How to configure the settings of MT4 for Algo-Trading
To enable AlgoTrading and optimize the MT4 settings follow these steps.
AutoTrading button
In the upper-menu, left-click on AutoTrading button
![](https://www.forecastcycles.com/blog/content/images/2023/10/image-14.png)
And it will turn green
![](https://www.forecastcycles.com/blog/content/images/2023/10/image-15.png)
Options of Expert Advisors for AlgoTrading
In the upper-menu, click on 'Tools', then click 'Options'
![](https://www.forecastcycles.com/blog/content/images/2023/10/image-16.png)
Click 'Expert Advisors' tab, and select the options as shown in the image:
![](https://www.forecastcycles.com/blog/content/images/2023/10/image-17.png)
Click 'OK'.
Options to optimize MT4 performance
The only disadvantage of using MT4 is that of using a slightly dated and not very powerful platform, so settings must be optimized to avoid it crashing.
1. Reduce the 'Max bars in history'
Reducing "Max bars in chart" should offer a dramatic performance increase.
To do so, in the upper-menu click 'Tools' ==> click 'Options' ==> select 'Charts' tab ==>
- set 'Max bars in history' 2000.
- set 'Max bars in chart' 1000.
![](https://www.forecastcycles.com/blog/content/images/2023/12/image-5.png)
2. Disable unnecessary features
Even new computers might experience MT4 lagging, high memory usage, and annoying slowdowns. To reduce MetaTrader's memory leakage, we can disable 'News' and 'Email' notifications.
![](https://www.forecastcycles.com/blog/content/images/2023/12/2-Optimize-MT4-memory_2.gif)
3. Keep in 'Market Watch' only the symbol needed and don't open new Charts
The EAs automatically:
- add the Symbols in the 'Market Watch'
- opens all the necessary charts
Do not add other symbols and do not open other charts to avoid worsening performance.
![](https://www.forecastcycles.com/blog/content/images/2023/12/image-6.png)