Wrong place to vent, I'm afraid. This is a user forum, and we only rarely see an official presence, here. You can use the Submit a Request link at the top of the page.

That being said, many people have updated the program with no problem, so the issue is probably at your end. Turning off virus protections is only while you download. Once you have downloaded the installer, you can turn the virus protection back on. I also remember seeing that even if the program said 2014, once 2014.5 was out, that's what you got. (I use Mac, not Windows, so that may not apply.)

How did the program "go bad?" When did that happen? Was it after a Windows update?

2014 came out 5 years ago. What Mike says. The 2014.5 update to 2014 came out about 3 years ago when there was still call in support—that does not exist anymore but you can still use the Submit a request link to contact MakeMusic directly. Finale 25 was released 2 years ago and 26 is due out before the end of the year.

2014.5 solves a lot of problems, especially on the Mac side—I don’t recall any specific new features for Windows. It installs as a separate application and does not overwrite 2014. You can compare the two versions and continue to use the one you like. The icons for the two apps look nearly identical so you have to be sure of which version you are using.

2014a is a straight upgrade to 2014 and will overwrite it.

Many apps require one to install with Admin privileges. If you can’t, you should talk to someone who can.

I have Windows 10 (had Windows 7 when I installed F 2014 and updates). I also have McAfee running on Windows 10 and had that and another virus-protection program running (at different times) on my Windows 7 machine. In spite of Finale's caution, I have never had my virus program interfere with installation of Finale products (or any others I can recall).

I know some have had difficulty trying to download programs using Chrome, but I do not use the Chrome browser. I have found installation of Finale and most other programs straightforward. I will admit, I tend to run things very "vanilla" on my machine(s). I do not try to over-customize either programs or operating systems.

The only unsolvable problems I have had in recent years with Finale has been that the 64-bit JW Plug-Ins seem to prevent my using the Addictive Drums VST, so I have been very, very sorry to miss using Jari's plug-ins.

The Chrome issue interferes with purchasing and downloading a paid upgrade only—an error is thrown but I forget what it is. Since 2014.5 is what you get when you download the current build of 2014 from your MM User account, it’s not an issue here. I have experienced it and the resolution is to use FireFox, Safari or Internet Explorer. It’s MakMusic’s web site and not Finale.

There are situations (usually corporate) where firewalls, antivirus and VPNs can restrict users from downloading, upgrading and installing any application—ever. Systems Administrators can certainly set these restrictions and, once set, they can be the only ones able to grant exceptions. I’ve worked for the phone company—you wanted anything installed, you made an appointment with IT to have it done since you were never allowed or able to do it ourself. In other companies, I was the one who had that control.

If you cannot install because you do not have Admin privileges, you need to talk to the person who does. If you set those restrictions, firewalls, VPNs etc., you may need to disable them temporarily to install. None of this has changed in the last 35 years. 

I’m pretty sure what we have here is PEBCAK.

I had to look that one up, Mike R. :-)