Skip to main content
Logo image

Getting Started with MATLAB Programming A Resource for Mathematicians, Engineers, and Scientists

Geoffrey W. Cox, Ph.D.

Section 1.1 Installing MATLAB

MATLAB is a professional computing environment developed by MathWorks. Before you can begin using it, you must install MATLAB on your computer using a licensed MathWorks account. Installation is a one-time process that gives you access to the full MATLAB environment.
🔗

Checkpoint 1. DRAG-AND-DROP EXERCISE.

🔗

What You Need to Install MATLAB.

Before starting, make sure you have:
  • A computer running Windows, macOS, or Linux.
    🔗
  • A MathWorks account linked to a valid license (your institution typically provides this).
    🔗
  • A reliable internet connection for downloading the installer.
    🔗
🔗
Key terms:
  • A MathWorks account is the login you use to access MathWorks software and your license.
    🔗
  • A license is the agreement that grants you permission to use MATLAB. Student and institutional licenses are the most common.
    🔗
  • The installer is the program you download from mathworks.com that places MATLAB on your computer.
    🔗
🔗
🔗

Checkpoint 2. Before & During Installation.

(a)

    You need a licensed MathWorks account to install MATLAB.
    🔗

  • True.

  • Correct. MATLAB requires a valid license linked to a MathWorks account. Your institution typically provides access to a license.

  • False.

  • Correct. MATLAB requires a valid license linked to a MathWorks account. Your institution typically provides access to a license.
🔗

(b)

Where do you go to download the MATLAB installer?
🔗
  • Correct. The official MathWorks website is the source for downloading MATLAB.
  • matlab.com
  • This is not the MathWorks website. Always download from mathworks.com.
  • Your institution’s general software portal
  • Some institutions host links there, but the installer itself comes from mathworks.com.
  • The MATLAB App Store
  • There is no MATLAB App Store. Download MATLAB from mathworks.com.
🔗
🔗

🌌 Example 3. Step-by-Step Installation.

The following steps describe a typical MATLAB installation. Screens and options may vary slightly depending on your operating system.
🔗
  1. 🔗
  2. Click “Sign In” in the top-right corner.
    🔗
  3. If you do not already have an account, create one using your institution’s email address.
    🔗
  4. After signing in, click “MATLAB” and then “Install MATLAB”.
    🔗
  5. Select your operating system from the dropdown menu.
    🔗
  6. Download and launch the installer.
    🔗
  7. When prompted, sign in using the same MathWorks account.
    🔗
  8. Accept the license agreement.
    🔗
  9. Select your institution’s MATLAB license when it appears.
    🔗
  10. Use the default installation location and pre-selected products unless instructed otherwise.
    🔗
  11. Choose whether to create desktop shortcuts and allow data collection.
    🔗
  12. Click “Begin Install” and wait for the installation to complete.
    🔗
Once installation is complete, you can launch MATLAB from your applications menu or desktop shortcut. The first launch may ask you to sign in again to verify your license.
🔗
🔗

🌌 Example 4. Verifying Your Installation.

After installation, confirm MATLAB is working correctly by launching it and typing a simple command in the Command Window:
🔗
2 + 3
If MATLAB displays the result ans = 5, your installation is working correctly. If MATLAB does not launch or shows a license error, verify that:
  • Your MathWorks account is linked to a valid license.
    🔗
  • You are connected to the internet (some licenses require periodic online verification).
    🔗
  • You selected the correct license during installation.
    🔗
🔗
🔗

Reading Questions 📖 Reading Quiz

1.

(a) DRAG-AND-DROP TASK.
🔗
(b)
    You must reinstall MATLAB every time you start a new project.
    🔗

  • True.

  • Installation is a one-time process. Once MATLAB is installed, you simply launch it to start working on any project.

  • False.

  • Installation is a one-time process. Once MATLAB is installed, you simply launch it to start working on any project.
🔗
(c)
What is the first thing you need before you can install MATLAB?
🔗
  • A licensed MathWorks account.
  • Correct. You need a MathWorks account linked to a valid license before you can download and install MATLAB.
  • A Python installation.
  • MATLAB is independent of Python. No Python installation is required.
  • Administrator privileges on your computer.
  • While helpful, administrator privileges are not the primary prerequisite. A licensed MathWorks account is required first.
  • A USB drive with the installer.
  • MATLAB is downloaded from mathworks.com, not installed from a USB drive.
🔗
(d)
    During installation, you sign in to MATLAB using the same MathWorks account you used to download the installer.
    🔗

  • True.

  • Correct. The same MathWorks account is used for both downloading and activating MATLAB during installation.

  • False.

  • Correct. The same MathWorks account is used for both downloading and activating MATLAB during installation.
🔗
(e)
Which operating systems are supported for MATLAB installation?
🔗
  • Windows, macOS, and Linux.
  • Correct. MATLAB is available for all three major operating systems.
  • Windows only.
  • MATLAB also runs on macOS and Linux, not just Windows.
  • Windows and macOS only.
  • MATLAB also supports Linux.
  • Any operating system, including mobile devices.
  • MATLAB supports Windows, macOS, and Linux, but the full desktop installation is not available on mobile devices.
🔗
(f)
What does the MATLAB installer ask you to select after you accept the license agreement?
🔗
  • Your institution’s MATLAB license.
  • Correct. The installer presents available licenses associated with your account and you select the appropriate one.
  • Your preferred programming language.
  • MATLAB is its own language. The installer does not ask you to choose a programming language.
  • The version of Python to pair with MATLAB.
  • The installer does not ask about Python. It asks you to select the MATLAB license.
  • The color theme for the MATLAB Desktop.
  • Color themes are set inside MATLAB after installation, not during the installer process.
🔗
(g)
    You should always change the default installation location to a custom folder to avoid license errors.
    🔗

  • True.

  • The instructions recommend using the default installation location unless instructed otherwise. Changing it is generally not necessary and may complicate the installation.

  • False.

  • The instructions recommend using the default installation location unless instructed otherwise. Changing it is generally not necessary and may complicate the installation.
🔗
(h)
Which of the following would most likely indicate that MATLAB installed successfully?
🔗
  • MATLAB launches and displays ans = 5 after you type 2 + 3.
  • Correct. A successful installation means MATLAB launches and can evaluate expressions in the Command Window.
  • The installer finishes without showing any windows.
  • A silent finish does not confirm success. You need to launch MATLAB and test it.
  • A MATLAB shortcut appears on your desktop.
  • A shortcut icon is created during installation, but it does not confirm that MATLAB actually runs correctly.
  • The installer asks you to restart your computer.
  • A restart prompt is not specific to MATLAB. You should verify by actually launching MATLAB and running a command.
🔗
(i)
    After installation, the first launch of MATLAB may ask you to sign in again to verify your license.
    🔗

  • True.

  • Correct. Some license types require online verification on the first launch or periodically thereafter.

  • False.

  • Correct. Some license types require online verification on the first launch or periodically thereafter.
🔗
(j)
If MATLAB shows a license error on first launch, which of the following is not a recommended troubleshooting step?
🔗
  • Reinstall MATLAB on a different computer.
  • Correct; this is not recommended. License errors are usually resolved by verifying your account, checking your internet connection, or confirming the correct license was selected.
  • Verify your MathWorks account is linked to a valid license.
  • This is a recommended troubleshooting step. License errors often happen when no valid license is associated with the account.
  • Check that you are connected to the internet.
  • This is a recommended step. Some licenses require internet access to verify.
  • Confirm you selected the correct license during installation.
  • This is a recommended step. Selecting the wrong license is a common cause of launch errors.
🔗
(k)
    You must select a custom set of MATLAB toolboxes during every installation.
    🔗

  • True.

  • The instructions say to use the default pre-selected products unless instructed otherwise. Custom toolbox selection is optional and situation-dependent.

  • False.

  • The instructions say to use the default pre-selected products unless instructed otherwise. Custom toolbox selection is optional and situation-dependent.
🔗
🔗
🔗
You have attempted of activities on this page.
🔗
PrevTopNext
Feedback