How to Set Up MetaTrader’s Portable Mode: A Simple Guide

If you use MetaTrader for trading, portable mode can make your life much easier. This guide will show you how to set it up.

What is Portable Mode and Why Use It?

Portable mode keeps all MetaTrader files in one folder instead of spreading them across your computer. This gives you three big benefits:

  • Easy to move: Copy one folder to transfer your entire setup to another computer

  • Simple to backup: Save the whole folder and you’ve backed up everything including all your Expert Advisors and Indicators

  • Portability: You can work from a USB stick or external drive which can be plugged into any PC.
  • Save disk space: You can use an external drive which gives you access to large amounts of disk space without using your local drive’s valuable space.

  • Quick to fix: If something breaks, just restore from a backup

Setting Up Portable Mode: Step by Step

Step 1: Put MetaTrader in the Right Place

First, make sure MetaTrader is installed outside the Program Files folder:

  1. If you’re installing fresh: Choose a simple location like C:\Trading when installing

  2. If you already have MetaTrader: Copy the whole folder to a new location like C:\Trading

Step 2: Create a Special Shortcut

This shortcut tells MetaTrader to run in portable mode:

  1. Find the main program file in your MetaTrader folder:

    • For MT4: Look for “terminal.exe”

    • For MT5: Look for “terminal64.exe”

  2. Right-click on this file and select “Create shortcut”

  3. Right-click on the new shortcut and select “Properties”

  4. In the Target box, add ” /portable” at the very end (include the space but not the quotes)

  5. Click “OK” to save

  6. Rename the shortcut to something like “MT4 Portable” so you remember what it does

Step 3: Start Using Portable Mode

  1. Double-click your new shortcut to open MetaTrader

  2. Log in to your trading account

  3. That’s it! You’re now using portable mode.

Step 3: Configure Portable Mode in Tickstory (if applicable)

  1. If you’re using Tickstory, go to File->Settings->Metatrader

  2. Select your Metatrader installation by selecting the installation folder (eg. C:\Trading)

  3. In the Command-line parameters, type “/portable” (without quotes) to make sure Tickstory launches Metatrader in portable mode.

(Visit this link to learn more about how Tickstory can help you with your back-testing).

How to Check If It’s Working

Want to make sure portable mode is active? Try this:

  1. In MetaTrader, click on “File” then “Open Data Folder“

  2. If the folder that opens is inside your MetaTrader installation folder, portable mode is working!

Moving Your Settings (If Needed)

If you already had MetaTrader set up before, you might want to bring your old settings:

  1. Open your old MetaTrader installation

  2. Click “File” then “Open Data Folder” to find your old settings

  3. Copy items you want to keep (like custom indicators or templates)

  4. Paste them into the same folders in your portable installation

Common Problems and Solutions

  • Shortcut doesn’t work: Make sure you added ” /portable” with a space before it (without quotes)

  • Can’t find your indicators: You may need to copy them from your old installation

  • Windows gives permission errors: Make sure you’re not using Program Files folder

Wrapping Up

Portable mode makes MetaTrader more flexible and easier to manage. Once set up, you can:

  • Copy your entire trading setup to a USB drive

  • Move between computers without losing settings

  • Create backups by simply copying one folder

We highly recommend working in portable mode where possible – it only takes a few minutes to set up but saves hours of frustration later!