Removing or Disabling MathType Commands in Word

The information in this document applies to:

Issue

For various reasons, some users do not want the MathType Commands to automatically load when Word is launched, or they want to temporarily disable them while Word is running. Among other things, this allows them to increase the speed of Word's startup or gives them access to some of Microsoft Word's advanced features which are modified by the MathType Commands.

Solution

The steps below provide users with two different resolutions to this problem. The first set of instructions will detail how to stop the MathType Commands for Word from loading at startup and provide you with an alternative way of loading the add-in when you need MathType's commands and toolbar in Microsoft Word. The second set of instructions will allow the MathType Commands to load when Word starts up, but the user will be able to activate and deactivate the commands whenever necessary. Separate instructions are provided for our MathType 5 and MathType 4 users:

Moving the MathType 5 add-in out of your Microsoft Word Startup folder:

1. Locate your Microsoft Office folder, which is in your Program Files directory by default.
2. Microsoft Word 97 and 2000 users, open the Office folder inside the Microsoft Office folder. Microsoft Word 2002 (XP) users, open the Office10 folder.
3. Inside it is a folder called Startup.
4. Delete MathType Commands 5 for Word.dot (you should not delete the file MathPage.wll as this will not allow you to reactivate the commands as described below.)

At this point, when you launch Microsoft Word, the additional MathType commands and toolbar should no longer appear in Microsoft Word. You can now activate the add-in when required.

Deactivating the MathType 5 add-in when Word is running:

1. Choose Tools>Templates and Add-ins.
2. In the list of currently active templates, uncheck the box next to MathType Commands 5 for Word.dot.
3. Click OK.
4. The MathType add-in will now be disabled temporarily.
5. To reactivate the add-in, choose Tools>Templates and Add-ins, check the box next to MathType Commands 5 for Word.dot and click OK.

Activating the MathType 5 add-in for Microsoft Word manually when needed:

If you want the functionality of the MathType add-in for just a single project, you can activate it temporarily.

1. Launch Microsoft Word.
2. Choose Tools>Templates and Add-ins.
3. Press the Add button.
4. Navigate to your MathType directory. The Windows default is C:\Program Files\MathType.
5. Open the Office Support folder inside the MathType folder, which is where MathType's add-in for Microsoft Word is located.
6. Select MathType Commands 5 for Word.dot.
7. Click OK. You will be returned to the Templates and Add-Ins dialog. MathType's add-in will appear on the list of currently active templates and add-ins. Click OK to close the window and return to Microsoft Word.

When an add-in is activated and added to this list, it appears checked in the list, indicating that it is currently loaded. The next time you launch Microsoft Word, the template will not be loaded, but if you open the Templates and Add-ins dialog, the MathType add-in will appear in the list and you can simply check the box to activate it.

Moving the MathType 4 add-in out of your Microsoft Word Startup folder

If you decide that you will rarely, or never, want to use the additional functionality that the MathType macros add, you need to remove the MathType add-in from Microsoft Word's Startup folder.

1. If you are using Windows 2000, Me, or XP, double-click on My Computer, choose Tools>Folder Options, click on the View tab, and under Hidden Files and Folders, make sure that "Show Hidden Files and Folders" is selected. Click OK and close My Computer.
2. Launch Microsoft Word.
3. Under the Tools menu, select Options.
4. Click on the File Locations tab.
5. In the list of File Types, click on Startup Folder to select it.
6. If you are using Windows, you may notice that the filename may appear with dots in the name like C:\...\Startup\Word. To get the full pathname, press the Modify button to display the full text of the path.
7. Note the location of the startup folder.
8. If you are using Windows and have opened the Modify windows, click Cancel to close it.
9. Close the Preferences or Options dialog.
10. Quit Microsoft Word.
11. Go to the folder designated as Microsoft Word's Startup folder.
12. Delete the MathType add-in.

At this point, when you launch Microsoft Word, the additional MathType commands and toolbar should no longer appear in Microsoft Word. You can now activate the add-in when required.

Deactivating the MathType 4 add-in when Word is running:

1. Choose Tools>Templates and Add-ins.
2. In the list of currently active templates, uncheck the box next to MathType Commands for Word [version].dot.
3. Click OK.
4. The MathType add-in will now be disabled temporarily.
5. To reactivate the add-in, choose Tools>Templates and Add-ins, check the box next to MathType Commands for Word [version].dot and click OK.

Activating the MathType 4 add-in for Microsoft Word manually when you need it

If you want the functionality of the MathType add-in for just a single project, you can activate it temporarily.

1. Launch Microsoft Word.
2. Word 95 users should choose File>Templates.
3. Word 97, 2000 and 2002 for Windows users should choose Tools>Templates and Add-ins.
4. Press the Add button.
5. Navigate to your MathType directory. The Windows default is C:\Program Files\MathType.
6. Open the Office Support (Win) folder inside the MathType folder, which is where MathType's add-ins for Microsoft Word are located.
7. Select the appropriate add-in for the version of Microsoft Word that you are using.
8. Click OK. You will be returned to the Templates and Add-Ins dialog. MathType's add-in will appear on the list of currently active templates and add-ins. Click OK to close the window and return to Microsoft Word.

When an add-in is activated and added to this list, it appears checked in the list, indicating that it is currently loaded. The next time you launch Microsoft Word, the template will not be loaded, but if you open the Templates and Add-ins dialog, the MathType add-in will appear in the list and you can simply check the box to activate it.

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