how to undock (not dock) script editor and figure by default in 2025a?

in previous releases if i drag the script editor out (undock it) once then it would be undocked by default, but it doesn`t seems to be the case in 2025a.

Also, how to make the figure undock by default in 2025a? imo the new figure window is clunky and is not well designed.

Answer 1

[dpb]

The <documentation> specifically states that a new session should reopoen in the configuration as presently arranged when exit and then start a new session.

Save Desktop Layout

When you end a session, MATLAB saves your current desktop layout. So, the next time you start MATLAB, the desktop looks them same.

To save a layout for future use, go to the Home tab, and in the Environment section, select Layout > Save Current Layout. MATLAB stores all layouts in the settings folder. To open or manage saved layouts, click Layout and select your saved layout or right-click to delete or rename it.

If this isn't happening, report it as a bug...perhaps not terribly surprising with the new desktop arrangement that is such a major rewrite from previous.

Answer 2

[Ritika Thusoo]

Hi,

You can use ‘startup’ file- a user defined script in ‘MATLAB’. Here is the documentation page for your reference:

https://www.mathworks.com/help/releases/R2025a/matlab/ref/startup.html?searchHighlight=startup&s_tid=doc_srchtitle

Follow the documentation page to set up the ‘startup.m’ file. You can then add this sample code to the starup file to undock by default on starting a new session:

% set(0, 'DefaultFigureColormap', autumn(64))

set(0, 'DefaultFigureWindowStyle', 'undocked')

set(0, 'DefaultFigureColormap', summer(64))

% set(0, 'DefaultFigureWindowStyle', 'docked')

set(0, 'DefaultEditorWindowStyle', 'undocked')

set(groot, "defaultFigureWindowStyle", "normal");

You can also refer the following documentations for further reference:

1. https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/295706-how-do-i-prevent-figure-container-from-getting-docked-by-default?s_tid=answers_rc1-1_p1_Topic
2. https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/2177771-how-to-permanently-undock-all-future-generated-figures-r2025a