How does MATLAB R2017a access the script files of previous version installed on same pc?

I had MATLAB R2016a installed on my device and was working with it. I installed R2017a version on another directory on the same pc and to my astonishment the script files of previous installation were opened automatically in the new version. How does MATLAB collect these files stored in other directory under older version?

Answer 1

[Cam Salzberger]

When a new version of MATLAB is installed, it checks for old versions and their preferences, and attempts to migrate them over to the new version of MATLAB as a convenience to the user. This includes recent files, files open in the editor, and current directories. Those will be opened upon starting the new MATLAB, if the appropriate settings were enabled in the old version.

If you're curious where these settings are stored, you can run prefdir in the MATLAB version you want to know about.

-Cam