Why does installer fail on Windows with the error: "Installer error: exception calling main"?

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When launching the installer on Windows, the following error occurs:
Installer error
exception calling main
The installation then fails
The installer may also show this error ERROR: "There is an invalid character (!) in Your temp directory. Please remove the invalid character from your TEMP (or TMP) environment variable and run the installer again"

Accepted Answer

MathWorks Support Team
MathWorks Support Team on 16 May 2019
Edited: MathWorks Support Team on 16 May 2019
This error can occur if:
  • The installation files are corrupt or incomplete.
  • The installation files were downloaded into a folder that contains other files (i.e. not downloaded into a separate folder).
  • You are trying to install in a folder where a different MATLAB version is already installed.
  • There are one or more non-ASCII characters (e.g. an exclamation point) in the environment variables TEMP and/or TMP
  • There are one or more non-ASCII characters (e.g. an exclamation point) in your username.
To resolve this issue:
  • Obtain new installation files, and then run the installer again.
  • Move the installation files into a separate folder (e.g. C:\matlab_temp), and then run the installer again.
  • Verify that you are installing in a folder that does not contain a different MATLAB version.
  • Verify that there are no non-ASCII characters in the environment variables TEMP and/or TMP.
  • Verify that there are no non-ASCII characters in your username.
If you are running the installer from a CD or DVD, please see the following support article:
Why do I receive an "Unexpected/Unknown Exception" error when installing MATLAB from CD/DVD media?
If you are still unable to start the installer, please contact MathWorks Support:

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