Converting from 2014.5 to V26

[brent3544]

Running Finale v 26.2.2.242 on Win 10 PC. I upgraded from Finale 2014.5 to Finale ver 26 a year or so ago. All is OK except that ... on the right click "open with" drop-down menu for files, the old F 2014.5 appears, not the new F v26. I could uninstall 2014.5, but on this Finale forum it's recommend to keep 2014.5 as a backup to open old files, work around v26 bugs, etc. 

I often want to open MIDI files with F v26, but right click (to see "open with") only gives me the option of using F 2014.5 ,,, v26 is not in the list. When I look at settings > "set up the default app by file type" F 26 is not an option for midi, mid, etc ... only F 2014.5 appears in list. I can not see any "browse" or "look for other apps" option. F v26 is, however the default for Finale files (mus, musx, etc)

Right now, I'm just opening midi files with 2014.5, then saving the file, then opening that saved file with v26. I sure would like to open them directly with v26.

Does anybody have any ideas about how to deal with this? I am not familiar with the registry editor and I think editing the registry manually is too dangerous for me to attempt.

- Brent

[Peter S.]

Hi Brent,

why don't you open Fin26 first and then open your MIDI file from there?
Peter

[zuill]

Also, if you have the v26 launch icon on the desktop, you can drag the MIDI file there and v26 should open it.

Zuill

[motet]

Right-click on a .musx file. Pick "Open with...". In the ensuing dialog, click "More apps":

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You'll get a scrolling list. If you see Finale 26, pick it and check "Always use this app" . If not, scroll to the bottom and click "Look for another app":

image1.png

Finale 26 should be in C:/Program files/Finale 26. Open that folder and select "finale.exe". As before, pick "Always use this app".

[ebiggs1]

I kept 2014.5 around for a long time. I found out, at least in my case, it is not necessary. I have since, about a year ago, uninstalled 2014.5 from my Win 10 machine. I think you are safe to get rid if it. Besides if you do happen to see some situation, doubtful, that requires 2014.5, you can re-install it.

The only real problem I have with 26 and Win 10 is the print box. It doesn't show up until you print something. I set it up to print a PDF first and then all my printer show up as they should. MM knows about this and blames Microsoft. MS says it is MM's fault. At any rate MM won't, or can't, help or fix it.

[ebiggs1]

One further comment, I have been really happy with Finale 26.2 and Perfect Layout working together. Are they 100%? No, but pretty darn good together.

[motet]

I kept 2014.5 around for a long time. I found out, at least in my case, it is not necessary. I have since, about a year ago, uninstalled 2014.5 from my Win 10 machine. I think you are safe to get rid if it.

It's true that version 26 can open files created in old versions, but there's always the danger of subtle differences in this buggy program. 2014.5 to 26 in particular involves the stacked articulations, which seem half-baked and problematic. In my case, I have pieces with thousands of measures and over a dozen parts, so converting and making sure all is well would be a major undertaking, so I retain the old versions instead in case I want to make changes.

[ebiggs1]

I agree but like I said

"I found out, at least in my case, it is not necessary."

Finale 26.2 and Perfect Layout have been good to me, except printing.

I really think MM is in trouble. I don't think they have the ability or the possibly the will to fix certain bugs.