Where is my .ex4 file?
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MetaTrader 4 was updated and it has new directory structure now. In the same time Windows 8 becomes more popular. Combine those and there is a big chance that you will not find your .ex4 file where it is supposed to be. Here are some things to be considered...
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First of all, if you are using the local version of fxDreema, use the latest.
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starting from build 600 MetaTrader 4 stores the data (experts, indicators, libraries) in a directory called "MQL4".
http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/6641/dvl8.png -
In Windows 8 by default MetaTrader 4 does not work with that "MQL4" directory that is located in it's installation subfolder, and probably it's the same case in Windows 7 with UAC enabled. So, go to "File - Open Data Folder" to see where is the working data directory for your MetaTrader 4 installation.
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/7909/0wj3.png
It can be in a directory that looks similar to this: C:\Users%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\MetaQuotes\Terminal\9E90172A31F235065E520B4269307A37
Why is there? Because newest Windows versions prefer to have programs and their data separated. Yes, Microsoft is dumb.-
If you want to use that folder anyway, copy-paste it's path here:
http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/9783/c99m.png -
If you want to use the home "MQL4" directory, then be sure that MetaTrader 4 is running in portable mode, do this:
http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/198/gfu2.png
Run MetaTrader from that shortcut every time.
Now if you go to "File - Open Data Folder" it should send you to where MetaTrader 4 is installed.-
If you have MetaTrader installed in Program Files or Program Files (x84) and UAC is enabled, it will not allow programs to write files there. Then, be sure that you start fxDreema (or if you are loading the web version - the browser itself) as an administrator.
http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/1333/hw23.png
Yes, fxDreema is a bad program in the eyes of Windows, but it's nature is such that it must break some rules in order to deliver files into the MetaTrader's folder. -
If you are working with older MT4 or MT5 where it seems that it does not use it's local experts, or sometimes does it, other times not, most probably you have UAC enabled and MT is working from another remote directory called "VirtualStore". Check it out:
C:\Users%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\VirtualStore
Additional information: In Windows 7 you can easily turn off UAC, but on Windows 8 even if it looks disabled, it's not, because all thos strange Metro apps can't work without it. There is a way to completely disable it, for ones who really wants that, but Metro apps will no longer work.
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