MATLAB: Does MATLAB always start up in the “C:\Windows\system32\” folder

MATLAB

I just installed a new version of MATLAB and it always starts up in the "C:\Windows\system32\" folder. I tried using the path tool to fix this but it did not seem to help.

Also, when I query the value of "userpath", it returns an empty string.

I tried executing "restoredefaultpath" and then "savepath", but this did not seem to fix the issue.

Best Answer

The startup folder is set to the userpath value, whose default value is "Documents\MATLAB". The userpath folder is automatically added to the search path. If there is a value specified in the Start in field of the Properties dialog box for the MATLAB program, that value is the startup folder, although the userpath is added to the search path.

If MATLAB does not find a valid userpath value upon startup, and the Start in field is empty, the startup folder is C:\Windows\System32.

In order to change the startup folder, please execute the following command:

>> userpath('reset');

Restart MATLAB.

When MATLAB restarts, it should start in the default startup folder which on a Windows system is "My Documents\MATLAB".

You can then use the path tool to change this setting to any custom startup location.

Related Solutions

MATLAB: How to move the ‘pathdef.m’ file from its default location to another location in MATLAB 8.1 (R2013a)

The ability to select an arbitrary location for the MATLAB path file 'pathdef.m' is not available in MATLAB 8.1 (R2013a). One possible workaround is detailed below.

By default, the 'pathdef.m' file may be located in either the '$MATLABROOT/toolbox/local' directory or the '$USERPATH' directory, where $MATLABROOT and $USERPATH are the directories displayed after entering the commands

matlabroot

and

userpath

at the MATLAB command line respectively.

The 'pathdef.m' file can be manually copied from either of these directories and placed in an arbitrary directory. To use the copied 'pathdef.m' file at initialization, create a MATLAB file titled 'startup.m' and place it in the '$USERPATH' directory. Copy the lines of code below to the file. If a 'startup.m' file already exists in '$USERPATH', add the lines of code to the end of the file:

% save starting directory
startdir = pwd ;
% specify arbitrary directory containing pathdef.m
pathdir = '<MODIFY>' ;
% change directory so that target 'pathdef.m' has highest precedence
% in the MATLAB search path
cd(pathdir)
% set the MATLAB search path using PATH
path(pathdef)
% change directory back to the starting directory
cd(startdir)

Make sure to modify the string marked "MODIFY" in the above code to the directory to which the 'pathdef.m' file was copied. The 'startup.m' script will be automatically executed upon MATLAB initialization.

MATLAB: Doesn’t the startup.m file work

Is your "startup.m" file located at your userpath? If it is located somewhere else, you may not get the behavior that you are expecting.

To locate your userpath, type:

>> userpath

To locate your "startup.m" file (if it is somewhere on your path), type:

>> which startup

The "userpath" is the standard location for the "startup.m" file. Here is the MATLAB Documentation page describing the use of a "startup.m" file:

https://www.mathworks.com/help/matlab/ref/startup.html

Best Answer

Related Solutions

MATLAB: How to move the ‘pathdef.m’ file from its default location to another location in MATLAB 8.1 (R2013a)

MATLAB: Doesn’t the startup.m file work

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