Esse problema ocorre na instalação do Microsoft Windows SDK for Windows 7 and .NET Framework 4, compilador frequentemente usado para gerar arquivos .mex no Matlab.
A solução que funcionou encontrei aqui e reproduzo:
This is an issue with Microsoft Windows SDK 7.1. It may occur under two scenarios:
1. If you have Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 SP1 (Express or Professional) installed.
2. If you have Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 redistributable packages (x64 or x86) installed.
The details on the issue from Microsoft are below:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2717426
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2519277
To avoid this issue:
1. Uninstall the Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 redistributable packages (both x86 as well as x64) from “Control Panel” > “Programs and Features”. If you have trouble uninstalling them, see related solution 1-NBI41W at the bottom.
2. Install the Windows SDK 7.1. During installation, under the “Installation Options” menu, UNCHECK the “Visual C++ Compilers” and “Microsoft Visual C++ 2010” components.
3. Apply the SDK 7.1 patch from below:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=4422
4. Reinstall the Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 redistributable packages.
x64:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=14632
x86:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=5555