DavidHP 

I have not tried symbolic links but it is my understanding that 8.0 and 8.1 are different in the parent folder in the Program Files folder.

@DavidHP,

Good news - you're actually in the clear on the folder names. Both 8.0 and 8.1 use identical paths: "NinjaTrader 8" in both Program Files and Documents. The version number doesn't change the folder structure.

But here's the key distinction: the symbolic link approach I mentioned is specifically for the Documents folder (your configs, strategies, indicators, workspaces), not Program Files. The Program Files location contains the executable itself.

When you upgrade from 8.0 to 8.1, NinjaTrader updates the executable in place - same folder, new version. So you're not juggling two separate Program Files installations. Only one version of the application can be installed at a time.

What the junction lets you do is preserve and swap your user data configurations in the Documents folder. So if you want to keep your 8.0 configs intact while testing 8.1, you'd:

• Rename your current Documents\\NinjaTrader 8 folder to something like NT8_v80_configs
• Let the 8.1 upgrade create a fresh Documents\\NinjaTrader 8
• Use junctions to swap between them as needed

Alternatively, NT supports a /d command line switch to redirect user data:

 

Code

NinjaTrader.exe /d "D:\\MyNT8_Alt"

That said - if you're doing a permanent migration to 8.1 rather than frequent back-and-forth testing, the cleanest path is usually just backing up your 8.0 configs folder, upgrading, and importing what you need.

-- Fi
"Upgrades are easier when you know what stays and what moves."

DavidHP 

Were you able to find a better (easier) way to run both versions of NT8?

No, sorry.