# Back Up Older Versions

This allows you to safely revert to a previous version or compare performance between updates.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Step 1 — Locate the EA File

{% endstep %}

{% step %}
In **MetaTrader 5**, go to:\
**File → Open Data Folder**

1. Navigate to:\
   **MQL5 → Experts → Market → SmartChoise**
2. Inside that folder, you’ll find the EA file — for example:\
   **SmartChoise.ex5**
3. **Rename** the file to something like:\
   `SmartChoise74.ex5` *(for version 7.4)*
4. (Optional) **Copy** this file to a safe location, such as a folder on your desktop named:\
   `EA Backups`

{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Step 2 — Save Your Old Set Files

1. Open your SmartChoise EA settings in MT5.
2. Click **Save** to export your configuration as a `.set` file.
3. Name it clearly, for example:\
   `v7.4_LowRisk.set`
4. Store this `.set` file in the same backup folder as your `.ex5` file.
   {% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Step 3 — After Updating

1. Once you update SmartChoise, right-click the **Navigator** window in MT5 and select **Refresh**.
2. You’ll now see the new version of SmartChoise available.
3. Your backup (e.g., `SmartChoise74.ex5`) will still be usable if you place it back in the same folder manually.
   {% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Step 4 — Using the Backup on Another Terminal

1. Copy your backup file (e.g., `SmartChoise74.ex5`) into:\
   **MQL5 → Experts → Market → SmartChoise**
2. Restart ore Reload MT5.
3. Load your saved `.set` file (e.g., `v7.4_LowRisk.set`).
4. Your older SmartChoise version will run exactly as before.
   {% endstep %}
   {% endstepper %}

{% hint style="info" %}

#### 💡 Tip

Keeping backups of both:

* The **.ex5** file (EA itself), and
* The **.set** files (your settings)

...ensures you can always return to a stable setup or compare older versions’ performance **without losing your preferred configurations**.
{% endhint %}


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