MuseScore defaults to opening multiple windows on Mac, but you can change this

When you launch MuseScore on macOS, it often opens with multiple windows — the start center, a blank score, and sometimes previous files. If you want it to open as one clean window, you can adjust this in the preferences. The setting is called Start Center, and turning it off makes MuseScore launch directly into the editor instead of showing you the welcome screen first.

This change takes effect the next time you open MuseScore. It does not affect files you already have open or change how the app behaves once it is running — it only controls what you see when you first launch it.

Key Takeaways

  • Open MuseScore, go to MuseScore menu, then Preferences, then General, and uncheck "Start Center" to skip the welcome window.
  • After you disable the Start Center, MuseScore will open directly to a blank score or the last file you were working on.
  • This setting does not close any files that are already open in other windows — it only changes what appears when you first launch the app.
  • If you want to see the Start Center again later, you can re-enable it the same way.

Step-by-step: Turning off the Start Center

Open MuseScore on your Mac. Once the app is running, click the MuseScore menu in the top-left corner of your screen (next to the Apple logo). A dropdown menu will appear.

From that dropdown, select Preferences. A new window will open showing different preference categories on the left side. Click General in that list. You will now see several checkboxes and options.

Look for the checkbox labeled Start Center. If it is checked (has a checkmark), click it once to uncheck it. Then click OK or Apply at the bottom of the window to save the change. Close the preferences window and quit MuseScore completely.

The next time you open MuseScore, it will skip the Start Center and open directly to either a blank score or the last file you had open, depending on your other settings.

What happens after you disable the Start Center

With the Start Center turned off, MuseScore launches faster because it skips the welcome screen. Instead, you go straight to the main editor window. If you have not opened any files yet in this session, you will see a blank score ready to work on.

If you had files open the last time you closed MuseScore, the app may reopen those files automatically (this depends on another setting called Reopen last opened file, also in Preferences under General). You can control whether this happens separately from the Start Center setting.

Turning the Start Center back on

If you change your mind and want to see the Start Center again when you launch MuseScore, the process is identical. Open MuseScore, go to MuseScore menu > Preferences > General, and check the Start Center box again. Click OK and the next time you launch the app, the Start Center will reappear.

There is no penalty for switching this setting back and forth. It only affects what you see on launch, not how your files or projects are saved.

Related settings that affect how MuseScore opens

In the same General preferences window, you will find Reopen last opened file. If this is checked, MuseScore will automatically open whatever file you were working on when you last quit the app. If it is unchecked, you will get a blank score instead.

You can also control whether MuseScore opens multiple windows for multiple files or uses tabs within a single window. This setting is called Use single palette and is also in the General preferences. Experiment with these settings to find the launch behavior that works best for your workflow.

If MuseScore still opens multiple windows

Sometimes MuseScore opens more than one window even after you disable the Start Center. This usually happens if you have multiple files set to reopen or if you have the app set to restore your previous session. Check the Reopen last opened file setting — if multiple files were open when you quit, they may all reopen at once.

If you want only one file to open, make sure only one file is open when you quit MuseScore. Then the next time you launch it, only that file (or a blank score) will appear. You can also manually close extra windows once the app opens — this does not affect the preference settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does disabling the Start Center delete my recent files list?

No. Your recent files are stored separately and remain available. You can still access them through File > Recent Files in the menu, even with the Start Center turned off. The Start Center is just the visual welcome screen — disabling it does not affect your file history.

Will this setting work on older versions of MuseScore?

The Start Center setting exists in MuseScore 3 and later. If you are using MuseScore 2, the preferences menu is slightly different, but the concept is the same — look for a "Start Center" or "Show start center" option in Edit > Preferences > General.

Can I make MuseScore open a specific file every time I launch it?

Not directly through preferences. However, you can create a shortcut or alias to a specific file and double-click that to open MuseScore with that file. Alternatively, enable "Reopen last opened file" and make sure that file is the last one you have open when you quit.

What if I want the Start Center but only one window total?

Keep the Start Center enabled. The Start Center itself is a single window, and you can open files from there one at a time. This gives you the welcome screen without the clutter of multiple windows opening automatically.