When you run MT4 for the first time it will prompt you to open a demo trading account. Do so. It is free. In fact you can open as many free demos as you want over and over on the same instance of Metatrader without re installing the MT4 software by simply going to File Open Account.

To automate MetaTrader 4, place your expert advisor EA file (usually a file ending in .EX4) in the experts folder while MetaTrader is not running. The experts folder of your MT4 installation is usually: C:Program FilesMetaTrader 4experts

Start MT4. You will notice the new EA in the navigator window on the left under Expert Advisors. Drag and drop the icon of the EA to the chart you want to run it on. This will result in a pop-up box that will allow you to enter any external variables that may be needed on the inputs tab. Make sure you click on Allow live trading under the ‘common’ tab of that box so the EA will work. You will typically also need to allow Long short trades to be enabled.

Click OK. If you did everything right you will see a tiny smiling face at the top right hand corner of the chart with the name of the Expert Advisor program that you are running next to it. That’s it! Your automated trading system is now up and running.

NOTE : If the little face is not smiling, (if it has a frown) it means you did not check the allow live trading check box when you attached it. To fix this simply left click anywhere on the chart, and select expert advisors from the drop down menu and then properties to get to the current EAs properties. Once there, on the common tab, click to allow live trading and click OK

Note #2: If it is still not smiling, be sure the click the button in the MetaTrader toolbar (right in the middle) that says Expert Advisors. It must have a green icon next to it. If it’s red, it is disabled.