How to keep .mscbackup directories and files from being saved permanently
Is there a way to keep the .mscbackup files from automatically generating a permanent directory and saved backup files. I see the need for a backup while working on a score. But once the work is done and the score is saved, I do not see the need for a backup directory and copy becoming a permanent addition to my hard drive. I now have hundreds of unnecessary directories on my computer.
Comments
Delete them manually. You definitely don't want MuS to delete your backups ... immediately before your work is corrupted. Lots more work to re-enter a whole piece than to delete the backup folder once you know you no longer need it.
In reply to Delete them manually. You… by TheHutch
I definitely DO want musescore to delete the backups after I have finished working on the file and have saved it.
Yes, it's good to have an automatic backup in the not-that-uncommon case of a program crash, power surge, etc. But when the user's work is complete and the file is saved, there is no need for a back up file and backup directory to be created. I now have thousands on my computer. Requiring manual deletion is an incomplete feature. These files and directories, once their work is done, should be automatically deleted.
In reply to Delete them manually. You… by TheHutch
To "TheHutch" ... How patronizing.
In reply to How patronizing. by DiegoInSeneca
I agree, the unwanted creation of permanently installed backup directories is patronizing. It creates a lot of unnecessary work by the user to uninstall them in order to clean up the directories. Thank you for your support.
It does seem unnecessary. Maybe, as a workaround, you could write a small script file which would traverse down a directory structure and delete them.
A request on GitHub would also be worth raising if there isn't one already.
In reply to It does seem unnecessary… by yonah_ag
I don't write scripts. I did request it on GitHub and got the reply that in their opinion, it's a better to leave the unwanted files an directories on my computer.
In reply to I don't write scripts. I did… by DGT
Are you running MS on Windows or on a different OS?
In reply to Are you running MS on… by yonah_ag
Running on Windows.
In reply to Running on Windows. by DGT
I'll have a look at writing a script.
In reply to Running on Windows. by DGT
The details for a script, (Window batch file), can be found here:
https://superuser.com/questions/546213/remove-folders-maching-pattern-r…
If you save the file into your Musescore scores home folder then that's where it will start.
I don't want to add a file for you to download because if I make any typos then it could misbehave.
Here's a copy of my script.
The Rem statement comments out a line to stop it running.
The Pause keeps the script window open so that you can see the results.
I've used a cd to force the starting point.
rmbackup.bat
![rm.png]( "rm.png")
I would recommend working with a small test hierarchy first, rather than your main Musescore folder structure just in case something goes wrong.