By Martin Yerfo
If you are running windows Vista or Windows 7 your MetaTrader software may not be running properly. The most common issues include:
* Metatrader does not update to the newest version
* Charts / indicators / experts will not save when Metatrader restarts.
* It cannot save history to run back testing.
* Expert advisors will not run.
* It can not open a demo account.
* Username and password won’t get saved on restart.
* User can not save files on Expert folder.
The cause for these issues is that starting with Windows Vista Microsoft changed the default security settings on the “Program Files” folder, making it so MetaTrader might not be able to save all necessary data to the Hard Drive, this new characteristic on Windows is called User Account Control or UAC.
Note: Windows Vista protects “systemroot” files and folders with permissions created for Windows Resource Protection (WRP), which can only be accessed by the System service. Administrators can read system files and folders but can’t write to them. Note that this differs from prior versions of Windows.
Source: Microsoft Web Site about UAC
There are several ways to fix this problem. Some require you to reinstall MetaTrader on a different folder and some require you to run complex command prompt tasks:
Option 1) The best way to resolve the UAC problem is to install MetaTrader in a different folder from its default location. When installing MetaTrader 4 just after the license agreement, it is possible to change the installation folder for example from C:\Program Files\BestDirect\MT4 to C:\MetaTrader\1MT4.
Then continue with the installation as usual and your MetaTrader 4 will run with no issues.
Option 2) Change the folder permission of the folder where MetaTrader is already installed, this is usually a good choice if you have many instances of MetaTrader installed in your system and don’t wish to reinstall them.
a) Find in the windows explorer the folder where you have installed MetaTrader 4, right-click the folder and then click Properties.
b) This will open the property screen for this folder and on the Security tab click on Edit
c) A new screen will open, select Users, check Full control (Allow) and then Apply.
Choose Trusted Installer, check Full control (Allow) and then Apply.
Choose Administrators, check Full control (Allow) and then Apply.
d) Click all OK and you are done.
Option 3) Change the folder permission utilizing the command prompt, this is the most difficult alternative for non experienced users.
a) Press the Win keyboard key or click on Start button.
b) Type cmd in the Start/Search textbox.
c) Just before pressing enter press and hold Ctrl+Shift then hit the Enter key.
Ctrl+Shift+Enter is the keyboard shortcut that triggers the user elevation to “Run as Administrator”
d) Press continue to confirm the UAC elevation warning prompt.
e) Type the text below inside of the command prompt window, change the text in “quotes” with the folder path of your MetaTrader installation:
icacls “C:\Program Files (x86)\FXCM MT4 powered by BT” /t /grant %UserDomain%\%UserName%:(OI)(CI)F
f) Hit enter and the command will run for a couple seconds and it should end with a success message.
It is very important for expert advisors to be able to save information to the hard drive; we highly suggest you follow this tutorial to have your MetaTrader Installation running smoothly.
About the Author
Full time Metatrader developer, programer, forex trader and marketing director
Professional http://4xtrader.net for traders by traders
