Limit SQL Server memory usage

Use the sp_configure system stored procedure with the max server memory option to limit the amount of memory in the buffer pool used by an instance of SQL Server or MSDE. This will prevent SQL Server from using more than the specified amount of memory, thus leaving remaining memory available to start other applications quickly.

Enable advanced options:

USE master
EXEC sp_configure 'show advanced options', 1
RECONFIGURE WITH OVERRIDE

Set the maximum amount of memory to 4096 MB:

USE master
EXEC sp_configure 'max server memory (MB)', 4096
RECONFIGURE WITH OVERRIDE

Display the newly set configuration:

USE master
EXEC sp_configure 'max server memory (MB)'

Set 'show advanced options' back to default:

USE master
EXEC sp_configure 'show advanced options', 0
RECONFIGURE WITH OVERRIDE