Musescore 4.4 (all versions / incompatibility with computer

I have been using Musescore for some time and have always been delighted with it. Each new upgrade was downloaded and worked perfectly. I currently use Version 4.3.2.
However, things have gone awry since the Musescore 4.4 versions have been available. Each time I have downloaded the latest three versions, when I go to a score and play it, the sound is radically altered.
I mainly compose using orchestral scores, and with these latest 4.4 versions the woodwind and the brass, in particular, sound like they are being played on an electronic keyboard.. The sound of all orchestra parts on Version 4.3.2 is far superior.
After making some research of my own into this, I discovered that the possible cause could be that these latest versions are not compatible with the settings on my computer. According to the information I found from the Musescore help forums, I checked my computer settings, and everything was fine. Furthermore, these settings have never been changed on my computer, and have always been fine for the different 4.3 versions and upgrades I have been downloading and using.
After just upgrading to the latest 4.4 version, the result is the same, and the sound is ghastly. So I am having to re-install the 4.3.2 version and work from that.
Obviously I would prefer to have access to the latest, improved versions.
If anyone can offer any help or advice about this issue, I should be most grateful.