How to Obtain MATLAB
Eligibility
Students, Researchers, and Faculty who have active netID can obtain access to the MATLAB by signing into the Northwestern MATLAB Portal.
New User
- Go to Northwestern University’s MATLAB Portal.
- Scroll down to "Sign-in to Get Started."
- Create a MathWorks Account using you NU-email.
- Click "Download Installer" to get started.
Current Users
- Go to Northwestern University’s MATLAB Portal
- Scroll down to "Sign-in to Get Started."
- Sign-in with your NU-email, this will automatically link your previous account with the campus-wide license (40941043).
- If you also have an old license(s) appearing, be sure to deactivate your old license.
Deactivating Old Licenses
MATLAB is still installed on the computer
- Launch MATLAB.
- Click on "Help" in the MATLAB toolstrip, right beneath the question mark in the white circle. (Click on the "Home" tab if you don't see the help menu).
- Hover over "Licensing."
- Click on "Deactivate Software..." from the licensing submenu and follow the on-screen instructions.
In MATLAB R2012a and earlier there is no toolstrip, so the Licensing submenu is in the help menu.
MATLAB has been uninstalled
If you are unable to launch MATLAB or MATLAB has already been uninstalled, you will need to launch the deactivation client manually. On Windows, the deactivation client remains on the computer even if MATLAB has been uninstalled. Assuming MATLAB was installed in the default location, the deactivation client is located here:
C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R20XXx\uninstall\bin\winXX\deactivate_matlab.exe
Once the activation client has been launched, follow the on-screen instructions.
MATLAB installation folder has been deleted and have the deactivation string
Please log into your MathWorks account
- Select the license you are deactivating.
- Select the install and activate tab.
- Under Related Tasks, on the right side, there will be a deactivate a computer link. Select this link.
- The activation list should show up now. There will be a X underneath the deactivate column, click on the X.
- Enter your deactivation string in the proper field and select Submit Deactivation String.
This will deactivate the computer in our systems.
MATLAB installation folder has been deleted but do not have the deactivation string
Please log into your MathWorks account.
- Select the license you are deactivating.
- Select the install and activate tab.
- Under Related Tasks, on the right side, there will be a deactivate a computer link. Select this link.
- The activation list should show up now. There will be a X underneath the deactivate column, click on the X.
- The Deactivation form will populate, and at the bottom of the form above the buttons you will see the option for 'Manual Deactivation Agreement'. Click onto 'Manual Deactivation Agreement.'
- Answer the two questions and type your name in for confirmation.
This will deactivate the computer in our systems.
License Types
Individual License
This will be the most commonly used license. You can install and run the software on multiple computers.
Concurrent License
A Concurrent license enables you to make MATLAB available to anyone with access to your shared server. This is ideal for classroom or lab use. Reach out to your school specific admin with questions about how to obtain access or setup this for your students.
Designated License
This is the least commonly used license. This license can be used in the case you want to use MATLAB offline machine. If you are an affiliate this is the only license you will be able to use to access MATLAB.
School Specific MATLAB Admin
The MATLAB license expires annually in September. Contact your MATLAB administrator to renew your license.