Print them. Egyptian papyrus is still around, thousands of years later. You can't say that about any other storage method, except clay tablets...

Export them to MusicXML format. When you need one of those scores, import the XML file to Dorico or Sibelius. I also recommend exporting to pdf files because there can be layout differences from one notation software to another.

Joel, I fully agree. I don't have the time to export my hundreds of files I made from 1994 till now and to correct all the faults ana to learn mew software.
Please Make Music: we want a better solution!!

I have been using Finale since January 1995.  Over the years, many friends tempted me to cross over to Sibelius, but despite Finale’s steep learning curve and quirks, I stuck with it. I have thousands of Finale files.  I have absolutely nothing against Dorico Pro, but the effort involved in migrating my Finale files to it is immense.

I believe a solution would be to do away with the re-authorisation requirement.  Since the product has reached end-of-life, there is no financial gain in retaining it.  Loyal legitimate users like me would be able to re-install the product on a new machine when their current machine breaks down or needs to be upgraded or changed.  This should be given serious consideration.

MakeMusic has told us it will be a year before any of these doomsday scenarios play out. 

I collaborate with a number of people who do not use Finale via MusicXML. It's not as bad as some might think. 

Slightly out of this thread, but Mike H, I just DLed Dorico. Going through their registration was only slightly less onerous than applying for a full-access pass to the Pentagon...

Just announced on the Finalemusic.com site:

Updates

8/27/2024 @ 5:30 PM ET:

Clarifications on the initial announcement

1.  Finale authorization will remain available indefinitely: Please note that future OS changes can still impact your ability to use Finale on new devices. 
2. Finale v27 to be included with Dorico Pro Crossgrades: We are currently working on a solution for all customers who have purchased or intend to purchase a Dorico Pro crossgrade to be able to download Finale v27. This will ensure that you can export your Finale files using MusicXML 4.0, the most robust version of MusicXML available. Thank you for your patience, we will provide more information soon.

 

Just think what Finale could have been like, if they had been this responsive to the user base all along…

Good morning:

I have been a Finale user for over 20 years and I have all my life's work in files on your platform. It did not seem logical, responsible or just appropriate to throw away all those years of work and learning, especially when you have a license to use it. Your first statement provoked an indignation that is impossible to convey in words. We bought software that we will not be able to use in a year? (Considering that, of course, the equipment can break down, be lost or be stolen). It is understandable that after a few years and consecutive operating systems, all software has incompatibilities, but until that time, and under the responsibility of each user, I consider that the appropriate thing would be to be able to install the latest version for those of us who have a license and have the possibility of using it on any other new machine (even with a new or old OS). We celebrate the rectification that you have made on your part of something that was totally absurd and we hope to be able to continue using Finale, which was excellent in all aspects, for many more years. In my case, and as I said before, I have a lifetime's work on your platform.

I wish you a bright future

David

Yeah, this is exactly my concern too.  I only have 10 years of intermittent work, but I am livid at the thought of the time it will take to potentially hunt everything down and convert it.

For all the good it will do, I contacted support and encouraged them to work with Steinberg to make Dorico able to read Finale files. I should have thought of Sibelius too--that might be an easier transition for some users.

There's also a petition going around to persuade MakeMusic to release Finale as open source.  That would also solve the issue.

Yes, my problem is that all my work is highly detailed, with indications, graphs and even smart lines made with images internally, so in the export, the fine work would be ruined, the only possibility is to export to PDF and start again with other software..... 

I have signed the change.org petition with the appropriate financial contribution.