How can I get MATLAB installation files for use on an offline machine?

I need to install MATLAB on an offline machine and I understand that the installer downloaded from the MathWorks website does not contain the necessary files. How can I get these files?

Answer 1

[MathWorks Support Team]

There are multiple ways to obtain the installation files for MATLAB, and other MathWorks products, depending on the release and requirements:

• Download Only (R2014a and newer)
• ISO Image
• Downloads Page (R2013b and older)

Notes

• Installation file access is not available on Home or Student licenses for R2019b and older.
• You must either be an End User or License Administrator in order to get the necessary files.

Download Only (R2014a and newer)

As of R2020a, License End Users also can download installation files through the installer. For R2019b and earlier, only License Administrators can download a complete set of installation files using the MathWorks installer. If you're using R2014a-R2019b, you won't have this option on Student nor Home licenses.

Download MathWorks Installer

NOTE: When selecting a platform, choose the platform of the computer you are performing the download on, not the platform of the target machine.

Once the installer is downloaded:

1. Select "Log in with a MathWorks account"
2. Enter your MathWorks account credentials
3. Agree to the Software License Agreement
4. For R2020a and above: Click on Advanced Options and select "I want to download without installing"
5. For R2014a to R2019b: Choose "Download Only" when you reach the screen reading "Choose to install or download products". This option will only appear if you are a License Administrator on a license that is not a Student nor Home license.
6. Specify the Download Folder and Platform. You can download for multiple platforms if desired.
7. Specify Products to Download. (You can use the checkbox at the top to check or uncheck all boxes)
8. Confirm the products and platforms to download.
9. Complete the Download. Depending on your products and connection speed, this can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours.

Note: For trial licenses, the ISO is only available for trial licenses generated by the MathWorks Sales Department.

ISO Image

License Administrators can download the ISO image, which contains all of the installation files that are on the DVD. For R2018b and newer, License Administrators have the option to download an ISO image for each update level.

For more information about downloading .iso files, please see the following support article:

How do I download a MATLAB ISO archive?

Once done, you may refer to the link below for instructions on how to install using the ISO:

How do I install MathWorks products using an ISO image?

Downloads Page (R2013b and older)

For R2013b and older, the only method to install is by downloading the installation files via the Downloads page. The files are accessible by both the License Administrators and the Licensed End Users. 

For instructions on downloading R2013b and older, please refer to the following link:

How do I download MATLAB R2013b and earlier?

[David Djerf]

Cannot find the "download only" option in the Matlab 2018b installer. Did you remove that?

[Dennis Bulgrien]

Agreed. In the R2018b download step 4. Choose "Download Only" is not there and the Next > button seems to move on to local installation.

[Walter Roberson]

I saw Download Only in R2018b installer for Mac. But then I am a license administrator as mentioned by Scott in his comment to Benedict.

[Han Li]

For 2020, I checked it for a day, and it doesn't have the option that download without installing. this is a wrong application guide, waste our time

[Walter Roberson]

Only license administrators and technical contacts are given the option to download .ISO files.

[Systems Management]

Once I download the offline installer and extract it, where do I put the files as it relates to the windows installation files? I want to have all of the files on a share for the installations so that they don't have to go to the web.

[Walter Roberson]

You would run the online installer in download only mode, having it write to the directory you intend to share from. You do not need to extract any further than that: the installer expects to deal with zip archives of the toolboxes.

[sandhiya m]

matlab 2013 a software

[Walter Roberson]

https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/101074-how-do-i-download-matlab-and-other-mathworks-products-for-r2013b-and-earlier-releases

[Adel Sakkir]

I am trying to download 2020b.

I am getting an Error saying,

"Unable to locate the required files. To use a File installation key, you must run the installer from the directory, that contains the installation files."

According to your instructions below, I went to advanced options in search for an option called "I want to install without downloading". The option is present but it cannot be clicked on.

Would appreciate some help!

[Walter Roberson]

Adel Sakkir :

The installation process had two setup.exe involved. The first one is present to download files. The second one does the installation once files have been downloaded, and has to be run from the directory the files are stored in. If you accidentally ran the second one thinking it was the one to download files, then you would run into the problems you describe.

[Adel Sakkir]

Thank you for responding,

As soon as the file was downloaded from the website, I clicked on it. After unzipping it automatically, it opened up the MATLAB Product Installer window. I typed in the Liscence key I had. It was then this error was shown.

How can I do it differently or even run the file from the directory the files are stored in ?

[Chenghao Zhang]

从bin文件夹找setup_legacy，打开它你就能安装了

[優樹 池谷]

Click on Advanced Options and select "I want to download without installing"

-> I can't select "I want to download without installing"

why? what should I do?

[Stephan Sprinz]

I'm trying to download the version R2021b. I follow all instructions as above but the process of downloading crashes at 99% (after the actual download, while extracting). I'm downloading the Linux version using a Windows-PC. Can anybody help me?

[Rik]

You could try extracting the files yourself. The target folder will contain a zip file (and the files it did manage to unzip).

Answer 2

[Paul Lebow]

These instructions are poor and incomplete and possibly incorrect. It doesn't make sense to download a version of Matlab for the downloading computer rather than the target off-line computer. It also leaves one hanging without explaining how to download the complete set of install files. The ISO files are a real pain and not supported directly with windows. Why can't one get all the info needed from one location rather than jumping all around the web?

[Kyle Perry]

Hi Paul,

The instructions in the answer provided are correct, these instructions are intended to walk people through how to get install files that they can move to a secure computer. ISOs are supported natively on Windows 10, however if you are not running Windows 10, you can consult your IT about what program to use for mounting the ISO. Additionally, you can treat the ISO like a zip file and unzip the ISO and run the setup.exe located inside.

I have attached a link below that explains all the various steps involved in installing MATLAB on an offline computer.

https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/105854

If you have any trouble with this process, please contact us and we can absolutely help you with the installation.

www.mathworks.com/support/contact_us/

[Cyriel De Jong]

Paul is right! Ho do you install on LInux in a silent mode? Instructions are incomprehensible!

[Colin Fraser]

Hi,

If you are still experiencing this issue, please contact MathWorks support:

https://www.mathworks.com/support/contact_us.html

-Colin Fraser

[Charlie Pilgrim]

I'm sorry but any guide or instruction that includes the phrase "consult your IT" is worthless

[Walter Roberson]

A guide or instruction that says to consult your IT is not worthless! There is no possible guide that can cover all the possible custom configurations. A guide can cover the what would be true for a default installation of an os and program, and perhaps a few of the more common variations, but if an installation has deliberately removed commands or features then at some point the guide is going to have to say "Ask the people who put your system together what you are intended to do in this case, as they obviously do not want you to use the obvious steps."

iso files have been supported directly in windows since Windows 8, nearly 8 years old.

[Guillermo Gonzalez]

I very stongly agree with Paul. I have Key Activation Number and licence file from my License Manager.... and still I have an error message. This is incredibly annoying. I downloaded 2020b since it states "As of R2020a, anyone can download installation files through the installer. " MathWorks Support Team answer lead nowhere.

[Walter Roberson]

It seems to me that I am seeing a couple of people here saying that if the instructions do not cover every possible version of Windows in every possible configuration, on every possible hardware, that the instructions are useless.

Windows 10 is estimated to have 50 million lines of code. It is... unrealistic... to expect that Mathworks would be able to write an installation guide that can cover all the possibilities.

[Eric Dowty]

I agree with the frustration of above users. The community is asking for some basic installation instructions that cover very common platforms. Most of the answers with Mathworks seem to be links to other questions that didn't really get answered. Also, stating "contact Mathworks support" or "contact your IT department" is an easy copout to not answering the questions. It would be appreciated if some basic guides could be posted for someone to install Matlab on things like a clean Centos 6/7 system. That is a very basic ask and I do not believe that is asking too much given the cost of licenses.

[Asad Sukale]

Same for me. These "explainings" are quite useless and just a waste of time. I did better by finding out myself. Very sad for a company that demands so much money for their products!

[Walter Roberson]

The comprehensive installation guide being asked for is not going to happen. I guarantee it.

It is not possible for Mathworks (or anyone else) to anticipate all possible installation situations.

For example, the rulesets I installed in my Cisco Pix 501 are extensive and based upon a lot of observation of traffic flow and comparison to multiple vendors security documentation (and some important vendors' security requirements documentation is pretty wrong.) I wrote my own configuration language for it. And the device hasn't been sold in at least 13 years. There is no possible way that Mathworks would be able to anticipate exactly what would have to be altered in the data files for the configuration language that I wrote.

CentOS? CentOS is not one of the supported Linux releases!! https://www.mathworks.com/support/requirements/matlab-system-requirements.html Ubuntu, Debian, RHE, SUSE.

When you install MATLAB on a Linux release that is not supported, then you are implicitly saying that you know your Linux release well enough that you will debug and fix any problems yourself.

[Keith]

This statement is illogical. All you need is an online and offline install document for both Windows and Linux.

Answer 3

[Benedict Bauer]

I downloaded the installer an startet it. But there is no option like Download only. The next step after login to a MathWorks account is to choose a licence followed by choose installation folder.

I don't know what to do now...

[Miloslav Hevjarik]

Same here with Matlab2016b. No option "download only" !

[moshe golan]

Me too

[Ja Kr]

Me to. How to get the option?

[Halushka]

Me too!

[Scott]

The Download Only option is only available for license administrators. Contact your license administrator for assistance.

[Sung-il Kwon]

I am one of license administrators but stll cannot get file installation key or downloads without installing options

[Walter Roberson]

Sorry, the volunteers who answer questions here do not have access to the license database. You will need to contact Mathworks Support for free installation assistance.

Answer 4

[Vishal Jadhav]

How do I contact a Matlab license Admin to download Matlab files?

[Lowell Day]

If you are a Licensed End User, you can find your License Administrator's contact info in the License Center:

• Go to https://www.mathworks.com/licensecenter/
• Log into your account (if prompted)
• Click on license number
• Click on "Contact Administrators" tab

If you are not a Licensed End User, contact MathWorks Customer Support:

https://www.mathworks.com/support/contact_us.html

Answer 5

[Halushka]

I do not see a "download only" option - why??

[Scott]

The Download Only option is only available for license administrators. Contact your license administrator for assistance.

Answer 6

[ABDULLAH ALOTAIBI]

how many devices can I use License for?

[Walter Roberson]

Student licenses, and Home licenses may only be activated on one device at a time.

Academic licenses maybe activated on two devices per authorized user. This includes Total Academic Headcount (TAH) licenses that are provided for students to use

Commercial / Professional licenses have several different forms available. Node Locked licenses can be activated only on one device at a time. Named User licenses can be activated on up to four devices at a time. Networked licenses are not activated against devices.

Answer 7

[reem s]

Please help me I want to use Matlab trial version for thirty days I tried several times But refuses to install and appears on the screen " Is there a problem or problem with the site MATLAB? Please help me

[Justin Ghetti]

Hi,

If you are still experiencing this issue, please contact MathWorks support:

https://www.mathworks.com/support/contact_us.html

-Justin

Answer 8

[Kun Jiang]

下载SIMULINK是一直出现下载失败是为什么

Answer 9

[sajib sutradhar]

how i can download matlab

[Colin Fraser]

You can go to the link below to download MATLAB. You will need a MathWorks account to do so.

https://www.mathworks.com/downloads/web_downloads/

-Colin Fraser

Answer 10

[Michael Purwoadi]

After putting the File Installation Key, the R2009b installer says :

"There are no products available to install from this location. You may need to download the appropriate products from our web-site (www.mathworks.com).

I indeed downloaded the files from https://www.mathworks.com/licensecenter/. I can't procede the installation automatically using the Internet (recommended) since it said "An error occurred while contacting the MathWorks. Please try again later"

No way to procede the installation of my Matlab R2009b with my license.

[Rik]

contact MathWorks support https://www.mathworks.com/support/contact_us.html

This is not an answer, but a support query. Alternatively you could post your own question. R2009b is sufficiently old that it may require some special steps to get working.

Answer 11

[Nanu]

I cannot find the "Advanced Options" at the Download page.

[Steven Lord]

@Nanu Check with your license administrator to determine if they have disallowed this option for users of the license they administer.

Answer 12

[HHLR Admins]

I installed by logging in to our mathworks account, giving the password and the installation went forward and completed successfully.

We have also configured our central license server holding valid matlab licenses using

export LM_LICENSE_FILE=...

in the environment.

However, when I now try to start matlab, the GUI asks AGAIN for a login to mathworks?!!

We are operating a HPC cluster with 630 nodes for hundreds of users and cannot afford to hand over our Mathworks account to EVERYONE wanting to use matlab!!

Why is matlab so nailed up?!

Furthermore, I cannot find ANY DOWNLOAD LOCATION for the so-called "installation files" to do an offline installation, if that's what I need.

[Walter Roberson]

https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/259632-how-can-i-get-matlab-installation-files-for-use-on-an-offline-machine

Answer 13

[Martin Montag]

Agree to

https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/259632-how-can-i-get-matlab-installation-files-for-use-on-an-offline-machine#comment_612875

that no option for offline installation comes. Instead it installs on the download machine.

It would be nice to modify the instructions? As in the above

5. For R2019b and earlier: Choose "Download Only" <----- DOES NOT EXIST.

It is not available as option.

When proceding to "Install" it queries folder etc. as described by others. If we continue it

• downloads AND\
• installs to the given folder
• modifies system path (and other system variables?)

So certainly there is no "just download" (as you have for other large software, like miktex net installer, say).

Afterwards the installer goes on to activation (which could be done with a license file - yet we don't want install on the download machine)!

Even though I'm starting from within the license center itself, there is no option to download installation files to be copied to another machine. (version 2018a)

How can I get the installation files to my disconnected machine?

(NOTE: there is also no download option for iso in the license center, hence the other post on downloading iso offerers no alternative.)

This thread is named "install on an offline machine". Could you please post how this should work for Matlab 2018a? Thank you.

[Stefanie Schwarz]

For R2019b and earlier, only License Administrators can download a complete set of installation files using the MathWorks installer. Contact your license administrator for assistance:

https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/302775-who-is-my-license-administrator

[Martin Montag]

It is an individual license.

(I had no problem downloading the license file. Just an "Adminitrators tab" is not there after clicking on the license number. Anyway, who else should be my administrator, given that I bought the license myself?)

[James]

You are not going to see this option since you are only tied to a Student license.

[Martin Montag]

Ok. Thank you for clarification.