How to Run MetaTrader 5 Expert Advisors Around the Clock on a Windows VPS

Applies to: MetaTrader 5 on Windows Server 2025 and Windows 10 or 11, connected over Remote Desktop

An Expert Advisor (EA) only trades while the MetaTrader 5 terminal is open and connected. On a home computer that stops whenever the PC sleeps, restarts for updates or loses its internet connection. A Windows VPS keeps the terminal running day and night. This guide covers the technical setup only; it is not trading advice.

1. Prepare the Windows VPS

• Microsoft’s minimum for Windows Server 2025 is 2 GB of RAM (4 GB recommended with the desktop). Add memory if you run several terminals or many charts.
• Connect with Remote Desktop: connect to a Windows VPS. Limit RDP to your own IP address: RDP port 3389 and how to secure it.

2. Install MetaTrader 5 and log in

1. Download MetaTrader 5 from your broker (their version already knows the broker’s trade servers) or from MetaQuotes.
2. Install it and log in to your trading account from the File menu.
3. Check the connection indicator in the bottom-right corner: it shows the ping to the broker’s server.

3. Add your Expert Advisor

1. Choose File › Open Data Folder, go to MQL5\Experts and copy the EA’s .ex5 file there.
2. In the Navigator window, right-click Expert Advisors and choose Refresh.
3. In Tools › Options › Expert Advisors, allow algorithmic (automated) trading.
4. Click Algo Trading on the toolbar so that it is switched on (called AutoTrading in older builds and in MetaTrader 4).
5. Double-click the EA in the Navigator, or drag it onto a chart. On the Common tab, allow algo trading for this EA, set its inputs and click OK.
6. The EA’s name and icon appear in the upper right corner of the chart. The Experts and Journal tabs in the Toolbox (Ctrl+T) show its messages.

4. Keep it running

• Disconnect, don’t sign out. Close the Remote Desktop window to leave the session running. Sign out closes all programs, including MetaTrader.
• Start MetaTrader after a restart. Press Win+R, type shell:startup and put a shortcut to MetaTrader 5 in that folder. The terminal reopens the charts and EAs of the last session. Startup items only run after the user signs in; if the server must start MetaTrader without anyone logging in, Microsoft’s Sysinternals Autologon tool can sign in automatically (use a strong password).
• Plan Windows updates. Set the update restart time outside your trading hours, and check the terminal after update days.
• Keep it light. Close charts you don’t need and lower Max bars in chart (Tools › Options › Charts) if memory is tight.

Security

• Use a strong Windows password and restrict RDP to your IP address.
• Only run EAs from sources you trust: an EA is a program with access to your trading account.
• Keep Windows and MetaTrader updated.

Our Windows VPS plans include the Windows Server licence; order one and our engineers install Windows for you.

Official documentation: MetaTrader 5 help: Expert Advisors.