Detect OneDrive

[QuantKey_Bruce]

Since Microsoft OneDrive is installed now on Windows by default and enabled for the Documents folder, and since NinjaTrader Desktop is incompatible with this configuration (especially if more than one computer is using the same Microsoft account, and even though it's the default for all Windows installations now), NinjaTrader should immediately detect that OneDrive is running and is syncing the Documents folder, and refuse to continue until this is remedied. There are several articles on StackOverflow about how to detect if OneDrive is syncing a folder. This causes innumerable tech support issues and it would be far better, if NinjaTrader is not going to move the critical files out of the Documents folder, to detect this situation right away and warn about it rather than allowing it to continue to run and lead to all sorts of trouble later.

[NinjaTrader_Jesse]

Hello QuantKey_Bruce,

There is nothing in NinjaScript to automatically detect that. You can search online to see fi there is a C# way to do that, you would otherwise need to work out your own logic to detect that if it is important to your own development.

[QuantKey_Bruce]

No, you're misunderstanding - I'm saying NinjaTrader should detect it when the platform installs and/or runs. The entire platform fails if, for instance, two NinjaTrader Desktops are running on two different Windows 11 machines, each logged into the same Microsoft account and sharing their Documents folder by default via OneDrive. The db and cache files all get overwritten from the other machine causing pandemonium.

[QuantKey_Bruce]

This could be as simple as "if the path to the NinjaTrader 8 documents folder contains the text OneDrive" give a specific warning message with a link to instructions on how to turn that off.

[NinjaTrader_Jesse]

Hello QuantKey_Bruce,

Any external software being used could cause that to happen, not just one drive. The path being set to one drive also does not mean the platform will be effected, you can use onedrive with NinjaTrader just not while its running. The one drive application would need to be open and syncing a file that the platform is actively using for that to cause an issue. We always suggest to either exit onedrive while using the platform or if you don't use onedrive then you can disable it.

In general It is not suggested to use any external software that may access your data while using the platform. That includes any type of sync software or anything that may hold a file open so the platform cannot access it. There is not a list of software that can cause that type of issue but generally any type of sync software like onedrive or google drive, you can also see problems with some types antivirus or text editor software as well.

[QuantKey_Bruce]

NinjaTrader_Jesse, the reason I suggested detecting this specifically is it is the DEFAULT for all Windows 11 installations. If the DEFAULT software for Windows 11 has DEFAULT settings that conflict with NinjaTrader Desktop, shouldn't you look for that specifically?

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...3-cb4fba82c24d

Yes, I get it that there are other pieces of software that might conflict, but this is really a special situation if every single newly set up Windows 11 computer is configured in a way that does not work with NinjaTrader and requires special actions (whether it's exiting One Drive or excluding the folder, etc.) to make it work reliably.

It's not enough to just punt and say "it could be anything" when there is one thing, in particular, that is true of every new Windows 11 installation that you know in advance is a problem.

[NinjaTrader_Jesse]

Hello QuantKey_Bruce,

I understand your concern here however you can use OneDrive if you want to, that's not something which is incompatible.

Having one drive configured how it comes by default with windows is not going to prevent you from using the platform. The documents path being set to OneDrive paths is ok, the platform can still use that path for user data. The problem only comes if you have a sync conflict which is why we advise to have one drive exited while using the platform. You can still use it to sync the data when the platform is not in use.


Our general guideline on sync software would be to disable any type external syncing software while using the platform to ensure the integrity of your data. You can otherwise use sync software to backup your data if you want to.

[QuantKey_Bruce]

I appreciate your response, and the stance behind it which is "this is just a special case of the general case, which is that all sorts of other software can interfere with NT and we can't be responsible for all that." And I get why that is what the stance may have to be. Yet, do you think it's realistic that non-expert traders will anticipate that they have to disable OneDrive while using NinjaTrader? How many technical support tickets could have been avoided if it detected this situation and warned them?

I agree with your general guideline. What I'm suggesting here is how to make the product better by anticipating how they may quite likely fail to follow the general guideline because they do not know about it.

[jeronymite]

NinjaTrader_Jesse The simple solution to the very real issue that QuantKey_Bruce raises is for the platform to test at startup if OneDrive is enabled and is syncing relevant folders. If it is, issue a warning message to the user with clear instructions on the way to disable the feature for the duration of the platform running. This is sensible because:

• It handles a situation that is certain to happen in a way that is targeted, straightforward and helpful to customers
• It reduces the load on Support by short-circuiting the inevitable Forum posts and emails that many users will generate
• It respects customers and provides proactive support, which is almost always better than reactive response
• Summary: straightforward, win-win for customers and Support

Thanks.

[QuantKey_Bruce]

NinjaTrader_Jesse The simple solution to the very real issue that QuantKey_Bruce raises is for the platform to test at startup if OneDrive is enabled and is syncing relevant folders. If it is, issue a warning message to the user with clear instructions on the way to disable the feature for the duration of the platform running. This is sensible because:

• It handles a situation that is certain to happen in a way that is targeted, straightforward and helpful to customers
• It reduces the load on Support by short-circuiting the inevitable Forum posts and emails that many users will generate
• It respects customers and provides proactive support, which is almost always better than reactive response
• Summary: straightforward, win-win for customers and Support

Thanks.

Yes, thank you, and I would add that while there are other sync software solutions out there, OneDrive has the unique distinction of being installed and enabled by default on all new Windows PCs, so it is in a unique position as a potential hazard for NinjaTrader Desktop. So, yes, there are others, and no, you probably can't control them all, but you can detect the 800 lb. gorilla in the room and warn the trader that they, like practically every NinjaTrader user before them has learned the hard way, should disable sync on that folder or disable OneDrive. This is the low-hanging fruit for support - detect the one hazard that is present by default and warn them about it. The approach jeronymite has suggested of detecting that the folder is being actively synced would be perfect for this purpose.

NinjaTrader Desktop only runs on the Windows OS. And by default, Windows OS has OneDrive enabled and syncing the folder that NinjaTrader can't have synced to operate properly. So, shouldn't you be checking for that?

[BartMan]

I Upvote this request. I personally work around it by using a VM or an account without one drive: local special account no sync no Microsoft account period. It also helps avoid skype, slack email and other distractions.

I would prefer to have an option in Ninja to place my Ninja Home folder in a define location and leave OneDrive configuration standard

C:\Users\<user>\NinjaLocalFolder
C:\Users\bart\NinjaLocalFolder


It would be a program configuration option at install or at a later time.

[Creamers]

Would very much like an option (or maybe Ninjatrader can give and unsupported way to change it ourselfs) to change the path, cause with a forced onedrive that keeps syncing the ninjatrader files it not doable on my device.

+1 for BartMan's suggestion

[fastfire]

Just to Add Must have custom NinjaTrader 8 App User data. This is pretty standard, and unacceptable that You cannot specify your user folder location. Windows 11 defaults this, and you cannot exclude this. Please add custom location to store user data, you already have Registry entry for User Doc folder, but the program does not use this in all code references.