midi input not working (solution for M-Audio Keystation 49es)

In case others have this issue, I thought it would be helpful to post what worked for me.

I bought a new M-Audio Keystation 49es (for doing notation via MIDI over USB), which comes with a license for Ableton Live Lite. So figured I'd test that first, using the M-Audio for triggering & getting sound out of Ableton Live 9 Lite, which worked perfectly fine. Note: No manual installation of drivers was required (this keyboard is 'class compliant' and Windows 10 installed what it needed the first time the M-Audio was connected).

But, alas, Musescore 2.1 would not let me choose the device in I/O midi input (the midi input pull down was greyed-out). See the ss1.jpg screenshot.

The M-Audio was connected and turned on before launching Musescore (which I know is required), and I did Revert to Factory Settings. No luck. I did not use any 64 bit versions of 2.0.3 previously (everything is installed in the x86 directory), and the M-Audio is plugged directly into the computer's USB port (not to a powered USB hub). So was a bit baffled, as it should be working.

Then I realized Ableton Live 9 Lite was still running in the background (prior to me launching Musescore). So I closed out of Ableton and Musescore, then relaunched Musescore... and problem solved. The M-Audio was now visible in the I/O. See the ss2.jpg screenshot.

So just run one of the apps at a time.

I hope this helps someone else out there! I also want to thank the community for their posts on similar topics elsewhere on the forums. It was very helpful!