The file is the essential "keycard" for your MATLAB installation. Whether you are a student, a researcher, or a professional engineer, understanding how this file works, where to find it, and how to troubleshoot it is vital for keeping your projects moving forward.
At its core, the license.lic file serves as the definitive proof of license for a MATLAB installation. When a user or an institution purchases a license from MathWorks, they receive this file, which contains encrypted and plain-text information that the MATLAB license manager (typically FlexNet Publisher) reads at runtime. Without this file, MATLAB will only operate in a limited demo mode or refuse to launch entirely. The file is essentially a cryptographically signed contract between the user and the software vendor; it tells the local machine or network server which products (e.g., Simulink, Image Processing Toolbox, Optimization Toolbox) are permitted to execute. This mechanism prevents unauthorized usage and ensures that users only have access to the features they have legally acquired. license.lic matlab
license.lic (not license.txt).licenses/ folder inside your MATLAB installation directory.| License Type | license.lic Location | Purpose | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | User's local machine ( $MATLAB/licenses/ ) | Contains a cryptographic "Personal License Password" (PLP) tied to the computer's login name or host ID. | | Network Concurrent | License Server (Windows/Linux) | Contains the server's hostname, MAC address, port numbers (e.g., 27000@server), and a list of available toolboxes. | | Designated Computer | Local machine | Similar to standalone, but locked to the CPU's serial number or MAC address. | license