What is the primary purpose of utilities in computing?

The primary purpose of utilities in computing is to help analyze, configure, optimize, or maintain a computer. Utilities are specialized software tools designed to assist users in performing various system maintenance tasks, such as disk management, file management, performance monitoring, and system backups. They provide essential functionalities that enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the computer's operation, ensuring that it runs smoothly and remains optimized for performance.

While developing new hardware components and creating new software applications are important aspects of computing, they fall outside the scope of what utilities are specifically designed for. Additionally, managing network security protocols is typically the focus of security software rather than general utilities, which concentrate more on system maintenance and performance rather than security infrastructure. Therefore, the correct choice accurately reflects the role of utilities in streamlining and sustaining the overall health of a computing environment.