September 7, 2010
How to migrate AmiBroker to a new computer
First of all it is absolutely necessary to run full setup on the new system to ensure proper configuration and appropriate access rights on the new system. Running full setup first is essential, as copying old files alone is NOT enough and will lead to problems.
The setup program can be downloaded from:
http://www.amibroker.com/download.html
Once the program has been installed – you can either activate the program (if you want to start with a fresh copy) or also restore your settings from the old computer.
If you want to start with a fresh installation, then it’s enough to run the software activation wizard. To get a copy you can use the form at:
http://www.amibroker.com/lostkey.html
If you want to transfer all data from the old computer, after running full setup on a new computer, you should copy the entire contents of AmiBroker folder from the old computer (with all the databases) into the location you have installed AmiBroker on the new machine (see the installation path above), overwriting the existing files.
If you want to copy just layouts / charts, then it is enough to copy the following:
- *.awl files from Layouts folders inside AmiBroker main folder and inside database folder (holding layouts calling certain charts recognized by their ID)
- broker.newcharts file which contains list of charts (their IDs) and their corresponding formula files
- contents of Formulas folder – to have formula referenced by certain charts
This is because layouts refer to certain charts recognised by their chart ID number. So all elements have to be present.
More information about files used by AmiBroker can be found at:
http://www.amibroker.com/guide/x_files.html
Filed by Marcin Gorzynski at 5:59 am under Installation
1 Comment

Hello Marcin,
It often happens I need to copy the AmiBroker system to another computer from, or to, another drive letter.
Could you also explain what the potential problems are, and what is the best way to do that?
Thanks,
herman