ARCHIVED: With Mac OS, how can I allocate more memory to an application?

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Classic applications in Mac OS X

When running Mac OS X, you don't need to manually set an application's memory size for native applications. Mac OS X adjusts the amount of memory as the application requires more or less space. However, you do need to set an application's memory size if you are running an application in Mac OS X's Classic environment. To do this, follow these directions:

Determine how much memory is available and accessible to your computer. This will give you an idea how much extra memory you can allocate to the application. From the Apple menu, select About This Mac.
Make sure the application whose memory allocation you want to increase is closed. Highlight the application's icon.
From the File menu, select Get Info or Show Info. The application's information window should open.
In the information window:
- In Mac OS X 10.2.x and later, click the arrow to the left of "Memory:" so that it is facing down.
- In Mac OS X 10.0.x and 10.1.x, from the pop-up menu, select Memory.
In the "Preferred size:" field, enter the amount of memory you'd like to allocate to the application. The "Minimum size:" field indicates the amount of free RAM needed to permit the application to run. You cannot change the "Suggested size:" field.

Earlier versions of Mac OS

To allocate more memory to an application in versions of Mac OS prior to OS X, follow these steps:

Determine how much memory is available and accessible to your computer. This will give you an idea how much extra memory you can allocate to the application. From the Apple menu, select About This Computer (for Mac OS 7.0 to 7.5.5, select About This Macintosh; for System 6, select About the Finder...).
Make sure the application whose memory allocation you want to increase is closed. Highlight the application's icon.
From the File menu, select Get Info, then Memory. (In versions before Mac OS 8.5, you only need to select Get Info.) The application's information window should open.
Increase the application's memory allocation. The method differs slightly between older and newer versions of the operating system:
- In Mac OS 7.5 and later, in the information window you will see an area labeled "Memory Requirements". In the "Preferred size:" field, enter the amount of memory you'd like to allocate to the application. You cannot change the "Suggested size:" field. The "Minimum size:" field indicates the amount of free RAM needed to permit the application to run. If the "Preferred size:" amount is unavailable, as long as your computer has enough RAM to satisfy the minimum requirement to run, the application will be available.
- In Mac OS 7.1 and earlier, near the bottom of the information window you will see an area labeled "Memory". In the "Current size:" field, enter the amount of memory you'd like to allocate to the application. You cannot change the "Suggested size:" field. Bear in mind that you will always need enough free RAM to cover the new amount, or the application will not run.