):
         # Make a conflicting file at the destination.
         dest = self.i.destination()
-        os.makedirs(os.path.dirname(dest))
+        os.makedirs(syspath(os.path.dirname(dest)))
         touch(dest)
 
         self.i.move()
@@ -164,8 +167,11 @@ class MoveTest(_common.TestCase):
     def test_link_arrives(self):
         self.i.move(operation=MoveOperation.LINK)
         self.assertExists(self.dest)
-        self.assertTrue(os.path.islink(self.dest))
-        self.assertEqual(os.readlink(self.dest), self.path)
+        self.assertTrue(os.path.islink(syspath(self.dest)))
+        self.assertEqual(
+            bytestring_path(os.readlink(syspath(self.dest))),
+            self.path,
+        )
 
     @unittest.skipUnless(_common.HAVE_SYMLINK, "need symlinks")
     def test_link_does_not_depart(self):
@@ -181,8 +187,8 @@ class MoveTest(_common.TestCase):
     def test_hardlink_arrives(self):
         self.i.move(operation=MoveOperation.HARDLINK)
         self.assertExists(self.dest)
-        s1 = os.stat(self.path)
-        s2 = os.stat(self.dest)
+        s1 = os.stat(syspath(self.path))
+        s2 = os.stat(syspath(self.dest))
         self.assertTrue(
             (s1[stat.ST_INO], s1[stat.ST_DEV]) ==
             (s2[stat.ST_INO], s2[stat.ST_DEV])
@@ -271,8 +277,8 @@ class AlbumFileTest(_common.TestCase):
         self.ai.store()
         self.i.load()
 
-        self.assertFalse(os.path.exists(oldpath))
-        self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(self.i.path))
+        self.assertFalse(os.path.exists(syspath(oldpath)))
+        self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(syspath(self.i.path)))
 
     def test_albuminfo_move_copies_file(self):
         oldpath = self.i.path
@@ -281,8 +287,8 @@ class AlbumFileTest(_common.TestCase):
         self.ai.store()
         self.i.load()
 
-        self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(oldpath))
-        self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(self.i.path))
+        self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(syspath(oldpath)))
+        self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(syspath(self.i.path)))
 
     @unittest.skipUnless(_common.HAVE_REFLINK, "need reflink")
     def test_albuminfo_move_reflinks_file(self):
@@ -326,21 +332,21 @@ class ArtFileTest(_common.TestCase):
         self.otherdir = os.path.join(self.temp_dir, b'testotherdir')
 
     def test_art_deleted_when_items_deleted(self):
-        self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(self.art))
+        self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(syspath(self.art)))
         self.ai.remove(True)
-        self.assertFalse(os.path.exists(self.art))
+        self.assertFalse(os.path.exists(syspath(self.art)))
 
     def test_art_moves_with_album(self):
-        self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(self.art))
+        self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(syspath(self.art)))
         oldpath = self.i.path
         self.ai.album = 'newAlbum'
         self.ai.move()
         self.i.load()
 
         self.assertNotEqual(self.i.path, oldpath)
-        self.assertFalse(os.path.exists(self.art))
+        self.assertFalse(os.path.exists(syspath(self.art)))
         newart = self.lib.get_album(self.i).art_destination(self.art)
-        self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(newart))
+        self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(syspath(newart)))
 
     def test_art_moves_with_album_to_custom_dir(self):
         # Move the album to another directory.
@@ -355,7 +361,7 @@ class ArtFileTest(_common.TestCase):
         self.assertTrue(b'testotherdir' in newart)
 
     def test_setart_copies_image(self):
-        os.remove(self.art)
+        util.remove(self.art)
 
         newart = os.path.join(self.libdir, b'newart.jpg')
         touch(newart)
@@ -367,10 +373,10 @@ class ArtFileTest(_common.TestCase):
 
         self.assertEqual(ai.artpath, None)
         ai.set_art(newart)
-        self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(ai.artpath))
+        self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(syspath(ai.artpath)))
 
     def test_setart_to_existing_art_works(self):
-        os.remove(self.art)
+        util.remove(self.art)
 
         # Original art.
         newart = os.path.join(self.libdir, b'newart.jpg')
@@ -384,7 +390,7 @@ class ArtFileTest(_common.TestCase):
 
         # Set the art again.
         ai.set_art(ai.artpath)
-        self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(ai.artpath))
+        self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(syspath(ai.artpath)))
 
     def test_setart_to_existing_but_unset_art_works(self):
         newart = os.path.join(self.libdir, b'newart.jpg')
@@ -397,11 +403,11 @@ class ArtFileTest(_common.TestCase):
 
         # Copy the art to the destination.
         artdest = ai.art_destination(newart)
-        shutil.copy(newart, artdest)
+        shutil.copy(syspath(newart), syspath(artdest))
 
         # Set the art again.
         ai.set_art(artdest)
-        self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(ai.artpath))
+        self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(syspath(ai.artpath)))
 
     def test_setart_to_conflicting_file_gets_new_path(self):
         newart = os.path.join(self.libdir, b'newart.jpg')
@@ -423,11 +429,11 @@ class ArtFileTest(_common.TestCase):
                          os.path.dirname(ai.artpath))
 
     def test_setart_sets_permissions(self):
-        os.remove(self.art)
+        util.remove(self.art)
 
         newart = os.path.join(self.libdir, b'newart.jpg')
         touch(newart)
-        os.chmod(newart, 0o400)  # read-only
+        os.chmod(syspath(newart), 0o400)  # read-only
 
         try:
             i2 = item()
@@ -437,14 +443,14 @@ class ArtFileTest(_common.TestCase):
             i2.move(operation=MoveOperation.COPY)
             ai.set_art(newart)
 
-            mode = stat.S_IMODE(os.stat(ai.artpath).st_mode)
+            mode = stat.S_IMODE(os.stat(syspath(ai.artpath)).st_mode)
             self.assertTrue(mode & stat.S_IRGRP)
-            self.assertTrue(os.access(ai.artpath, os.W_OK))
+            self.assertTrue(os.access(syspath(ai.artpath), os.W_OK))
 
         finally:
             # Make everything writable so it can be cleaned up.
-            os.chmod(newart, 0o777)
-            os.chmod(ai.artpath, 0o777)
+            os.chmod(syspath(newart), 0o777)
+            os.chmod(syspath(ai.artpath), 0o777)
 
     def test_move_last_file_moves_albumart(self):
         oldartpath = self.lib.albums()[0].artpath
@@ -609,9 +615,9 @@ class PruneTest(_common.TestCase):
         super().setUp()
 
         self.base = os.path.join(self.temp_dir, b'testdir')
-        os.mkdir(self.base)
+        os.mkdir(syspath(self.base))
         self.sub = os.path.join(self.base, b'subdir')
-        os.mkdir(self.sub)
+        os.mkdir(syspath(self.sub))
 
     def test_prune_existent_directory(self):
         util.prune_dirs(self.sub, self.base)
@@ -629,10 +635,10 @@ class WalkTest(_common.TestCase):
         super().setUp()
 
         self.base = os.path.join(self.temp_dir, b'testdir')
-        os.mkdir(self.base)
+        os.mkdir(syspath(self.base))
         touch(os.path.join(self.base, b'y'))
         touch(os.path.join(self.base, b'x'))
-        os.mkdir(os.path.join(self.base, b'd'))
+        os.mkdir(syspath(os.path.join(self.base, b'd')))
         touch(os.path.join(self.base, b'd', b'z'))
 
     def test_sorted_files(self):
@@ -669,7 +675,7 @@ class UniquePathTest(_common.TestCase):
         super().setUp()
 
         self.base = os.path.join(self.temp_dir, b'testdir')
-        os.mkdir(self.base)
+        os.mkdir(syspath(self.base))
         touch(os.path.join(self.base, b'x.mp3'))
         touch(os.path.join(self.base, b'x.1.mp3'))
         touch(os.path.join(self.base, b'x.2.mp3'))
@@ -696,16 +702,16 @@ class MkDirAllTest(_common.TestCase):
     def test_parent_exists(self):
         path = os.path.join(self.temp_dir, b'foo', b'bar', b'baz', b'qux.mp3')
         util.mkdirall(path)
-        self.assertTrue(os.path.isdir(
-            os.path.join(self.temp_dir, b'foo', b'bar', b'baz')
-        ))
+        self.assertTrue(os.path.isdir(syspath(
+            os.path.join(self.temp_dir, b'foo', b'bar', b'baz'),
+        )))
 
     def test_child_does_not_exist(self):
         path = os.path.join(self.temp_dir, b'foo', b'bar', b'baz', b'qux.mp3')
         util.mkdirall(path)
-        self.assertTrue(not os.path.exists(
-            os.path.join(self.temp_dir, b'foo', b'bar', b'baz', b'qux.mp3')
-        ))
+        self.assertTrue(not os.path.exists(syspath(
+            os.path.join(self.temp_dir, b'foo', b'bar', b'baz', b'qux.mp3'),
+        )))
 
 
 def suite():
diff --git a/test/test_importadded.py b/test/test_importadded.py
index bb160d190..6644c845f 100644
--- a/test/test_importadded.py
+++ b/test/test_importadded.py
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ import unittest
 
 from test.test_importer import ImportHelper, AutotagStub
 from beets import importer
-from beets import util
+from beets.util import displayable_path, syspath
 from beetsplug.importadded import ImportAddedPlugin
 
 _listeners = ImportAddedPlugin.listeners
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ def preserve_plugin_listeners():
 def modify_mtimes(paths, offset=-60000):
     for i, path in enumerate(paths, start=1):
         mstat = os.stat(path)
-        os.utime(path, (mstat.st_atime, mstat.st_mtime + offset * i))
+        os.utime(syspath(path), (mstat.st_atime, mstat.st_mtime + offset * i))
 
 
 class ImportAddedTest(unittest.TestCase, ImportHelper):
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ class ImportAddedTest(unittest.TestCase, ImportHelper):
             if m.title.replace('Tag', 'Applied') == item.title:
                 return m
         raise AssertionError("No MediaFile found for Item " +
-                             util.displayable_path(item.path))
+                             displayable_path(item.path))
 
     def assertEqualTimes(self, first, second, msg=None):  # noqa
         """For comparing file modification times at a sufficient precision"""
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ class ImportAddedTest(unittest.TestCase, ImportHelper):
         for item_path, added_after in items_added_after.items():
             self.assertEqualTimes(items_added_before[item_path], added_after,
                                   "reimport modified Item.added for " +
-                                  util.displayable_path(item_path))
+                                  displayable_path(item_path))
 
     def test_import_singletons_with_added_dates(self):
         self.config['import']['singletons'] = True
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ class ImportAddedTest(unittest.TestCase, ImportHelper):
         for item_path, added_after in items_added_after.items():
             self.assertEqualTimes(items_added_before[item_path], added_after,
                                   "reimport modified Item.added for " +
-                                  util.displayable_path(item_path))
+                                  displayable_path(item_path))
 
 
 def suite():
diff --git a/test/test_importer.py b/test/test_importer.py
index 967f5fc95..ad020a99f 100644
--- a/test/test_importer.py
+++ b/test/test_importer.py
@@ -29,7 +29,6 @@ from unittest.mock import patch, Mock
 import unittest
 
 from test import _common
-from beets.util import displayable_path, bytestring_path, py3_path
 from test.helper import TestHelper, has_program, capture_log
 from test.helper import ImportSessionFixture
 from beets import importer
@@ -40,6 +39,7 @@ from beets.autotag import AlbumInfo, TrackInfo, AlbumMatch
 from beets import config
 from beets import logging
 from beets import util
+from beets.util import displayable_path, bytestring_path, py3_path, syspath
 
 
 class AutotagStub:
@@ -173,11 +173,11 @@ class ImportHelper(TestHelper):
         :param count:  Number of files to create
         """
         self.import_dir = os.path.join(self.temp_dir, b'testsrcdir')
-        if os.path.isdir(self.import_dir):
-            shutil.rmtree(self.import_dir)
+        if os.path.isdir(syspath(self.import_dir)):
+            shutil.rmtree(syspath(self.import_dir))
 
         album_path = os.path.join(self.import_dir, b'the_album')
-        os.makedirs(album_path)
+        os.makedirs(syspath(album_path))
 
         resource_path = os.path.join(_common.RSRC, b'full.mp3')
 
@@ -196,7 +196,7 @@ class ImportHelper(TestHelper):
                 album_path,
                 bytestring_path('track_%d.mp3' % (i + 1))
             )
-            shutil.copy(resource_path, medium_path)
+            shutil.copy(syspath(resource_path), syspath(medium_path))
             medium = MediaFile(medium_path)
 
             # Set metadata
@@ -241,7 +241,7 @@ class ImportHelper(TestHelper):
         self.assertNotExists(os.path.join(self.libdir, *segments))
 
     def assert_lib_dir_empty(self):
-        self.assertEqual(len(os.listdir(self.libdir)), 0)
+        self.assertEqual(len(os.listdir(syspath(self.libdir))), 0)
 
 
 @_common.slow_test()
@@ -293,8 +293,7 @@ class NonAutotaggedImportTest(_common.TestCase, ImportHelper):
         self.assertNotExists(os.path.join(self.import_dir, b'the_album'))
 
     def test_import_with_move_prunes_with_extra_clutter(self):
-        f = open(os.path.join(self.import_dir, b'the_album', b'alog.log'), 'w')
-        f.close()
+        self.touch(os.path.join(self.import_dir, b'the_album', b'alog.log'))
         config['clutter'] = ['*.log']
         config['import']['move'] = True
 
@@ -350,9 +349,9 @@ class NonAutotaggedImportTest(_common.TestCase, ImportHelper):
                 util.bytestring_path(f'{mediafile.title}.mp3')
             )
             self.assertExists(filename)
-            self.assertTrue(os.path.islink(filename))
+            self.assertTrue(os.path.islink(syspath(filename)))
             self.assert_equal_path(
-                util.bytestring_path(os.readlink(filename)),
+                util.bytestring_path(os.readlink(syspath(filename))),
                 mediafile.path
             )
 
@@ -367,8 +366,8 @@ class NonAutotaggedImportTest(_common.TestCase, ImportHelper):
                 util.bytestring_path(f'{mediafile.title}.mp3')
             )
             self.assertExists(filename)
-            s1 = os.stat(mediafile.path)
-            s2 = os.stat(filename)
+            s1 = os.stat(syspath(mediafile.path))
+            s2 = os.stat(syspath(filename))
             self.assertTrue(
                 (s1[stat.ST_INO], s1[stat.ST_DEV]) ==
                 (s2[stat.ST_INO], s2[stat.ST_DEV])
@@ -377,9 +376,10 @@ class NonAutotaggedImportTest(_common.TestCase, ImportHelper):
 
 def create_archive(session):
     (handle, path) = mkstemp(dir=py3_path(session.temp_dir))
+    path = bytestring_path(path)
     os.close(handle)
     archive = ZipFile(py3_path(path), mode='w')
-    archive.write(os.path.join(_common.RSRC, b'full.mp3'),
+    archive.write(syspath(os.path.join(_common.RSRC, b'full.mp3')),
                   'full.mp3')
     archive.close()
     path = bytestring_path(path)
@@ -433,10 +433,11 @@ class ImportZipTest(unittest.TestCase, ImportHelper):
 class ImportTarTest(ImportZipTest):
 
     def create_archive(self):
-        (handle, path) = mkstemp(dir=self.temp_dir)
+        (handle, path) = mkstemp(dir=syspath(self.temp_dir))
+        path = bytestring_path(path)
         os.close(handle)
         archive = TarFile(py3_path(path), mode='w')
-        archive.add(os.path.join(_common.RSRC, b'full.mp3'),
+        archive.add(syspath(os.path.join(_common.RSRC, b'full.mp3')),
                     'full.mp3')
         archive.close()
         return path
@@ -534,7 +535,7 @@ class ImportSingletonTest(_common.TestCase, ImportHelper):
         resource_path = os.path.join(_common.RSRC, b'empty.mp3')
         single_path = os.path.join(self.import_dir, b'track_2.mp3')
 
-        shutil.copy(resource_path, single_path)
+        util.copy(resource_path, single_path)
         import_files = [
             os.path.join(self.import_dir, b'the_album'),
             single_path
@@ -696,8 +697,9 @@ class ImportTest(_common.TestCase, ImportHelper):
         self.assertEqual(self.lib.items().get(), None)
 
     def test_skip_non_album_dirs(self):
-        self.assertTrue(os.path.isdir(
-            os.path.join(self.import_dir, b'the_album')))
+        self.assertTrue(os.path.isdir(syspath(
+            os.path.join(self.import_dir, b'the_album'),
+        )))
         self.touch(b'cruft', dir=self.import_dir)
         self.importer.add_choice(importer.action.APPLY)
         self.importer.run()
@@ -1543,7 +1545,10 @@ class IncrementalImportTest(unittest.TestCase, TestHelper):
 
 
 def _mkmp3(path):
-    shutil.copyfile(os.path.join(_common.RSRC, b'min.mp3'), path)
+    shutil.copyfile(
+        syspath(os.path.join(_common.RSRC, b'min.mp3')),
+        syspath(path),
+    )
 
 
 class AlbumsInDirTest(_common.TestCase):
@@ -1552,13 +1557,13 @@ class AlbumsInDirTest(_common.TestCase):
 
         # create a directory structure for testing
         self.base = os.path.abspath(os.path.join(self.temp_dir, b'tempdir'))
-        os.mkdir(self.base)
+        os.mkdir(syspath(self.base))
 
-        os.mkdir(os.path.join(self.base, b'album1'))
-        os.mkdir(os.path.join(self.base, b'album2'))
-        os.mkdir(os.path.join(self.base, b'more'))
-        os.mkdir(os.path.join(self.base, b'more', b'album3'))
-        os.mkdir(os.path.join(self.base, b'more', b'album4'))
+        os.mkdir(syspath(os.path.join(self.base, b'album1')))
+        os.mkdir(syspath(os.path.join(self.base, b'album2')))
+        os.mkdir(syspath(os.path.join(self.base, b'more')))
+        os.mkdir(syspath(os.path.join(self.base, b'more', b'album3')))
+        os.mkdir(syspath(os.path.join(self.base, b'more', b'album4')))
 
         _mkmp3(os.path.join(self.base, b'album1', b'album1song1.mp3'))
         _mkmp3(os.path.join(self.base, b'album1', b'album1song2.mp3'))
@@ -1597,7 +1602,7 @@ class MultiDiscAlbumsInDirTest(_common.TestCase):
         otherwise, we use Unicode names.
         """
         self.base = os.path.abspath(os.path.join(self.temp_dir, b'tempdir'))
-        os.mkdir(self.base)
+        os.mkdir(syspath(self.base))
 
         name = b'CAT' if ascii else util.bytestring_path('C\xc1T')
         name_alt_case = b'CAt' if ascii else util.bytestring_path('C\xc1t')
@@ -1644,7 +1649,7 @@ class MultiDiscAlbumsInDirTest(_common.TestCase):
             self.files = [self._normalize_path(p) for p in self.files]
 
         for path in self.dirs:
-            os.mkdir(util.syspath(path))
+            os.mkdir(syspath(path))
         if files:
             for path in self.files:
                 _mkmp3(util.syspath(path))
@@ -1839,7 +1844,7 @@ class ImportPretendTest(_common.TestCase, ImportHelper):
         self._create_import_dir(1)
         resource_path = os.path.join(_common.RSRC, b'empty.mp3')
         single_path = os.path.join(self.import_dir, b'track_2.mp3')
-        shutil.copy(resource_path, single_path)
+        shutil.copy(syspath(resource_path), syspath(single_path))
         self.import_paths = [
             os.path.join(self.import_dir, b'the_album'),
             single_path
@@ -1852,7 +1857,7 @@ class ImportPretendTest(_common.TestCase, ImportHelper):
 
     def __create_empty_import_dir(self):
         path = os.path.join(self.temp_dir, b'empty')
-        os.makedirs(path)
+        os.makedirs(syspath(path))
         self.empty_path = path
 
     def __run(self, import_paths, singletons=True):
diff --git a/test/test_info.py b/test/test_info.py
index ed42458de..94923a37f 100644
--- a/test/test_info.py
+++ b/test/test_info.py
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ class InfoTest(unittest.TestCase, TestHelper):
         mediafile.save()
 
         out = self.run_with_output('info', path)
-        self.assertIn(path, out)
+        self.assertIn(displayable_path(path), out)
         self.assertIn('albumartist: AAA', out)
         self.assertIn('disctitle: DDD', out)
         self.assertIn('genres: a; b; c', out)
diff --git a/test/test_library.py b/test/test_library.py
index 389f3fa5e..0e9637635 100644
--- a/test/test_library.py
+++ b/test/test_library.py
@@ -1169,7 +1169,10 @@ class MtimeTest(_common.TestCase):
     def setUp(self):
         super().setUp()
         self.ipath = os.path.join(self.temp_dir, b'testfile.mp3')
-        shutil.copy(os.path.join(_common.RSRC, b'full.mp3'), self.ipath)
+        shutil.copy(
+            syspath(os.path.join(_common.RSRC, b'full.mp3')),
+            syspath(self.ipath),
+        )
         self.i = beets.library.Item.from_path(self.ipath)
         self.lib = beets.library.Library(':memory:')
         self.lib.add(self.i)
diff --git a/test/test_plugin_mediafield.py b/test/test_plugin_mediafield.py
index 6179ce646..23899e894 100644
--- a/test/test_plugin_mediafield.py
+++ b/test/test_plugin_mediafield.py
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ from test import _common
 from beets.library import Item
 import mediafile
 from beets.plugins import BeetsPlugin
-from beets.util import bytestring_path
+from beets.util import bytestring_path, syspath
 
 
 field_extension = mediafile.MediaField(
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ class ExtendedFieldTestMixin(_common.TestCase):
         name = bytestring_path(name + '.' + extension)
         src = os.path.join(_common.RSRC, name)
         target = os.path.join(self.temp_dir, name)
-        shutil.copy(src, target)
+        shutil.copy(syspath(src), syspath(target))
         return mediafile.MediaFile(target)
 
     def test_extended_field_write(self):
diff --git a/test/test_plugins.py b/test/test_plugins.py
index c9609a357..9f48b5b22 100644
--- a/test/test_plugins.py
+++ b/test/test_plugins.py
@@ -180,7 +180,7 @@ class EventsTest(unittest.TestCase, ImportHelper, TestHelper):
     def __copy_file(self, dest_path, metadata):
         # Copy files
         resource_path = os.path.join(RSRC, b'full.mp3')
-        shutil.copy(resource_path, dest_path)
+        shutil.copy(syspath(resource_path), syspath(dest_path))
         medium = MediaFile(dest_path)
         # Set metadata
         for attr in metadata:
@@ -189,8 +189,8 @@ class EventsTest(unittest.TestCase, ImportHelper, TestHelper):
 
     def __create_import_dir(self, count):
         self.import_dir = os.path.join(self.temp_dir, b'testsrcdir')
-        if os.path.isdir(self.import_dir):
-            shutil.rmtree(self.import_dir)
+        if os.path.isdir(syspath(self.import_dir)):
+            shutil.rmtree(syspath(self.import_dir))
 
         self.album_path = os.path.join(self.import_dir, b'album')
         os.makedirs(self.album_path)
diff --git a/test/test_query.py b/test/test_query.py
index 5458676db..4e0a748cb 100644
--- a/test/test_query.py
+++ b/test/test_query.py
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ from beets.dbcore.query import (NoneQuery, ParsingError,
                                 InvalidQueryArgumentValueError)
 from beets.library import Library, Item
 from beets import util
+from beets.util import syspath
 
 # Because the absolute path begins with something like C:, we
 # can't disambiguate it from an ordinary query.
@@ -662,7 +663,7 @@ class PathQueryTest(_common.LibTestCase, TestHelper, AssertsMixin):
         # Temporarily change directory so relative paths work.
         cur_dir = os.getcwd()
         try:
-            os.chdir(self.temp_dir)
+            os.chdir(syspath(self.temp_dir))
             self.assertTrue(is_path_query('foo/'))
             self.assertTrue(is_path_query('foo/bar'))
             self.assertTrue(is_path_query('foo/bar:tagada'))
diff --git a/test/test_smartplaylist.py b/test/test_smartplaylist.py
index 0c0add4ab..5deb34c76 100644
--- a/test/test_smartplaylist.py
+++ b/test/test_smartplaylist.py
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ class SmartPlaylistTest(unittest.TestCase):
         try:
             spl.update_playlists(lib)
         except Exception:
-            rmtree(dir)
+            rmtree(syspath(dir))
             raise
 
         lib.items.assert_called_once_with(q, None)
@@ -177,7 +177,7 @@ class SmartPlaylistTest(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertTrue(path.exists(m3u_filepath))
         with open(syspath(m3u_filepath), 'rb') as f:
             content = f.read()
-        rmtree(dir)
+        rmtree(syspath(dir))
 
         self.assertEqual(content, b'/tagada.mp3\n')
 
@@ -207,14 +207,14 @@ class SmartPlaylistCLITest(unittest.TestCase, TestHelper):
         self.run_with_output('splupdate', 'my_playlist')
         m3u_path = path.join(self.temp_dir, b'my_playlist.m3u')
         self.assertTrue(path.exists(m3u_path))
-        with open(m3u_path, 'rb') as f:
+        with open(syspath(m3u_path), 'rb') as f:
             self.assertEqual(f.read(), self.item.path + b"\n")
-        remove(m3u_path)
+        remove(syspath(m3u_path))
 
         self.run_with_output('splupdate', 'my_playlist.m3u')
-        with open(m3u_path, 'rb') as f:
+        with open(syspath(m3u_path), 'rb') as f:
             self.assertEqual(f.read(), self.item.path + b"\n")
-        remove(m3u_path)
+        remove(syspath(m3u_path))
 
         self.run_with_output('splupdate')
         for name in (b'my_playlist.m3u', b'all.m3u'):
diff --git a/test/test_thumbnails.py b/test/test_thumbnails.py
index 891411535..e3a85fe98 100644
--- a/test/test_thumbnails.py
+++ b/test/test_thumbnails.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ import unittest
 
 from test.helper import TestHelper
 
-from beets.util import bytestring_path
+from beets.util import bytestring_path, syspath
 from beetsplug.thumbnails import (ThumbnailsPlugin, NORMAL_DIR, LARGE_DIR,
                                   PathlibURI, GioURI)
 
@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@ class ThumbnailsTest(unittest.TestCase, TestHelper):
             b"/path/to/thumbnail",
             metadata,
         )
+        # FIXME: Plugin should use syspath
         mock_stat.assert_called_once_with(album.artpath)
 
     @patch('beetsplug.thumbnails.os')
@@ -68,13 +69,16 @@ class ThumbnailsTest(unittest.TestCase, TestHelper):
         mock_artresizer.shared.can_write_metadata = True
 
         def exists(path):
+            # FIXME: Plugin should use syspath
             if path == NORMAL_DIR:
                 return False
+            # FIXME: Plugin should use syspath
             if path == LARGE_DIR:
                 return True
             raise ValueError(f"unexpected path {path!r}")
         mock_os.path.exists = exists
         plugin = ThumbnailsPlugin()
+        # FIXME: Plugin should use syspath
         mock_os.makedirs.assert_called_once_with(NORMAL_DIR)
         self.assertTrue(plugin._check_local_ok())
 
@@ -109,6 +113,7 @@ class ThumbnailsTest(unittest.TestCase, TestHelper):
         thumbnail_dir = os.path.normpath(b"/thumbnail/dir")
         md5_file = os.path.join(thumbnail_dir, b"md5")
         path_to_art = os.path.normpath(b"/path/to/art")
+        path_to_resized_art = os.path.normpath(b'/path/to/resized/artwork')
 
         mock_os.path.join = os.path.join  # don't mock that function
         plugin = ThumbnailsPlugin()
@@ -120,34 +125,43 @@ class ThumbnailsTest(unittest.TestCase, TestHelper):
         mock_os.path.exists.return_value = False
 
         def os_stat(target):
+            # FIXME: Plugin should use syspath
             if target == md5_file:
                 return Mock(st_mtime=1)
+            # FIXME: Plugin should use syspath
             elif target == path_to_art:
                 return Mock(st_mtime=2)
             else:
                 raise ValueError(f"invalid target {target}")
         mock_os.stat.side_effect = os_stat
 
+        mock_resize = mock_artresizer.shared.resize
+        mock_resize.return_value = path_to_resized_art
+
         plugin.make_cover_thumbnail(album, 12345, thumbnail_dir)
 
+        # FIXME: Plugin should use syspath
         mock_os.path.exists.assert_called_once_with(md5_file)
-        mock_os.stat.has_calls([call(md5_file), call(path_to_art)],
+        mock_os.stat.has_calls([call(syspath(md5_file)),
+                                call(syspath(path_to_art))],
                                any_order=True)
 
-        resize = mock_artresizer.shared.resize
-        resize.assert_called_once_with(12345, path_to_art, md5_file)
-        plugin.add_tags.assert_called_once_with(album, resize.return_value)
-        mock_shutils.move.assert_called_once_with(resize.return_value,
+        mock_resize.assert_called_once_with(12345, path_to_art, md5_file)
+        plugin.add_tags.assert_called_once_with(album, path_to_resized_art)
+        # FIXME: Plugin should use syspath
+        mock_shutils.move.assert_called_once_with(path_to_resized_art,
                                                   md5_file)
 
         # now test with recent thumbnail & with force
         mock_os.path.exists.return_value = True
         plugin.force = False
-        resize.reset_mock()
+        mock_resize.reset_mock()
 
         def os_stat(target):
+            # FIXME: Plugin should use syspath
             if target == md5_file:
                 return Mock(st_mtime=3)
+            # FIXME: Plugin should use syspath
             elif target == path_to_art:
                 return Mock(st_mtime=2)
             else:
@@ -155,12 +169,12 @@ class ThumbnailsTest(unittest.TestCase, TestHelper):
         mock_os.stat.side_effect = os_stat
 
         plugin.make_cover_thumbnail(album, 12345, thumbnail_dir)
-        self.assertEqual(resize.call_count, 0)
+        self.assertEqual(mock_resize.call_count, 0)
 
         # and with force
         plugin.config['force'] = True
         plugin.make_cover_thumbnail(album, 12345, thumbnail_dir)
-        resize.assert_called_once_with(12345, path_to_art, md5_file)
+        mock_resize.assert_called_once_with(12345, path_to_art, md5_file)
 
     @patch('beetsplug.thumbnails.ThumbnailsPlugin._check_local_ok')
     def test_make_dolphin_cover_thumbnail(self, _):
@@ -184,7 +198,7 @@ class ThumbnailsTest(unittest.TestCase, TestHelper):
                 [b"[Desktop Entry]", b"Icon=./cover.jpg"]
             )
 
-        rmtree(tmp)
+        rmtree(syspath(tmp))
 
     @patch('beetsplug.thumbnails.ThumbnailsPlugin._check_local_ok')
     @patch('beetsplug.thumbnails.ArtResizer')
diff --git a/test/test_ui.py b/test/test_ui.py
index d3ce4a560..f66917dc2 100644
--- a/test/test_ui.py
+++ b/test/test_ui.py
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ class RemoveTest(_common.TestCase, TestHelper):
         self.io.install()
 
         self.libdir = os.path.join(self.temp_dir, b'testlibdir')
-        os.mkdir(self.libdir)
+        os.mkdir(syspath(self.libdir))
 
         # Copy a file into the library.
         self.lib = library.Library(':memory:', self.libdir)
@@ -128,26 +128,26 @@ class RemoveTest(_common.TestCase, TestHelper):
         commands.remove_items(self.lib, '', False, False, False)
         items = self.lib.items()
         self.assertEqual(len(list(items)), 0)
-        self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(self.i.path))
+        self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(syspath(self.i.path)))
 
     def test_remove_items_with_delete(self):
         self.io.addinput('y')
         commands.remove_items(self.lib, '', False, True, False)
         items = self.lib.items()
         self.assertEqual(len(list(items)), 0)
-        self.assertFalse(os.path.exists(self.i.path))
+        self.assertFalse(os.path.exists(syspath(self.i.path)))
 
     def test_remove_items_with_force_no_delete(self):
         commands.remove_items(self.lib, '', False, False, True)
         items = self.lib.items()
         self.assertEqual(len(list(items)), 0)
-        self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(self.i.path))
+        self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(syspath(self.i.path)))
 
     def test_remove_items_with_force_delete(self):
         commands.remove_items(self.lib, '', False, True, True)
         items = self.lib.items()
         self.assertEqual(len(list(items)), 0)
-        self.assertFalse(os.path.exists(self.i.path))
+        self.assertFalse(os.path.exists(syspath(self.i.path)))
 
     def test_remove_items_select_with_delete(self):
         i2 = library.Item.from_path(self.item_path)
@@ -458,10 +458,13 @@ class MoveTest(_common.TestCase):
         self.io.install()
 
         self.libdir = os.path.join(self.temp_dir, b'testlibdir')
-        os.mkdir(self.libdir)
+        os.mkdir(syspath(self.libdir))
 
         self.itempath = os.path.join(self.libdir, b'srcfile')
-        shutil.copy(os.path.join(_common.RSRC, b'full.mp3'), self.itempath)
+        shutil.copy(
+            syspath(os.path.join(_common.RSRC, b'full.mp3')),
+            syspath(self.itempath),
+        )
 
         # Add a file to the library but don't copy it in yet.
         self.lib = library.Library(':memory:', self.libdir)
@@ -573,7 +576,7 @@ class UpdateTest(_common.TestCase):
         _common.touch(artfile)
         self.album.set_art(artfile)
         self.album.store()
-        os.remove(artfile)
+        util.remove(artfile)
 
     def _update(self, query=(), album=False, move=False, reset_mtime=True,
                 fields=None):
@@ -586,23 +589,23 @@ class UpdateTest(_common.TestCase):
 
     def test_delete_removes_item(self):
         self.assertTrue(list(self.lib.items()))
-        os.remove(self.i.path)
-        os.remove(self.i2.path)
+        util.remove(self.i.path)
+        util.remove(self.i2.path)
         self._update()
         self.assertFalse(list(self.lib.items()))
 
     def test_delete_removes_album(self):
         self.assertTrue(self.lib.albums())
-        os.remove(self.i.path)
-        os.remove(self.i2.path)
+        util.remove(self.i.path)
+        util.remove(self.i2.path)
         self._update()
         self.assertFalse(self.lib.albums())
 
     def test_delete_removes_album_art(self):
         artpath = self.album.artpath
         self.assertExists(artpath)
-        os.remove(self.i.path)
-        os.remove(self.i2.path)
+        util.remove(self.i.path)
+        util.remove(self.i2.path)
         self._update()
         self.assertNotExists(artpath)
 
@@ -694,7 +697,7 @@ class UpdateTest(_common.TestCase):
         mf.save()
 
         # Make in-memory mtime match on-disk mtime.
-        self.i.mtime = os.path.getmtime(self.i.path)
+        self.i.mtime = os.path.getmtime(syspath(self.i.path))
         self.i.store()
 
         self._update(reset_mtime=False)
@@ -837,20 +840,20 @@ class ConfigTest(unittest.TestCase, TestHelper, _common.Assertions):
             self.user_config_dir = os.path.join(
                 self.temp_dir, b'.config', b'beets'
             )
-        os.makedirs(self.user_config_dir)
+        os.makedirs(syspath(self.user_config_dir))
         self.user_config_path = os.path.join(self.user_config_dir,
                                              b'config.yaml')
 
         # Custom BEETSDIR
         self.beetsdir = os.path.join(self.temp_dir, b'beetsdir')
-        os.makedirs(self.beetsdir)
+        os.makedirs(syspath(self.beetsdir))
 
         self._reset_config()
         self.load_plugins()
 
     def tearDown(self):
         commands.default_commands.pop()
-        os.chdir(self._orig_cwd)
+        os.chdir(syspath(self._orig_cwd))
         if self._old_home is not None:
             os.environ['HOME'] = self._old_home
         if self._old_appdata is None:
@@ -1034,7 +1037,7 @@ class ConfigTest(unittest.TestCase, TestHelper, _common.Assertions):
 
     def test_command_line_option_relative_to_working_dir(self):
         config.read()
-        os.chdir(self.temp_dir)
+        os.chdir(syspath(self.temp_dir))
         self.run_command('--library', 'foo.db', 'test', lib=None)
         self.assert_equal_path(config['library'].as_filename(),
                                os.path.join(os.getcwd(), 'foo.db'))
@@ -1308,7 +1311,7 @@ class CompletionTest(_common.TestCase, TestHelper):
 
         # Load bash_completion library.
         for path in commands.BASH_COMPLETION_PATHS:
-            if os.path.exists(util.syspath(path)):
+            if os.path.exists(syspath(path)):
                 bash_completion = path
                 break
         else:
diff --git a/test/test_ui_commands.py b/test/test_ui_commands.py
index 7ef8aa534..36b380b6f 100644
--- a/test/test_ui_commands.py
+++ b/test/test_ui_commands.py
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ from test import _common
 from beets import library
 from beets import ui
 from beets.ui import commands
+from beets.util import syspath
 
 
 class QueryTest(_common.TestCase):
@@ -32,7 +33,7 @@ class QueryTest(_common.TestCase):
         super().setUp()
 
         self.libdir = os.path.join(self.temp_dir, b'testlibdir')
-        os.mkdir(self.libdir)
+        os.mkdir(syspath(self.libdir))
 
         # Add a file to the library but don't copy it in yet.
         self.lib = library.Library(':memory:', self.libdir)
@@ -42,7 +43,10 @@ class QueryTest(_common.TestCase):
 
     def add_item(self, filename=b'srcfile', templatefile=b'full.mp3'):
         itempath = os.path.join(self.libdir, filename)
-        shutil.copy(os.path.join(_common.RSRC, templatefile), itempath)
+        shutil.copy(
+            syspath(os.path.join(_common.RSRC, templatefile)),
+            syspath(itempath),
+        )
         item = library.Item.from_path(itempath)
         self.lib.add(item)
         return item, itempath