The location of the license.lic file depends on your operating system and whether you are using an Individual (Standalone) license or a Network Concurrent license. 1. Windows
Re-download the file. Ensure it is saved strictly as a plain text file ( .lic ), not a rich text document ( .rtf or .txt ). Best Practices for License Maintenance
If MATLAB fails to open, it is likely due to a licensing error. Here are the most common scenarios: A. "License Manager Error -9" (License File Does Not Exist)
: Renew your subscription or agreement through your organization's software portal, download the updated license.lic file, and overwrite the expired file in your installation directory. license.lic matlab
MATLAB from R2008a onwards follows a specific order to locate license information. This search order applies to local installations. Understanding this hierarchy is crucial for troubleshooting:
It’s one of the most common search terms for MATLAB users: . But what exactly is this file? Why does it cause so many headaches? And how do you handle it legally and safely?
Troubleshooting and Managing the MATLAB license.lic File: A Comprehensive Guide The location of the license
: The file will continue with various INCREMENT lines for each toolbox (e.g., INCREMENT MATLAB , INCREMENT SIMULINK ), which contain your encrypted product passcodes. 3. For Individual/Standalone Licenses Update or Modify Network License Files - MATLAB & Simulink
The file license.lic is the standard filename used for the license file required to activate and run MathWorks products, including MATLAB. This plain text file acts as a digital key, containing encrypted information that dictates which toolboxes you are allowed to use, how many users can access the software simultaneously, and the expiration dates of your license.
You rarely create this file yourself. The standard workflow is: Ensure it is saved strictly as a plain text file (
If your license has renewed or you have been granted access to new toolboxes, you will need to update your file. Method 1: Using the MATLAB Activation Wizard (Easiest) Close MATLAB. Launch the . Windows: Start Menu > MathWorks > Activate R20XXx.
. It is often automatically created during the activation process and placed in a hidden user profile folder. Network/Concurrent Licenses: In these environments, the license.lic file is used to install the Network License Manager . Once installed, it is typically processed into a license.dat file on the server, while client machines use a network.lic file to point to that server. Sign-in Licensing: Modern installations may use a license_info.xml
A license.lic is plain text with entries like:
If you are setting up a new computer, migrating servers, or recovering from a system crash, you can download your license file directly from MathWorks.
Understanding the relationships between these files is essential for administrators. With a basic understanding, you can manually convert between them: