Created on - Last updated on

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

Screenshot 2024-05-23 at 11.44.05 AM.png

Windows users may encounter this error message when attempting to save a file. There are a few methods that can work to solve this issue, which pertains to either Finale's saving mechanism or the location to which you are saving the file. First, let's make sure you can save your changes.

 

How to save the file in the meantime

Since you will at some point need to close Finale to troubleshoot the issue, here is a workaround for making sure you've saved your changed. Note: if you don't mind losing any saved changes, feel free to just skip to the next section.

  1. Dismiss the error message by clicking OK.
  2. Select File > Save As.
  3. Choose a different name for this file and save it somewhere you'll remember, such as the Desktop, Documents folder, etc.
  4. Keep Finale open for the next set of steps.

 

First Troubleshooting Method: Finding a Backup

Note: Each time you save a particular document, the prior version of the file that 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.

  1. Open the File Explorer application.
  2. Open the Documents folder.
  3. Open the Finale Files folder.
  4. Open the Backups folder.
  5. Locate your file and double-click it to launch it in Finale.
  6. Once your file is open in Finale, make a change in it  (e.g. add an expression with the Expression Tool, or add a note with the Simple Entry Tool).
  7. Press CTRL+S or select File > Save. Do you get the error message?
  8. Make sure to save a new copy of this file for future use by selecting File > Save As and choosing a name and save location outside of the Backups folder. 
  9. Close Finale and then relaunch it.
  10. Open the file you saved as by selecting File > Open or choosing Open on the Launch Window.
  11. Make a change to the file (e.g. add an expression with the Expression Tool, or add a note with the Simple Entry Tool).
  12. Press CTRL+S or select File > Save. Do you get the error message?

 

Second Troubleshooting Method: Clearing Preferences

Finale v25, v26, and v27

  1. Select Edit > Preferences.
  2. Choose Reset All Preferences.
  3. When warned about Finale shutting down after you reset preferences, select Yes.
  4. If you have your file open, when asked about changes, select No, since you already saved as.
  5. Finale will quit. 
  6. Relaunch Finale.
  7. Open the file you saved as by selecting File > Open or choosing Open on the Launch Window.
  8. Make a change to the file (e.g. add an expression with the Expression Tool, or add a note with the Simple Entry Tool).
  9. Press CTRL+S or select File > Save. Do you get the error message?

 

Finale 2014.5 and earlier

  1. Exit Finale.
  2. Hold down your Windows key and press the letter R to open the Run dialog box.
  3. Type "%appdata%" (without quotation marks) and click OK.
  4. Navigate to MakeMusic\Finale [your version number].
  5. Find and delete these two files:
    • FINALE.INI
    • FINMIDI.ini
  6. Empty your Recycle Bin.
  7. Restart your computer.
  8. Relaunch Finale.
  9. Open the file you saved as by selecting File > Open or choosing Open on the Launch Window.
  10. Make a change to the file (e.g. add an expression with the Expression Tool, or add a note with the Simple Entry Tool).
  11. Press CTRL+S or select File > Save. Do you get the error message?

 

Third Troubleshooting Method: OneDrive/Cloud Services

On many Windows computers, OneDrive is enabled. OneDrive can sometimes have your folders (including the Desktop and Documents folder) sync to the OneDrive. Cloud services like OneDrive store files online and remove local copies from the computer, making it difficult at times for Finale to reliably save and open files. 

  • If you know you were saving directly to a Cloud service, try saving the file not to the Cloud service, or try disabling the Cloud service.
    • If you are not sure how to disable the Cloud service and it is not OneDrive, contact their support team or check out their help resources for ways to disable the service entirely.
    • If you don't want to entirely disable the Cloud service, you need to find a way to disable it for your Desktop/Document folders.
  • If you think OneDrive may be enabled, follow the steps below to disable it.
    • OneDrive cannot be disabled for the Desktop and Documents folder without fully becoming disabled. 

Disabling OneDrive from Syncing your Computer

For more on this process and your options, see Microsoft's instructions (and contact them if you have further questions about OneDrive).

  1. Select the OneDrive blue/white cloud in your notification area (bottom right corner of the computer screen, may need to click the up ⌃ arrow to expand your options) to show the OneDrive pop-up.
    I can't see any OneDrive icons - Microsoft Support
  2. Select the OneDrive Help and Settings icon ⚙️ then select Settings.
  3. Go to the Account tab.
  4. Select Unlink this PC.
  5. Close this window.
  6. Close Finale if it is open, and then relaunch it.
  7. Open the file you saved as by selecting File > Open or choosing Open on the Launch Window.
  8. Make a change to the file (e.g. add an expression with the Expression Tool, or add a note with the Simple Entry Tool).
  9. Press CTRL+S or select File > Save. Do you get the error message?
    • Yes, I get the error message: If you are using Finale v27, select Submit a Request at the top of this page to submit a ticket to our Support team.
    • No, I do not get the error message: Problem solved!
Follow