Migrate NT to New Computer

[sdauteuil]

What is the best way to migrate NT from one computer to another?

Is it better to back up and then load the back up onto the new computer or just copy the "NinjaTrader 8" folder to the new computer?

I have a very large amount of historical data, including over 10 years of NQ tick data.

Thank you

[NinjaTrader_BrandonH]

Hello sdauteuil,

Thanks for your post.

The following instructions will explain how to backup your NinjaTrader 8 files to a second computer.

Please note that the following list is the items you can choose to include or exclude from your backup (Configuration files, Database, Historical Chart Data, Log and Trace files, Market Replay Data, NinjaScript Files, Templates, Workspaces). Many users exclude the historical chart data, log and trace files, and Market Replay data to reduce the file size.

Also, the new computer will have a different Machine ID and will result in any passwords for account connections being removed along with the NinjaTrader License key being removed. For security purposes all account connections will need to have the username and password re-entered and the License key will also need to be re-entered.

You will also need to contact any 3rd party vendors and let them know that your machine ID has changed. You can locate the new machine ID by the following:

• Control Center > Help > About... (e.g. Machine ID: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX)

Follow these steps:

• Open NinjaTrader 8 on the computer you wish to backup from and disconnect from any open connections if applicable
• Go to Tools > Export > Backup File
• Select which items you would like to backup and click 'Export'
• Email or Save the file to an external storage device. The file can be found in the Documents\NinjaTrader 8 Backup folder on your PC

Open NinjaTrader 8 on the computer you wish to restore to and disconnect from any open connections if applicable.

• Open the email with the backup file or connect the external storage and save the backup file to a destination of your choosing (I recommend the desktop as it is easy to find)
• Go to Tools > Import > Backup File...
• Select the backup file you created from the location you saved it

I have also attached the publicly available Help Guide section regarding backup and restore below:

Help Guide - https://ninjatrader.com/support/help...ightsub=backup

Please let us know if we may provide further assistance.

[BottomShark77]

The post above leads to a dead link instead of a help guide to provide any info regarding backup and restore so you can move to a new computer? Well, I guess all of it was already explained in the post above.

[NinjaTrader_RyanS]

Hello,

Below is a current link to a guide of this:

https://support.ninjatrader.com/s/article/How-Can-I-Create-a-Backup-for-My-NinjaTrader-Desktop-Platform

[jacobpescaia44]

Hello,

I was attempting to do this procedure of creating a backup file on my old platform on my vps and restoring it on my new laptop. After getting the backup file on my new computer and after selecting the file to import, ninjatrader is coming up with a blank error message that just says 'Restore Backup Archive Error'. Any idea what this could be? I'd really like to have my same configurations and indicators on my new platform. Please advise, thank you.

[NinjaTrader_RyanS]

Hello,

If you create a new backup does the issue persist? Can you verify the backup was made from the most recent version of NinjaTrader (Version 8.1.3.0)?

[marcus2300]

I am planning to buy a new computer and wish to transfer everything from my old computer to my new one.
I wish to transfer "vendor assembly" indicators, workspaces, templates.; etc..

To be sure that I make no mistakes, this is what I plan to do:

• Open NinjaTrader 8 on the old computer and disconnect from any open connections if applicable
• Go to Tools > Export > Backup File
• Select all items to backup and click 'Export'
• Save the file to an external storage device. The file can be found in the Documents\NinjaTrader 8 Backup folder on your PC

INSTALL NINJATRADER NT8 ON MY NEW COMPUTER (this was not mentioned in the posts above)

Open NinjaTrader 8 on the new computer and disconnect from any open connections if applicable.

• Open the email with the backup file or connect the external storage and save the backup file to a destination of your choosing (I recommend the desktop as it is easy to find)
• Go to Tools > Import > Backup File...
• Select the backup file I created from the location I saved it

As I have several own developed indicators, protected by Agile.net, I will have to change the machine ID in each of these indicators as they still have the old machine ID and will not work on the new computer.

Is this OK?

Other question: after installing NT8 on the new computer I have 2 machine ID's connected to my login (I think) , is that not a problem?
I wish to be able to trade on the old one till I am 100% sure that the new one will work. Is that possible, or will the old one not work anymore? Not being able to trade costs me ten thousands of $$$ a day, and I want to avoid that.

[marcus2300]

Just was thinking...
Maybe I should first install the free version which will have the machine ID that is used by those who have no account at NT. Or is this not the case anymore since the download procedure changed completely a few years ago? It looks like I have to register or to enter my actual registration to get a download...which probably would automatically generate a new machine ID????
Second I would restore the backup on my new computer to get the setting right (copied from my old computer).
Then install the protected indicators, but without the list of accepted machine ID that can use these indicators.
If all that works well I should add the list of accepted machine ID that can use these indicators again and install these last versions of each protected indicator on the new computer.
And then I should change the machine ID from the new computer to a machine ID that is linked to my trading account at Ninjatrader brokerage. But where will I hgt that new machine ID??? Or can I use the old machine ID again?

Lot's of confusing things.....

[NinjaTrader_RyanS]

Hello,

For custom add ons you will need to register the new machine ID with the vendors. Each vendor may have a different policy on changing machine ID's or having multiple machine ID's active at the same time, so it would be best to consult the individual vendors for what needs to be done here.

From an account standpoint you will be able to login to your NinjaTrader account from either machine without restriction once the connections are migrated or setup on the new machine.

[marcus2300]

The custom add ons are no problem. All these indicators are created, programmed, and protected by myself as I have a license on Agile.net.

If I download NT8 on my new computer, should I then log in with my account and just download, or should I make a second account?
For me it is not clear if I can have two computers with the same login. I could not find anywhere a complete procedure with all steps to follow. I just found backup and restore.

[NinjaTrader_RyanS]

Hello,

You can utilize the same login on both machines, there would be no need to create a new user or account.

[QuantVPS]

Hello,

I was attempting to do this procedure of creating a backup file on my old platform on my vps and restoring it on my new laptop. After getting the backup file on my new computer and after selecting the file to import, ninjatrader is coming up with a blank error message that just says 'Restore Backup Archive Error'. Any idea what this could be? I'd really like to have my same configurations and indicators on my new platform. Please advise, thank you.

We can easily assist in migrating or transferring NinjaTrader from VPS to VPS, VPS to PC, PC to VPS... Anything!

Reach out to our team available 24/7 at www.QuantVPS.com