"MathType Preferences Problem" when inserting equations into Microsoft Word

The information in this document applies to:
 

Issue:

Inserting an equation into Microsoft Word fails with "MathType Preferences Problem" error messages:

1. "There was a problem sending your equation preferences for this document to MathType. This equation will use MathType's 'New Equation' preferences." Dismissing this error message prompts the next.

2. "The program used to create this object is Equation. That program is not installed on your computer. To edit this object, you must install a program that that can open the object."

Reason:

Resulting from a variety of causes (in connection to Microsoft's User Account Control), MathType becomes configured to run in "XP Compatibility mode" which prompts such error messages.

Solution:

Disable Windows XP compatibility mode. If Windows XP compatibility mode is required, the UAC notification settings must be set to 'Never notify'.

To disable compatibility mode:

1. Navigate to the MathType application directory. The location is dependent on whether you have a 32 or 64-bit operating system as indicated in the System Properties (press Start and right-click on 'Computer'):

   • For Windows 7 32-bit - Press Start and type "%programfiles%\MathType" into the Search field (without quotes) and press enter.

   • For Windows 7 64-bit - Press Start and type "%programfiles(x86)%\MathType" into the Search field (without quotes) and press enter.

2. Right-click MathType.exe (or the blue Sigma) and select Properties.

3. Click the Compatibility tab.

4. Uncheck 'Run this program in compatibility mode...' and press OK.

To disable the UAC notifications:

1. Open the User Accounts tool in the Control Panel.

2. Press the link to 'Change User Account Control settings'.

3. Slide the vertical scroll bar to 'Never Notify' and press OK.

4. Reboot is required.

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