Why does the Matlab Windows Uninstaller leave files behind, including java binaries, the uninstaller, and the product folder that should have been removed?

Why does the Matlab Windows Uninstaller (tested up to R2023a R2) leave so many files behind when it’s done? In an age where cybersecurity is increasingly important, leaving behind java and java binaries e.g., R2023a\sys\java\jre\win64\jre\bin, or the uninstaller package itself, seems careless.

Yes, I know that these files could be manually deleted after the fact, but with application installs and removals being automated remotely by EDM (Enterprise device management), the expectation is that an application's uninstaller should remove everything including its files/executables, and the base application folder.

For a R2023a R2 install, then subsequent uninstall, the uninstaller leaves behind 452 files in 66 folders, totaling 212 MB

[Kautuk Raj]

Some files or folders may be shared by multiple applications or components on the system, and uninstalling one application may not remove all of the shared components. In the case of Matlab, the Java runtime environment may be used by many applications and may be shared across multiple installations, which could explain why the uninstaller leaves some Java-related files behind.

[Jeffrey Sessler]

@Kautuk Raj The files in question are all within the R2023a directory. They are not installed outside the application folder, and are not shared by anything else.

Answer 1

[Anshuman]

Hi Jeffrey,

The MATLAB Windows Uninstaller is designed to remove the majority of files and directories associated with MATLAB during the uninstallation process. However, it is possible that some files or directories may be left behind due to various reasons.

1. MATLAB allows users to customize their preferences, settings, and toolboxes. During the uninstallation process, the Windows Uninstaller may not remove user-specific preferences or customizations to avoid unintentionally deleting important user data.
2. MATLAB may utilize shared libraries and dependencies that are used by other applications or components on your system. The Windows Uninstaller may not remove these shared files to avoid interfering with other software that relies on them.
3. If you have installed additional toolboxes or add-ons in MATLAB, the Windows Uninstaller may not remove these components as they are considered separate installations. You may need to uninstall them individually using their respective uninstallation procedures.

Hope it helps!

[Jeffrey Sessler]

@Anshuman The uninstaller leaves Matlab executables behind including the uninstaller. It's just a bad process and needs to be improved. As I mentioned to the other poster, these executables and other files are self-contained within the Matlab version install directory and are not used/linked to other applications. I can insall Matlab on a generic Windows OS, nothing else done, and the Matlab installer will not remove 100% of itself, including the uninstaller.

I've sent feedback via another channel within Mathworks.