Same Matlab license for OS X and Windows

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Peter Schuette
Peter Schuette on 13 Oct 2015
Edited: John Fernald on 25 Apr 2017
I have Windows running on my Mac laptop and would like to install Matlab for both OS X and Windows operating systems. Is there a way to do this without purchasing two separate licenses?

Answers (3)

John Fernald
John Fernald on 25 Apr 2017
Edited: John Fernald on 25 Apr 2017
Old thread, but it's the first link that came up when I searched for the same question. For completeness, posting instructions here.
I contacted Matlab support. Their answer was the following (which worked for me--both the OSX and Windows versions of Matlab are installed and work on my computer):
"Thank you for contacting MathWorks Support. It is possible to have the one computer with multiple OS's only use a single activation, you will need to activate both operating systems manually to the same Mac Address. I have attached a link below that explains how to activate MATLAB manually.
"How do I activate MATLAB without an internet connection?
I only needed to do this for the second (Windows) installation.

Andreas Goser
Andreas Goser on 13 Oct 2015
Edited: Andreas Goser on 13 Oct 2015
Starting with a note: This is a technical forum. Don't rely on answers about business or licensing. In doubt, always get in touch with your administrator of the MATLAB licenses at your company or university. If that is you, get in touch with your MathWorks Account Manager (AKA Sales).
My viewpoint: If you have a so called commercial named user license, then you can make those two installations within the license model. If you have a commercial designated computer license, then not.

Walter Roberson
Walter Roberson on 13 Oct 2015
A dedicated computer license is per computer, so there is no reasons within the licensing conditions why one could not install the software on two different operating systems on the same computer.
However, MS Windows licenses are usually keyed off of the hard disk serial number, whereas OS-X and Linux licenses are usually keyed off of the MAC (Media Access Control) of one of the ethernet cards.
Because of this difference in implementation of the license, you may need to contact Mathworks for (free) installation support.
You do not license MATLAB by operating system: you license it by computer (not common outside of computer labs), or by user, or by number of simultaneous users, or "site license". Accordingly it is (IMHO) up to Mathworks to provide a means to use the software in dual-boot systems, even if that means they end up issuing you two license keys.

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