How can I package the MATLAB Runtime Installer with my standalone application from a specific directory?

I am using the Application Compiler to build standalone desktop applications from my MATLAB code with MATLAB Compiler. I am using the "Runtime included in package" option to package the MATLAB Runtime with my application installer.

I am using "compiler.runtime.download" to download the ZIP-file for the MATLAB Runtime installer. However, the file is downloaded to a temporary directory. For example, the MATLAB Runtime for R2024a on Windows is downloaded to: 

C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Temp\<username>\MCRInstaller24.1\MATLAB_Runtime_R2024a_Update_4_win64.zip

After a few days, the temporary directory is cleared by my operating system, and I need to redownload it in order to package the Runtime with my application installer. How can I configure MATLAB to store the Runtime installer in a non-temporary directory to package with my standalone applications?

Answer 1

[MathWorks Support Team]

Executing "compiler.runtime.download" will always download the Runtime installer ZIP-file to a temporary directory. After downloading, the file can be moved to a different location, and you can update the MATLAB preferences to point to the new location. 

Use the following procedure to store the Runtime installer in a custom directory and configure MATLAB to use that location for the "Runtime included in package" option:

1. (If you don't already have the ZIP-file for the RE installer) Execute "compiler.runtime.download" in the MATLAB Command Window.
2. After the download completes, MATLAB will print out the path where it was installed. For example: C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Temp\<username>\MCRInstaller24.1\MATLAB_Runtime_R2024a_win64.zip
3. Move the file to a permanent directory that MATLAB will be able to access. For example: C:\Program Files\MATLAB\MATLAB Runtime\MATLAB_Runtime_R2024a_win64.zip
4. In MATLAB, click the "Preferences" button in the "Environment" section of the "HOME" toolstrip.
5. Select the "MATLAB Compiler" preferences, and then enter the path from Step 3 in the text field.

Now, selecting the "Runtime included in package" option in the Application Compiler will use the Runtime installer located at the path entered in Step 5.