Need help with adding .mq4 and .ex4 files to MT4.

I am trying to add .mq4 files and .ex4 files to MT4. In what folder of MT4 does each go in? Thanks in advance.

*.ex4 files are the compiled versions of the *.mq4 files. MT4 uses the *.ex4 files for operation. The *.mq4 files contains the editable source code. Both file types can be an expert, indicator or script.

Depending if the file is an expert, indicator or script save it to the appropriate folder shown below. Instead of Interbank FX your folder may have the name of another broker or MetaTrader. These folders are sub folders of the Program Files folder. After saving the file to the folder re-start MT4. When you re-start the platform it will create the compiled file from the *.mq4 file automatically.

Thank you nvwine for replying to my question. Your response leads me to another question: since expert, indicator or script files can end in .mq4 or .ex4 how can I tell by looking at each file to know if its an expert, indicator, or a script file to be able to load each file in the correct folder?

If your downloading them off a forum the people say what the file is. When you download them just save them to the correct folder. I guess you could use the 'trial and error' method to figure out what a file is if you have some mixed together. Indicators are the most common so try saving the file there first and see if it works. Someone could also look at the source code and tell what it is. On the forum if you just give the exact file name someone will probably know what it is. By the way EAs are stored in the experts folder.

One option would be to open the mq4 file. If it is an indicator near the top you will see several lines that start with #property. If you see commands that say things link #property indicator_color1 or #property indicator_seperate_window then it is an indicator, EA's will not have this.

Done. A big thanks to you both for helping me!

i am in need of Lead commodities script were it get and how can i add to mt4 scripts

The "new" Mt4 is very changed since the last updates, this have pissed the intire industry off since many traders was forced to rewrite many of and the own custom indicators they used pre-update. this update have totally changed how you should install indicators and Ea's in the new versions of mt4, I trust this is what you have problems with. anyway the mq4 and ex4 files go together as explained in a former post.

Here is what you do:

go to (File) in the top menu of MT4, then (open data folder) this will take you to the place where you can see the tree explained in a former post above.
from there it is easy, you just put them in the right folder by name. if you are smart you will do a shortcut to this folder so you can easy jump in and out of it in the future without the need to have mt4 open. I would also suggest that you backup any indicator before you put them in there. there is no telling what windows might do with these directorys. this directory is hard to find and easy to forget in case you would re-install windows or anything, be advised that this directory is NOT a folder in the root of where you installed Mt4. at least not if you use a 64 bits system. so if you think you save all the indicators just by copying the MT4 folder where you installed it, you messed up because your indicators are not in there. I hope this helps.

Hello Friends,

It seems that not all MT4 Brokers are the same when it comes to directories... I have had a lot of trouble saving ex4 files...I will try the above suggestions and see what happens with my FxChoice Demo...Wish me luck !

thanks a lot for information! it is what I was looking for!)

Easy way to do :
Go to menu File and select Open Data Folder
After that the path for copy :
- experts is MOL/Experts
- scripts is MQL/Scripts
-indicators is MQL/Indicators.

hi i am new too mt4 i have a custom ea getting built and they sent me first version to test. It list it as a source not exe it wont allow me to drag onto chart to test. Any idea what this means. Thanks

Could you please help me... I have an Alpari demo account but can not load ex4 files into the respective folders as shown in this thread nor any other way... I'm baffled, any one please
Thank you in advance

Go to file->open data folder and copy all your ex4 or mq4 files to appropriate sub-folder of MQL4 folder

Thank you, I'll give it another go, I'll answer here.

I tried, but it tells me access denied did you mean cop and paste? Also tried saving it throughthe data folder... neither will save it... any further advice please?
Thank you for taking the time to help me.

Hi OldHand,

Your mq4 indis folder might be full. There is a limitation how many indis etc. you can add on one particular demo or real account. Just create another demo account and continue add the indis into that one. Save all your work and indis on the external either hard drive or stick so they are at your disposal what ever happens to meta4.

Also if it says access denied check what user are you in your computer. You will have two groups of users, try both of them particularly if it is home/office computer with multiple other computers ie users. You can check this via C drive then users, then your name etc. if not, find the word roaming in C drive and get the access to you all mq4 platforms (including the forgotten ones I might not be best to explain this... anyhow best of luck. One more, check you demo account version 1090 ?

cheers
hannele

Thank you very much for the advice, I am going to get into it now.
Will come crying again if i am still in trouble
thank you, you have made this 81 year old p/plegic very happy.

Let me guess : you installed it in "program files" folder?
Install your metatrader somewhere else (use partition different from C if you have it as a best solution) and add "/portable" switch to the shortcut command line (in which case you shall easily find all the folders as it used to be before)

Thank you, yes
I have installed it in "programx86 folder. My laptop on;y has C drive.
I continue to look at different options but till now nothing has worked.
if you had the time I would not object to you having a look
at my computer via team viewer'
I have been at this to try and download an ex4 indicator file for at
least 5 or 6 weeks.
I need you to understand that I am very grateful for your input.
thank you.