Delete a project by right-clicking it in the start center or removing its file from your computer

When you open MuseScore, the start center shows all your saved projects. To remove one, right-click its name or thumbnail and select Delete. MuseScore will ask you to confirm, then move the file to your computer's trash or recycle bin. You can also delete projects by finding the file on your hard drive and deleting it there, though using MuseScore's built-in delete option is simpler because it handles the confirmation step for you.

The delete action is permanent once you confirm it — the file goes to trash, not to a separate MuseScore archive. If you change your mind within a few minutes, you can usually recover it from your trash or recycle bin before it is permanently removed.

Key Takeaways

  • Right-click a project name in the MuseScore start center and select Delete to remove it from your recent projects list.
  • MuseScore will ask you to confirm the deletion before the file is moved to your computer's trash.
  • Deleted files go to your system trash or recycle bin, so you can recover them shortly after deletion if needed.
  • You can also delete projects by finding the file on your hard drive and deleting it manually, though the start center method is faster.
  • Closing a project without saving does not delete it — you must use the delete function to remove a saved project.

Delete a project from the start center

When you launch MuseScore, the start center displays thumbnails and names of your recent projects. Find the project you want to remove, then right-click directly on its name or thumbnail image. A small menu will appear with several options, including Delete.

Click Delete. MuseScore will show a confirmation dialog asking "Are you sure?" — this is your last chance to cancel. Click the confirmation button (usually labeled Delete or Yes) to proceed. The project file is now moved to your computer's trash or recycle bin and no longer appears in the start center.

If the project does not appear in the start center but you know it exists on your computer, you may need to scroll down in the start center window or search for it using your file manager instead.

Delete a project using your file manager

MuseScore projects are saved as files on your hard drive with the extension .mscz (for MuseScore 3 and later) or .mscx (for MuseScore 4). You can delete them the same way you delete any other file. Open your file manager (File Explorer on Windows, Finder on Mac, or your Linux file manager) and navigate to the folder where you store your music files.

By default, MuseScore saves projects in your Documents folder under a subfolder called MuseScore or MuseScore Projects, though you may have chosen a different location. Once you find the project file, right-click it and select Delete or Move to Trash. The file will be removed from the folder and placed in your system trash.

This method works if the start center is not showing the project you want to delete, or if you prefer to manage your files outside of MuseScore. The result is the same — the file is moved to trash, not permanently erased.

Recover a deleted project from trash

If you delete a project by mistake, you have a short window to recover it before your computer permanently removes it. Open your trash or recycle bin (usually found on your desktop or in your file manager) and look for the project file. Right-click it and select Restore, Put Back, or Recover — the exact wording depends on your operating system.

The file will be returned to its original location, and you can open it in MuseScore again. Most operating systems keep files in trash for 30 days before permanently deleting them, though some systems may empty trash automatically sooner. If you do not see the file in trash, it may have already been permanently removed, and recovery becomes much more difficult.

Difference between closing and deleting a project

Closing a project is not the same as deleting it. When you close a project in MuseScore — by clicking the X button on the project tab or selecting File > Close — the file remains saved on your computer. It simply stops being displayed in the current MuseScore window. You can reopen it later from the start center or by using File > Open.

Deleting a project removes the file itself from your hard drive. Once deleted and confirmed, the project no longer exists in MuseScore's start center or anywhere else on your computer (until you recover it from trash). If you want to keep a project but just do not want to see it in your recent list, closing it is the right choice. If you want to remove it completely, use the delete function.

Why a project might not delete

If you try to delete a project and nothing happens, the file may be open in MuseScore or another program. Close the project in MuseScore first, then try deleting it again. On Windows, you may also see an error if another program has the file locked — restarting your computer usually fixes this.

Another reason deletion might fail is if you do not have permission to delete files in that folder. This is rare on personal computers but common on shared or work machines. If you see a permission error, contact your system administrator or try moving the file to a different folder that you own before deleting it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I undo a deletion after I confirm it?

No, once you confirm the deletion in MuseScore, the action cannot be undone within the program. However, the file goes to your system trash or recycle bin, where you can recover it for about 30 days. Open your trash, find the file, and restore it to get it back.

What happens to my edits if I delete a project?

All edits are lost when you delete a project. MuseScore saves your work to the project file, so deleting the file removes everything in it. If you have not saved your changes, closing the project without saving will discard them — but the project file itself remains on your computer unless you delete it.

Can I delete multiple projects at once?

In the start center, you can usually select multiple projects by holding Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac) while clicking each one, then right-click and delete them together. If this does not work in your version, delete them one at a time using the method described above.

Where does MuseScore store project files by default?

MuseScore saves projects in your Documents folder under MuseScore or MuseScore Projects by default, though the exact path depends on your operating system and whether you changed the save location. You can check the save location by opening a project, then selecting File > Properties to see its full file path.

If I delete a project file from my hard drive directly, will it disappear from the start center?

Yes. If you delete the file using your file manager, MuseScore will no longer be able to find it, and it will eventually stop showing in the start center. The start center may still display it briefly until you restart MuseScore, at which point it will be gone.