System performance can be significantly improved by reducing resource usage and optimizing software settings. Participants will first learn how to disable unnecessary startup applications using the Startup Applications tool, which helps reduce boot time. They will also learn how to clean up disk space by removing temporary files and old packages using commands like sudo apt autoremove and sudo apt clean. Installing lightweight alternatives, such as LXDE as a desktop environment or using FeatherPad instead of heavier text editors, can also greatly improve system responsiveness on older hardware. The lesson will also cover using system monitoring tools like htop to identify and manage resource-hogging processes.