1. Introduction: What's the difference between backup and auto-save files?
Backup Files:
Each time you save a document, the prior version of the file you saved is preserved as a backup. Therefore, the backup is always one version behind your current file (in case you just saved something you shouldn't have). Keep in mind that the first time you save a file, no backup is made, because there isn't a previous version to preserve. Similarly, no backup is made when you perform a Save-As function. Backup files for Mac contain the same .MUSX extension as standard notation documents, while Windows back up files contain the .BAKX extension instead.
Auto-save files:
If you tend to forget to save your work to your hard disk every so often, Finale’s Auto-save command is a good safety net. When this feature is on, Finale updates a second copy (not the one you’re working on) at regular intervals. With this option, you can specify how often Finale should save your work to the duplicate copy of the file you have open. It is important to note: this feature does not save your changes when you exit from Finale. Be sure to save changes to your file before you exit the program. Once you save your document, any existing auto-save files are automatically deleted. Similarly to backup files, Windows auto-save files contain the extension .ASV while Mac auto-save files use the default .MUSX extension.
2. So where can I find what I'm searching for?
To see the location on your device where backup or auto-save files are being saved to, you will need to check Finale's Preferences - Folders dialog box. You can access this dialog box by choosing Finale > Preferences and select Folders (Mac), or Edit > Preferences and select Folders (Windows).
Finale's folder preferences on Windows
Finale's folder preferences on Mac
3. Navigating to that folder
On Windows:
1. Select the File Explorer icon from your taskbar. A new File Explorer window opens.
2. Select the search text box in the top-right corner of the window.
3. Type the name of the folder you are looking for.
4. Click the magnifying glass icon.
5. Results will appear below the search box.
6. Select the folder you are looking for.
7. The folder will open in File Explorer.
On Mac:
1. Select the Finder application from your Mac's Doc. A new Finder window appears.
2. Select the magnifying glass in the top-right corner of the window.
3. Type the name of the folder you are looking for.
4. Press Enter.
5. Results will appear below the search box.
6. Select the folder you are looking for.
7. The folder will open in Finder.
Important Note:
If you plan on continuing to work out of the backup or auto-save file, it is recommended to move it out of the backup or auto-save folder and into the location on your computer where your main Finale files are stored.
4. Opening the file (Windows Only)
On Windows devices only, you will need to rename the file's extension before it can be opened properly by Finale. To do so, you must first make sure that Windows is set to show file extensions. To do this on Windows 10:
1. Launch File Explorer, then click on the "View" tab
2. Check the "File Name Extensions" box.
To show file extensions on Windows 11:
1. Open File Explorer
2. Select View > Show > File Name Extensions.
Once the file extensions are visible within File Explorer, then you can rename the file and change the file extension from .bakx to .musx. To rename files:
Click on a file or folder to select it, and then click Rename from the Home menu at the top of File Explorer.