MATLAB 2026a Installation and Activation Guide

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MATLAB is a proprietary multi-paradigm programming language and numeric computing environment. It allows matrix manipulations, plotting of functions and data, implementation of algorithms, creation of user interfaces, and interfacing with programs in other languages.

MATLAB is available at no charge for UNLV Faculty, Staff and Students. The UNLV license currently expires 7/31/2027.

Before you begin

System Requirements

To install MATLAB, you will need:

  • A device meeting MATLAB system requirements
  • An active UNLV MathWorks account
  • An Internet connection to download and activate MATLAB

Download MATLAB 2026a from MathWorks

Register for an account

Before you can download MATLAB, you will need to self-register for a license by creating a MathWorks account using your UNLV email address.

Download MATLAB

  1. Login to the MathWorks website. Select Sign in to get started.
  2. In the MATLAB Dashboard, select Install MATLAB.

Screenshot of MATLAB dashboard with "Install MATLAB" button highlighted

  1. At Downloads, select R2026a from Select Release. Then select Download. 

A screenshot of the MathWorks downloads page displaying options for release version R2026a. It shows a dropdown menu labeled "Select Release" set to "R2026a". Below the configuration fields, a large blue action button reads "Download for Windows," indicating a secondary text note for "R2026a Update 2 (14 May 2026)". (Note: Image 3 explicitly expands this "Select Release" dropdown menu to highlight a list of historical versions, with R2026a selected at the top ).

Verify Your Release Version

Please check and ensure that R2026a is explicitly chosen in the Select Release drop down menu before clicking download. This ensures you are downloading the newest supported version.

  A screenshot of the MathWorks Product Installer window at the "Licensing" step. The header displays the release version "R2026a" alongside a progress bar marking Licensing, Destination, Products, Options, and Confirmation. Under the "Select license" prompt, a table displays an available license row with the License number "40902587", the Label "MATLAB (Individual)", and the License Use "Academic - Total Headcount". A blue "Next" button sits at the bottom right.

The installer files should now download to your local computer.

Install MATLAB 2026a

Once the installer files have been downloaded, install MATLAB. The process is the same for Windows and macOS.

  1. Launch the installer for MATLAB 2026a. The setup will start to load.
  2. Once the main setup screen appears, type in your UNLV MathWorks email address, then select Next.
  3. Type in your UNLV MathWorks password, then select Sign In.
  4. On the License Agreement screen, select Yes, then select Next.
  5. On the Select License screen, select License 40902587, then select Next.

A screenshot of the MathWorks Product Installer window at the "Licensing" step. The header displays the release version "R2026a" alongside a progress bar marking Licensing, Destination, Products, Options, and Confirmation. Under the "Select license" prompt, a table displays an available license row with the License number "40902587", the Label "MATLAB (Individual)", and the License Use "Academic - Total Headcount". A blue "Next" button sits at the bottom right.

  1. On the Select Destination Folder screen, click Next. You can leave the destination as the default.
  2. On the Select Products screen, check the box for each product you would like to install, then select Next.
  3. On the Select Options screen, enable Add shortcut to desktop and disable Improve MATLAB by sending user experience information to MathWorks. Then select Next.
  4. On the Confirm Selections screen, select Begin Install.                                   A screenshot of the MathWorks Product Installer at the final "Confirmation" step. The screen summarizes the installation parameters: Licensing is set to "40902587 - MATLAB (Individual)", the Destination folder path is listed as "C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2026a", and the Products section states "1 of 116 products" requiring "4.98 GB". A prominent green button in the bottom right corner reads "Begin Install".
  5. Once the installation is complete, select Close.

MATLAB is now installed.

Activate MATLAB 2026a

  1. Launch MATLAB 2026a.
  2. A MathWorks Sign In window will appear. Type in your UNLV MathWorks email address, then select Next.

A screenshot of the compact MathWorks sign-in dialog window. The window displays the MathWorks company logo above an email entry box. The input field contains the example text "jdoe@unlv.nevada.edu" and is emphasized with a bold red bounding box. A blue "Next" button sits beneath it, also highlighted by a red box.

  1. Type in your UNLV MathWorks password, then select Sign In.

A screenshot of the compact MathWorks sign-in dialog window advancing to the password prompt. The user's email, "jdoe@unlv.nevada.edu", is displayed above a password field filled with masked bullet characters. Both the password field and the blue "Sign In" button directly below it are highlighted with red bounding boxes.

MATLAB is now activated.

Need Additional Help?

Users may contact MathWorks Support for assistance with MATLAB including account registration, license activation, and installation issues. For additional information, you can also contact the IT Help Desk.

Details

Details

Article ID: 2269
Created
Thu 5/28/26 3:08 PM
Modified
Thu 6/11/26 5:55 PM