# Modifying the Heap Size

> This article contains the steps needed to modify the minimum (Xms) and maximum (Xmx) heap size for the application.

URL: https://www.hannonhill.com/cascadecms/latest/articles/cascade-administration/installation-and-upgrades/system-configuration/modify-heap-size.html
category: Cascade Administration
article-type: how-to
content-kind: article
release-availability: all
tags: installation
updated: 2026-10-06

## Linux/*nix

1. Stop Cascade CMS
1. Edit the *cascade.sh* file (found in the Cascade CMS root directory).
1. Add/Modify the `-Xmx` and `-Xms` parameters in `JAVA_OPTS`. For example, the following line sets both the minimum and maximum heap size to **4096M**:  `export JAVA_OPTS="-Xms4096M -Xmx4096M -Djava.awt.headless=true -Dfile.encoding=UTF-8"`
1. Start Cascade CMS.

## Windows (service)

1. Right-click the *CascadeCMSw.exe* file (found in *tomcat/bin*) and select the **Run as Administrator** option.
1. In the configuration UI click on the **Java** tab.
1. Enter a value for the **Initial memory pool** field.
1. Enter a value for the **Maximum memory pool** field.
1. Click **Apply**.
1. Restart the Cascade CMS service.

## Windows (command line)

1. Stop Cascade CMS.
1. Edit the *cascade.bat* file (found in the Cascade CMS root directory).
1. Add/Modify the `-Xmx` and `-Xms` parameters in `JAVA_OPTS`. For example, the following line sets both the minimum and maximum heap size to **4096M**:  `set JAVA_OPTS="-Xms4096M -Xmx4096M -Djava.awt.headless=true -Dfile.encoding=UTF-8"`
1. Start Cascade CMS.