Attention Mac Users
Apple will release macOS 15 (Sequoia) on Monday, September 16, 2024.
Finale v27 is not compatible with Sequoia and will not be updated.

For more information:
macOS 15 Sequoia and Finale Notation Products
Disabling Automatic macOS Updates

Each version of Finale has its own directories. In most cases simply dragging the "Finale [version number if applicable]" application from your Applications folder (Mac) to the Trash or uninstalling from the Programs and Features section of the Control Panel (Windows) is a good, basic uninstallation process. For in-depth uninstallation methods, please choose your OS and version of Finale below and then follow the steps therein.

 

These steps will remove the Finale application. They will not remove the ARIA Player or the Garritan instruments for Finale.

 

Note: You do not have to uninstall previous versions of Finale before installing the latest version; however, you can uninstall previous versions before or after installing the latest version. Beginning with version 26, the Finale installer will offer an option to uninstall previous versions if it detects them.

We suggest keeping previous versions of Finale on your computer until you find you are no longer using them.

Caution: When following these steps, please make sure that you do not have any personal files (Finale or otherwise) saved in the folders (and sub-folders) you are deleting.

Please also make sure, if you are removing Finale 2011 or earlier and think you may want to reinstall it at some point, that you have the installation disc available. The installation disc is the only method of reinstalling versions of Finale from 2011 and earlier. Finale 2012 and later are downloadable for registered users of those later versions.

 

 

To access additional written instructions, click on the headings listed below.

 

 

 

You will need to be logged into an account that has administrative permissions to complete these steps.

  1. Close any open programs. This web browser can remain open.
  2. Hold down the WINDOWS key on your computer keyboard and type the letter "R" to open the Run dialog box.
  3. Type or copy & paste the following:
    • appwiz.cpl
  4. Click OK.
  5. In your Programs and Features list, right-click on "Finale", and then choose Uninstall.
  6. Complete the uninstallation process and close the Programs and Features window.
  7. Hold down the WINDOWS key and press the letter R at the same time to open the Run dialog box.
  8. Type or copy & paste the following:
    • C:\Program Files\MakeMusic\Finale
  9. Click OK.
  10. In the window that opens, delete the 26 or 27 folder inside it (right-click > Delete).
  11. Close this window; use WINDOWS key+R to open the Run dialog box again.
  12. Type or copy & paste the following:
    • %programdata%\MakeMusic
  13. Click OK.
  14. In the window that appears, find the "Finale 26" or "Finale 27" folder and delete it.
  15. Close this window; use the WINDOWS key+R shortcut to reopen the Run dialog box.
  16. Type or copy & paste the following:
    • %appdata%\MakeMusic
  17. Click OK.
  18. Find the "Finale 26" or Finale 27" folder in this location and delete it.
  19. Close this window.
  20. Right-click the Recycle Bin on your Desktop and select Empty Recycle Bin.
  21. Restart your computer.

If you would like to reinstall a previous version of Finale, you can certainly do so. Use the installation disc (Finale 2011 and earlier) or download the installer from your MakeMusic account (Finale 2012 and later).

 

 

You will need to be logged into an account that has administrative permissions to complete these steps.

  1. Close any open programs. This web browser can remain open.
  2. Hold down the WINDOWS key on your computer keyboard and type the letter "R" to open the Run dialog box.
  3. Type or copy & paste the following:
    • appwiz.cpl
  4. Click OK.
  5. In your Programs and Features list, right-click on "Finale", and then choose Uninstall.
  6. Complete the uninstallation process and close the Programs and Features window.
  7. Hold down the WINDOWS key and press the letter R at the same time to open the Run dialog box.
  8. Type or copy & paste the following:
    • C:\Program Files
  9. Click OK.
  10. In the window that opens, locate the Finale folder and delete it (right-click > Delete).
  11. Close this window; use WINDOWS key+R to open the Run dialog box again.
  12. Type or copy & paste the following:
    • %programdata%\MakeMusic
  13. Click OK.
  14. In the window that appears, find the "Finale" folder and delete it.
  15. Close this window; use the WINDOWS key+R shortcut to reopen the Run dialog box.
  16. Type or copy & paste the following:
    • %appdata%\MakeMusic
  17. Click OK.
  18. Find the "Finale" folder in this location and delete it.
  19. Close this window.
  20. Right-click the Recycle Bin on your Desktop and select Empty Recycle Bin.
  21. Restart your computer.

If you would like to reinstall a previous version of Finale, you can certainly do so. Use the installation disc (Finale 2011 and earlier) or download the installer from your MakeMusic account (Finale 2012 and later).

 

 

You will need to be logged into an account that has administrative permissions to complete these steps.

  1. Close any open programs. This web browser can remain open.
  2. Hold down the WINDOWS key on your computer keyboard and type the letter "R" to open the Run dialog box.
  3. Type or copy & paste the following:
    • appwiz.cpl
  4. Click OK.
  5. In your Programs and Features list, right-click on "Finale 2014.5", and then choose Uninstall.
  6. Complete the uninstallation process and close the Programs and Features window.
  7. Hold down the WINDOWS key and press the letter R at the same time to open the Run dialog box.
  8. Type or copy & paste the following:
    • C:\Program Files (x86)
  9. Click OK.
  10. Locate the "Finale 2014.5" folder in the window that appears and delete it (right-click > Delete).
  11. Close this window; use WINDOWS key+R to open the Run dialog box again.
  12. Type or copy & paste the following:
    • %programdata%\MakeMusic
  13. Click OK.
  14. Locate the "Finale 2014.5" folder in the window that appears and delete it (right-click > Delete).
  15. Close this window; use the WINDOWS key+R shortcut to reopen the Run dialog box.
  16. Type or copy & paste the following:
    • %appdata%\MakeMusic
  17. Click OK.
  18. Find the "Finale 2014.5" folder in this location and delete it.
  19. Close this window.
  20. Right-click the Recycle Bin on your Desktop and select Empty Recycle Bin.
  21. Restart your computer.

If you would like to reinstall a previous version of Finale, you can certainly do so. Use the installation disc (Finale 2011 and earlier) or download the installer from your MakeMusic account (Finale 2012 and later).

 

 

You will need to be logged into an account that has administrative permissions to complete these steps.

  1. Close any open programs. This web browser can remain open.
  2. Hold down the WINDOWS key on your computer keyboard and type the letter "R" to open the Run dialog box.
  3. Type or copy & paste the following:
    • appwiz.cpl
  4. Click OK.
  5. In your Programs and Features list, right-click on "Finale 2014d", and then choose Uninstall.
  6. Complete the uninstallation process and close the Programs and Features window.
  7. Hold down the WINDOWS key and press the letter R at the same time to open the Run dialog box.
  8. Type or copy & paste the following:
    • C:\Program Files (x86)
  9. Click OK.
  10. Locate the "Finale 2014" folder in the window that appears and delete it (right-click > Delete).
  11. Close this window; use WINDOWS key+R to open the Run dialog box again.
  12. Type or copy & paste the following:
    • %programdata%\MakeMusic
  13. Click OK.
  14. Locate the "Finale 2014" folder in the window that appears and delete it (right-click > Delete).
  15. Close this window; use the WINDOWS key+R shortcut to reopen the Run dialog box.
  16. Type or copy & paste the following:
    • %appdata%\MakeMusic
  17. Click OK.
  18. Find the "Finale 2014" folder in this location and delete it.
  19. Close this window.
  20. Right-click the Recycle Bin on your Desktop and select Empty Recycle Bin.
  21. Restart your computer.

If you would like to reinstall a previous version of Finale, you can certainly do so. Use the installation disc (Finale 2011 and earlier) or download the installer from your MakeMusic account (Finale 2012 and later).

 

 

Note: The steps below are designed to capture the majority of components in legacy versions. For some older versions, files/folders may not be present.

 

You will need to be logged into an account that has administrative permissions to complete these steps.

  1. Close any open programs. This web browser can remain open.
  2. Hold down the WINDOWS key on your computer keyboard and type the letter "R" to open the Run dialog box.
  3. Type or copy & paste the following:
    • appwiz.cpl
  4. Click OK.
  5. In your Programs and Features list, right-click on "Finale [version number]", and then choose Uninstall.
  6. Complete the uninstallation process and close the Programs and Features window.
  7. Hold down the WINDOWS key and press the letter R at the same time to open the Run dialog box.
  8. Type or copy & paste the following:
    • C:\Program Files (x86)
  9. Locate the "Finale [version number]" folder in the window that appears and delete it (right-click > Delete).
  10. Close this window; use WINDOWS key+R to open the Run dialog box again.
  11. Type or copy & paste the following:
    • %programdata%\MakeMusic
  12. Click OK.
  13. Locate the "Finale [version number]" folder in the window that appears and delete it (right-click > Delete).
  14. Close this window; use the WINDOWS key+R shortcut to reopen the Run dialog box.
  15. Type or copy & paste the following:
    • %appdata%\MakeMusic
  16. Click OK.
  17. Locate the "Finale [version number]" folder in the window that appears and delete it (right-click > Delete).
  18. Close this window.
  19. Right-click the Recycle Bin on your Desktop and select Empty Recycle Bin.
  20. Restart your computer.

If you would like to reinstall a previous version of Finale, you can certainly do so. Use the installation disc (Finale 2011 and earlier) or download the installer from your MakeMusic account (Finale 2012 and later).

 

 

Mac

 

 

You will need to be logged into an account that has administrative rights to complete these steps.

  1. Close any open programs. This web browser can remain open.
  2. In the Finder program toolbar, chose Go > Go To FolderGoToFolder2.gif
  3. In the Go To Folder field type:

/Library/Application Support/MakeMusic

  1. Press RETURN.
  2. Delete the "Finale 26" or "Finale v27" folder from the "MakeMusic" folder in the window that appears. Then close the window.
  3. Reopen the Go To Folder dialog box (Go > Go To Folder).
  4. Type in...

~/Library/Application Support/MakeMusic

  1. Make sure that the tilde symbol (~) is included in the directory depicted above; press RETURN.
  2. Delete the "Finale 26" or "Finale 27" folder from the folder window that appears.
  3. Open the Go To Folder window again (Go > Go To Folder).
  4. Type in...

~/Library/Preferences

  1. Make sure that the tilde symbol (~) is included in the directory depicted above; press RETURN.
  2. Locate the file called "com.makemusic.finale[26 or 27].fprf" and "com.makemusic.finale[26 or 27].plist and move these to the Trash.
  3. Open your computer's Applications folder (Go > Applications).
  4. Locate the "Finale" application and move it to the Trash.
  5. CTRL+click the Trash icon in the Dock and select Empty Trash.
  6. Restart your computer.

If you would like to reinstall a previous version of Finale, you can certainly do so. Use the installation disc (Finale 2011 and earlier) or download the installer from your MakeMusic account (Finale 2012 and later).

 

 

You will need to be logged into an account that has administrative rights to complete these steps.

  1. Close any open programs. This web browser can remain open.
  2. In the Finder program toolbar, chose Go > Go To FolderGoToFolder2.gif
  3. In the Go To Folder field type:

/Library/Application Support/MakeMusic

  1. Press RETURN.
  2. Delete the "Finale" folder from "MakeMusic" folder window that appears.
  3. Reopen the Go To Folder dialog box (Go > Go To Folder).
  4. Type in...

~/Library/Application Support/MakeMusic

  1. Make sure that the tilde symbol (~) is included in the directory depicted above; press RETURN.
  2. Delete the "Finale" folder from the folder window that appears.
  3. Open the Go To Folder window again (Go > Go To Folder).
  4. Type in...

~/Library/Preferences

  1. Make sure that the tilde symbol (~) is included in the directory depicted above; press RETURN.
  2. Locate the file called "com.makemusic.finale.fprf" and move it to the Trash.
  3. Open your computer's Applications folder (Go > Applications).
  4. Locate the "Finale" application and move it to the Trash.
  5. CTRL+click the Trash icon in the Dock and select Empty Trash.
  6. Restart your computer.

If you would like to reinstall a previous version of Finale, you can certainly do so. Use the installation disc (Finale 2011 and earlier) or download the installer from your MakeMusic account (Finale 2012 and later).

 

 

You will need to be logged into an account that has administrative rights to complete these steps.

  1. Close any open programs. This web browser can remain open.
  2. In the Finder program toolbar, chose Go > Go To Folder.GoToFolder2.gif
  3. In the Go To Folder field type:

/Library/Application Support/MakeMusic

  1. Press RETURN.
  2. Delete the "Finale 2014.5" folder from "MakeMusic" folder window that appears.
  3. Reopen the Go To Folder dialog box (Go > Go To Folder).
  4. Type in...

~/Library/Application Support/MakeMusic

  1. Make sure that the tilde symbol (~) is included in the directory depicted above; press RETURN.
  2. Delete the "Finale 2014.5" folder from the folder window that appears.
  3. Open the Go To Folder window again (Go > Go To Folder).
  4. Type in...

~/Library/Preferences

  1. Make sure that the tilde symbol (~) is included in the directory depicted above; press RETURN.
  2. Locate the file called "Finale 2014.5 Preferences" and move it to the Trash.
  3. Open your computer's Applications folder (Go > Applications).
  4. Locate the "Finale 2014.5" application and move it to the Trash.
  5. CTRL+click the Trash icon in the Dock and select Empty Trash.
  6. Restart your computer.

If you would like to reinstall a previous version of Finale, you can certainly do so. Use the installation disc (Finale 2011 and earlier) or download the installer from your MakeMusic account (Finale 2012 and later).

 

 

You will need to be logged into an account that has administrative rights to complete these steps.

  1. Close any open programs. This web browser can remain open.
  2. In the Finder program toolbar, chose Go > Go To Folder.GoToFolder2.gif
  3. In the Go To Folder field type:

/Library/Application Support/MakeMusic

  1. Press RETURN.
  2. Delete the "Finale 2014" folder from "MakeMusic" folder window that appears.
  3. Reopen the Go To Folder dialog box (Go > Go To Folder).
  4. Type in...

~/Library/Application Support/MakeMusic

  1. Make sure that the tilde symbol (~) is included in the directory depicted above; press RETURN.
  2. Delete the "Finale 2014" folder from the folder window that appears.
  3. Open the Go To Folder window again (Go > Go To Folder).
  4. Type in...

~/Library/Preferences

  1. Make sure that the tilde symbol (~) is included in the directory depicted above; press RETURN.
  2. Locate the file called "Finale 2014 Preferences" and move it to the Trash.
  3. Open your computer's Applications folder (Go > Applications).
  4. Locate the "Finale 2014" application and move it to the Trash.
  5. CTRL+click the Trash icon in the Dock and select Empty Trash.
  6. Restart your computer.

If you would like to reinstall a previous version of Finale, you can certainly do so. Use the installation disc (Finale 2011 and earlier) or download the installer from your MakeMusic account (Finale 2012 and later).

 

 

Note: The steps below are designed to capture the majority of components in legacy versions. For some older versions, files/folders may not be present.

 

You will need to be logged into an account that has administrative rights to complete these steps.

  1. Close any open programs. This web browser can remain open.
  2. In the Finder program toolbar, chose Go > Go To Folder.GoToFolder2.gif
  3. In the Go To Folder field type:

/Library/Application Support/MakeMusic

  1. Press RETURN.
  2. Delete the "Finale [your version number here]" folder from "MakeMusic" folder window that appears.
  3. Reopen the Go To Folder dialog box (Go > Go To Folder).
  4. Type in...

~/Library/Application Support/MakeMusic

  1. Make sure that the tilde symbol (~) is included in the directory depicted above; press RETURN.
  2. Delete the "Finale [your version number here]" folder from the folder window that appears.
  3. Open the Go To Folder window again (Go > Go To Folder).
  4. Type in...

~/Library/Preferences

  1. Make sure that the tilde symbol (~) is included in the directory depicted above; press RETURN.
  2. Locate the file called "Finale [your version number here] Preferences" and move it to the Trash.
  3. Open your computer's Applications folder (Go > Applications).
  4. Locate the "Finale [your version number here]" application and move it to the Trash.
  5. CTRL+click the Trash icon in the Dock and select Empty Trash.
  6. Restart your computer.

If you would like to reinstall a previous version of Finale, you can certainly do so. Use the installation disc (Finale 2011 and earlier) or download the installer from your MakeMusic account (Finale 2012 and later).