How To Make Ubuntu Run Faster: 7 Tips That Actually Work

Let’s be real; Ubuntu is awesome, but even the best systems need a little tune-up now and then. Over time, things can slow down, apps start taking forever to open, and it feels like your once-speedy machine has turned into a tortoise. Trust me, I’ve been there. But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Let me show you a few tricks I’ve picked up along the way that’ll have your Ubuntu machine running like a dream again. Ready? Let’s dive in!

Table of Contents

1. Disable Startup Applications

You know how you wake up in the morning, and sometimes you just lie there because you’re too tired to get moving? Yeah, that’s what your computer feels when it has to load a bunch of unnecessary programs during startup.

Here’s what I do;

Open “Startup Applications” – Just search for it in the Dash or hit up the terminal with gnome-session-properties.
Uncheck programs you don’t need – Stuff like messaging apps or cloud services can usually wait until you’re ready for them, right?

Every second counts at startup, so the fewer things your system has to load, the faster you can start working (or binge-watching shows, no judgment here).

2. Clean Up Your System

Over time, your system collects junk; temporary files, old kernels, package cache, you name it. It’s like the digital equivalent of having a messy room. Cleaning it up will free up space and help things run smoother.

What I do;

Run sudo apt autoremove – This gets rid of unnecessary packages.
Run sudo apt clean – Wipes out cached package downloads.
Use a tool like “BleachBit” – I love BleachBit. It’s like a broom for your system that sweeps away all the leftover junk files. Just make sure you don’t go overboard and delete something important!

Trust me, after cleaning things up, it feels like your system took a deep breath of fresh air.

3. Use a Lightweight Desktop Environment

Gnome is great and all, but sometimes it’s a bit heavy for older machines. If you’re using an older laptop or a system that’s just not as zippy as it used to be, consider switching to a lightweight desktop environment. I’ve tried this myself, and it made a huge difference.

Try this;

Install XFCE – Open a terminal and type sudo apt install xfce4.
Log out and select XFCE – Before logging back in, click on the gear icon next to your name and pick “XFCE” as your desktop environment.

It’s like giving your machine a breath of fresh air; it just feels snappier.

4. Manage Your Swap Usage

Here’s a cool trick; you can tweak how Ubuntu uses swap memory. By default, Ubuntu can be a little too eager to swap stuff out of RAM and into swap, even when you’ve got plenty of RAM left. This can slow things down, so let’s change that.

Here’s what I do;

Check the current swappiness value; Run cat /proc/sys/vm/swappiness. The default is usually 60.
Lower it; Open the terminal and type sudo nano /etc/sysctl.conf, then add the line vm.swappiness=10. This tells your system to rely on RAM more before moving stuff to swap.

After making this tweak, I noticed apps staying more responsive, especially when I had a bunch of stuff open at once.

5. Install Preload

This is one of my secret weapons. Preload is a nifty little tool that predicts which applications you use the most and preloads them into memory so they launch faster. I’ve been using it for years, and it’s made a noticeable difference.

How to install it;

Open a terminal and type sudo apt install preload.
That’s it. Preload runs quietly in the background, making your apps start up quicker. You don’t have to do anything else!

It’s like having a personal assistant who knows exactly what you’ll need before you even ask for it.

6. Use the “No Hangups” Trick for Faster Boot Times

There’s this trick I picked up where you basically remove any services or drivers your system doesn’t need during boot. I like to call it the “no hangups” method.

What I do;

Run systemd-analyze blame – This command shows you what’s holding up your boot.
Disable unnecessary services – If you spot something you don’t need, like Bluetooth on a desktop, you can disable it by running sudo systemctl disable bluetooth.service.

Shaving even a few seconds off your boot time is always a win, right?

7. Keep Your System Updated

Okay, I know this sounds basic, but hear me out. Keeping your system updated is crucial because updates don’t just bring new features;they also come with performance improvements and bug fixes. Sometimes, your system might slow down because of a glitch that’s been fixed in a recent update.

What I do;

Run sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade regularly.
Enable automatic updates – If you’re like me and tend to forget these things, you can turn on automatic updates.

There’s something satisfying about knowing your system is running the latest, most optimized version of everything.

FAQs

1. What happens if I disable something I need at startup?

No worries! If you accidentally disable something important, just head back to the “Startup Applications” and check it again. Easy fix.

2. Can I install multiple desktop environments?

Yup! You can have both Gnome and XFCE installed and switch between them. Just remember that installing more environments takes up more space, but it won’t slow down your system unless you’re running them simultaneously.

3. How often should I clean up my system?

I try to do it every few weeks, especially after installing or removing a bunch of programs. It’s like cleaning your room; do it regularly, and it won’t turn into a disaster zone.

Conclusion

And there you have it! Seven simple tricks to speed up your Ubuntu machine without pulling your hair out. You don’t have to be a tech wizard to get things running faster; it’s all about knowing which levers to pull. So go ahead and give these tips a shot. You’ll be surprised at how much smoother your system runs once you’ve put these into action.

Now it’s time to try it yourself! Trust me, your Ubuntu will thank you.