How do I backup and restore files on MetaTrader 4?

If you have templates, profiles, experts, or custom indicators saved and you need to back them up before reinstalling please follow these steps:

Step 1: Navigate to “File” in the upper left hand corner and then select "Open Data Folder"

Step 2: Copy the “profiles” folder and the “templates” folder to your desktop.

This can be achieved by right clicking on the folder and pressing “Copy” then right clicking on the desktop and pressing “Paste”
This needs to be done for every folder that you want to backup

Step 3: The “Indicators” and “Experts” folder is located inside the folder called "MQL4" Double click on the folder to open it

Follow the steps from Step 2 to copy the “Indicators” and “Experts” folder to your desktop.

Once all the folders that you need to back up are copied to the desktop, you can uninstall the software and your files will be backed up.

Please Note: Follow these steps carefully to ensure that a data loss does not occur. FXCM is not liable for any loss of data that occurs.

Restoring Backed Up Indicators, Profiles, Experts, & Templates

To restore indicators, experts, profiles, & templates that have been backed up into your new MetaTrader 4 please follow these steps:

Step 1: Navigate to “File” in the upper left hand corner and then select "Open Data Folder"

Step 2: Delete the “profiles” folder and the “templates” folder.

Step 3: Copy the “profiles” folder and the “templates” folder from where you put them by right clicking and pressing “Copy”

Step 4: Copy the folders into the Data Folder by right clicking in the white space in the folder and selecting Paste.

Step 5: Do the same procedure for the “Indicators” and “Experts” folders which are located inside the MQL4 folder.

Please Note: Only delete the “Indicators” and “Experts” folders if you have backed them up and will be restoring it.

Step 6: Close MetaTrader 4 and then reopen it. Everything that you restored should be in the platform now.

How can we help?