how to open an MSCZ,File

• Jul 9, 2014 - 21:26

A composition somehow was saved as an MSCZ, File and not as Compressed MuseScore File and now will not open. Any information on how to salvage this work would be great. We have tried to rename the file, but it will not allow us to change the type of file.

Comments

Jojo-Schmitz

• Jul 9, 2014 - 21:32

See http://musescore.org/en/node/20367

nlgrocket

• Jul 10, 2014 - 00:05

Once again, how do you change the file from MSCZ,file to compressed MuseScore file. We are unable to rename the file so we are unable to follow the instructions that were given in the earlier post.

underquark

• Jul 10, 2014 - 01:18

If you cannot rename the file, then that is either a limitation of your operating system or of your knowledge of and ability to use the features of the operating system. If you mean that renaming it does not result in a usable file then that may be a MuseScore problem. Either way, if you post again and attach the file then someone may be able to open and convert it for you.

nlgrocket

• Jul 10, 2014 - 01:39

I would appreciate it if I were not attacked in forums for a lack or perceived lack of computer ability. Wow. After trying to rename the file multiple times, we saved the file to a flash drive and then opened the file on a different computer and we were able to do it. Not sure how an computer incompetent like me was able to come up with such a solution, but it finally did work. Thanks so much.

xavierjazz

• Jul 10, 2014 - 02:24

Text can be terse and thereby misinterpreted. Glad you are competent and glad you resolved your issue.:)

Marc Sabatella

• Jul 13, 2014 - 14:07

BTW, MuseScore never saves as ".MSCZ," *instead of* ".MSCZ". It's always both, and the ".MSCZ," version is only a backup that won't include any of your recent changes. You want the one ending in ".MSCZ" - no comma. SInce you referred to this as "compressed musescore score" rather than ".MSCZ", I am guessing you are using the Windows option to hide file extensions for known file type. This is very bad practice; first thing you should do is consult your Windows documentation (or search online) to turn that option off. Otherwise, you'll never see the ".MSCZ" that is supposed to be part of the filename, which leads to confusion over and over again in cases like this.

LioC

• Apr 9, 2018 - 06:11

Thank you :)

Skydog28

• Dec 12, 2018 - 16:45

Hey. I am also having the same issue. I have a lot of other scores saved as "Compressed MuseScore File (.mscz)" and they open fine. But for some reason, when I logged back on to my laptop this afternoon there are a bunch of files saved as "MSCZ, File" all of which I am unable to open? Please help ASAP.

Attachment	Size
.Choral Composition.mscz,	17.35 KB

Jojo-Schmitz

• Dec 12, 2018 - 16:59

These are (stilll!) backup files. If you reanny want to open them, you have to rename them so they lose the trailing comma, optionally but recommended also the leading dot and on Windows lose their hidden attribute.

The howto I linked to further up in this thread some 4 years ago still applies

Due to a bizarre bug here in the forum it is possible upload such a file, but not to download it.

Skydog28

• Dec 12, 2018 - 22:08

Hey jojo.
In my case, I can't see how these are backup files since I don't have any original file? This is the only file saved. Also I am very stuck because the issue is not in the renaming, as I can rename the file to "***.mscz" however the file type still remains "MSCZ, File" and cannot be opened.

Attachment	Size
Open 1st.PNG	2.55 KB
Open 2nd.PNG	6.64 KB

mike320

• Dec 12, 2018 - 23:04

You have not properly renamed the file. Right click the file and choose properties and then change the name there. When you click OK, window will ask you if you're sure you want to change the extension, tell it yes and you should be able to open the file.

Skydog28

• Dec 13, 2018 - 10:40

Tried renaming it from properties and same issue. Still will not open? Also did not get asked by windows if I want to change the extension.

Attachment	Size
Attachment.PNG	18.81 KB

Jojo-Schmitz

• Dec 13, 2018 - 08:31

Also you should teach your Windows explorer not to hide known extensions, a completly stupid and dangerous default setting and huge security hole, straight from Micrososoft.

Skydog28

• Dec 13, 2018 - 10:43

okay ill do some research and give that a go. thanks :)

Jojo-Schmitz

• Dec 13, 2018 - 12:12

all described in http://musescore.org/en/node/20367 ;-)

Skydog28

• Dec 13, 2018 - 12:42

Cheers

IntaForte

• Mar 10, 2020 - 14:03

rename the .mscz, at the end of the file name to .mscz just take of the comma and it will work. I use the AppImage version, oh here's your 'Choral Composition' ;)

Attachment	Size
Choral Composition.mscz	17.35 KB

hansjansson

• Mar 25, 2020 - 15:24

I am very thankful to be able to use this Music program, and I will see forward to use it in all spects. Hans J

Attachment	Size
Jag_formade_en_cirkel.mscz	19.18 KB

BlaXtarAscent

• Aug 30, 2024 - 14:20

Hey there, for all users on Windows (10) that have the same problem.

Find your .mscz, files.
.2. Select all of them and right-click into "Proprieties"
Uncheck "Hidden"
Click "Apply" and close the window.
Rename all your files to remove the dot from their name.
Run cmd.exe as administrator
use cd (Folder name) to get to the folder you want
e.g You have all your saves in C:/Users/Administrator/Musescore4/Backups
If you run cmd as Administrator, it'll start in system32.
Run "cd .." twice (This will bring you to C:/)
Type "cd ", then either paste the access path (copying from the file explorer and right-clicking into the cmd window) or doing it manually (made using the provided example)
cd Users
cd Administrator
cd Musescore4
cd Backups
Then, run the "ren *.mscz, *.mscz (Make sure you are in the right folder)
If you are experiencing issues, reply to this post with an image of what you have.