/HEAP (Set Heap Size)
The latest version of this topic can be found at -HEAP (Set Heap Size).
HEAP:reserve[,commit]
## Remarks
The /HEAP option sets the size of the heap in bytes. This option is only for use when building an .exe file.
The *reserve* argument specifies the total heap allocation in virtual memory. The default heap size is 1 MB. The linker rounds up the specified value to the nearest 4 bytes.
The optional `commit` argument is subject to interpretation by the operating system. In Windows NT/Windows 2000, it specifies the amount of physical memory to allocate at a time. Committed virtual memory causes space to be reserved in the paging file. A higher `commit` value saves time when the application needs more heap space, but increases the memory requirements and possibly the startup time.
Specify the *reserve* and `commit` values in decimal or C-language notation.
This functionality is also available via a module definition file with [HEAPSIZE](../Topic/HEAPSIZE.md).
### To set this linker option in the Visual Studio development environment
1. Open the project's **Property Pages** dialog box. For details, see [Setting Visual C++ Project Properties](../Topic/Working%20with%20Project%20Properties.md).
2. Click the **Linker** folder.
3. Click the **System** property page.
4. Modify the **Heap Commit Size** property.
### To set this linker option programmatically
- See [HeapReserveSize](assetId:///P:Microsoft.VisualStudio.VCProjectEngine.VCLinkerTool.HeapReserveSize?qualifyHint=False&autoUpgrade=True) and [HeapCommitSize](assetId:///P:Microsoft.VisualStudio.VCProjectEngine.VCLinkerTool.HeapCommitSize?qualifyHint=False&autoUpgrade=True).
## See Also
[Setting Linker Options](../Topic/Setting%20Linker%20Options.md)
[Linker Options](../Topic/Linker%20Options.md)