.MEM File Extension
FoxPro Variable File
| Developer | Microsoft |
| Popularity |
3.6 | 33 Votes |
What is a MEM file?
A MEM file is a data file used by Microsoft Visual FoxPro (originally FoxPro), a discontinued relational database management system (RDBMS) used to build desktop database applications. It stores information about memory variables and arrays created during a Visual FoxPro session. Developers often save these variables in a MEM file to preserve the current state of a project or to share values between sessions.
More Information
MEM files are helpful for backing up temporary data and reusing sets of predefined variables (users can export memory variables to a MEM file using the SAVE TO command). Because of this, developers often used MEM files in development workflows, testing routines, and configuration management within Visual FoxPro applications.
NOTE: While Microsoft no longer develops Visual FoxPro, legacy systems and developers may still use MEM files when maintaining or interacting with older Visual FoxPro projects.
How to open a MEM file
You can open MEM files with Microsoft Visual FoxPro in Windows with the RESTORE FROM command. However, Microsoft no longer develops the program.
Programs that open MEM files
GreekToMe Memories File
| Developer | Charles H. King |
| Popularity |
3.4 | 7 Votes |
A MEM file may also be a data file created by GreekToMe, a cross-platform Greek New Testament study program. It saves the state of the different options on the user interface, which may include the book, verse, word, lexical word, author, and grammar lists. MEM files allow memory data to be saved and restored at a later time.
More Information
Memories can be exported by selecting File → Export Memories... from the application menu. You can import memories by choosing File → Import Memories....
NOTE: Future versions of GreekToMe may not be able to import older memory files, so users should consider them expendable.
Programs that open or reference MEM files
Parallels Desktop Memory Dump File
| Developer | Parallels |
| Popularity |
3.0 | 9 Votes |
A MEM file may also be a memory dump created by Parallels Desktop for Mac, a virtualization program that lets you run other operating systems on a Mac. It stores the memory contents of a virtual machine (VM) when the VM is suspended, allowing Parallels to restore the VM to the exact state it was in at that moment. MEM files enable quicker resumption of work and ensure that no data is lost between sessions.
More Information
Parallels Desktop for Mac creates a package file, saved with a .PVM or .MACVM extension, to contain all the data related to a virtual machine. Inside that package, you may find one or more MEM files alongside other files that store the VM's configuration and virtual disk.
To locate a MEM file, right-click the PVM or MACVM file and select Show Package Contents. MEM filenames usually appear as a string of characters inside curly brackets, such as {6c69d25f-3c8a-415e-89b9-92b7b8ee8300}.mem.
Since MEM files only store the suspended state of a VM, they are not essential for the VM to function. If you delete them, Parallels will no longer be able to restore the VM to that suspended state, but the VM itself and its data remain intact. In most cases, Parallels automatically removes old MEM files when you shut down or restart the VM.
How to open a MEM file
You should not attempt to open MEM files. Instead, Parallels Desktop for Mac automatically loads the information in the MEM file when resuming a virtual machine from its suspended state.
Programs that open MEM files
Macro Editor Macro
| Developer | Corel |
| Popularity |
2.8 | 8 Votes |
An MEM file is a macro used by old versions of Corel WordPerfect, a word processing software. It stores sequences of commands or actions that WordPerfect executes to streamline repetitive tasks, such as automating text formatting or document layout tasks to save time and reduce errors. Corel replaced MEM files with .WCM files.
Programs that open MEM files
Virtual Game Station Memory File
| Developer | Connectix |
| Popularity |
2.8 | 6 Votes |
Game for the Virtual Game Station (VGS), a program that allows PlayStation games to be played on Mac or Windows computers; typically contains the contents of a PlayStation game that can be loaded by the VGS emulator.
More Information
Virtual Game Station was released by Connectix in 1999. It was later bought by Sony, which ended development of the product. Connectix was acquired by Microsoft in 2003.
Programs that open MEM files
Mnemosyne Card Collection
| Developer | The Mnemosyne Project |
| Popularity |
2.0 | 6 Votes |
Collection of flash cards created for The Mnemosyne Project, a free flash-card tool; each card contains a question and answer and may include text as well as references to image and sound files; Unicode text and LaTeX are both supported.