Corrupted .mscz file after power outage — is it possible to recover the score?

• Apr 23, 2025 - 15:44

Hi,
I was composing music in MuseScore 3 with a project open when my computer suddenly shut down unexpectedly. After restarting, I tried to reopen the file, but MuseScore says it can't read it. The file still shows as a normal .mscz file in Windows File Explorer (I save my projects in the "Music" folder on the C: drive), but it won’t open in MuseScore.

I looked for backups in the AppData\Local\MuseScore\MuseScore3 folder and also checked for hidden files (with a dot at the beginning of the name) in the same folder where I save my projects, but I couldn’t find any backup or previous version.

I also tried opening the file with WinRAR. It shows an error saying “Unexpected end of archive”, and the only thing visible is a folder named META-INF with a damaged container.xml file inside. I’ve attached a screenshot of the error from WinRAR in case it helps (it is in spanish btw, but is but it’s easy to translate with the phone).

I also tried using 7-Zip, but the file still can’t be opened properly.

Is there any way to recover at least part of the score? Maybe a tool that can repair this corrupted .mscz file?

I’m attaching the damaged file here in case someone is able to help me recover it. Thank you very much in advance for any advice or assistance.

Attachment Size
Airship_Frotress.mscz 55.37 KB
Screenshoot.jpg 99.77 KB

Comments

> Is there any way to recover at least part of the score?
I'm afraid not...
Have you checked the hidden .mscbackup folder?

In reply to by Scam Score

Once more

C:\Users\{YourUserAccount}\Documents\MuseScore4\Scores\.mscbackup
C:\Users\{YourUserAccount}\AppData\Local\MuseScore\MuseScore4

Pay attention to the dot in ".mscbackup". Also look in the "AppData". But this is for Windows.
And you should make the hidden folders visible.

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