Use MetaTrader AutoStart Tool for your Account

Modified on Wed, 9 Sep at 11:07 PM

The MetaTrader AutoStart tool configures two things for the account you specify: Windows AutoLogon (the account signs in automatically on startup, without anyone entering the password) and automatic startup of your MetaTrader 4 and/or MetaTrader 5 terminal(s) right after that sign-in. This means your trading platform keeps running on its own after every restart — including after an unexpected failure or reset — with no one needing to be at the keyboard. On each run, the tool automatically detects the MetaTrader installations present on the computer.

Important: Because this enables automatic sign-in, anyone who gains access to the console or a remote session on this computer while it is at the login screen will reach an already-signed-in desktop for this account, without needing its password. Only enable AutoStart on machines where that trade-off is acceptable.

This guide covers two things:

How to enable / configure AutoStart for your account
How to disable AutoStart if you no longer want it

Part 1 — Enable AutoStart

Open the MetaTrader AutoStart Setup tool

You'll see the window below. Under Target User, your trading account username (for example, trader) is already filled in. The list under Select MetaTrader Terminals to Auto-Start shows every MetaTrader 4 / MetaTrader 5 installation the tool found on the computer — these may belong to different brokers or platforms, so your list may look different from the example below. Tick the box next to each terminal you want to start automatically, and leave the others unticked.

MetaTrader AutoStart Setup window with Target User and terminal checklist

Example only: The screenshot above shows one MT4 and one MT5 installation. If you have terminals from several brokers installed on this computer, they will all be listed here — simply tick the ones you want to auto-start.

Enter your password and click "Setup"

Click into the Password field and type the password you use to log in to this Windows account. This is required to set up Windows AutoLogon for the account, so it can sign in automatically on every restart and start the terminal(s). Then click the green Setup button. A confirmation window like the one below will then appear, showing your username and the number of startup entries created — click OK to close it.

Success dialog confirming AutoStart configuration completed

Note: This enables automatic sign-in (AutoLogon) for this account — from now on, the account will sign in on its own after a restart, without the password being entered again.

Reopen the tool anytime to review or change your selection

After the success message closes, you can reopen the AutoStart Setup tool at any time to see your current configuration. Terminals that are already set up will show as (Configured) in the list, as seen below with MT4.

AutoStart Setup window reopened showing MT4 as Configured

Tip: You can check or uncheck which terminals (MT4 / MT5) should auto-start at any time — simply tick or untick the boxes and click Setup again to apply the change.

Part 2 — Disable AutoStart

If you no longer want this account to sign in automatically and start your MetaTrader terminal(s), you can turn this feature off at any time using the same tool.

Click "Disable"

Open the AutoStart Setup tool and click the red Disable button in the bottom-left corner.

Warning: Disabling AutoStart also switches off Windows AutoLogon for this account. After this, the Windows username and password will need to be entered manually the next time the server restarts. Click OK to confirm, or Cancel to keep AutoStart (and automatic sign-in) enabled.

Confirm the success message

Once confirmed, a final message will appear letting you know that MetaTrader AutoStart and Windows AutoLogon have both been successfully disabled for your account. Click OK to close.

Success dialog confirming AutoStart and AutoLogon disabled

Quick Reference

To do this...	Do this
Sign in automatically and start MetaTrader terminal(s) after every restart	Enable AutoStart (Part 1) and tick the terminal(s) you want from the detected list
Stop a terminal from auto-starting, but keep AutoStart on	Untick that terminal's box and click Setup again
Turn off automatic sign-in (AutoLogon) and AutoStart completely	Click Disable (Part 2) and confirm

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