What is typically the primary purpose of utility software?

Utility software is designed to enhance the functionality of the operating system and support its main tasks. This type of software serves various system maintenance activities, such as managing files, optimizing system performance, and configuring hardware, which ultimately contributes to a smoother and more efficient computing experience. Functions of utility software include disk management, antivirus protection, system monitoring, and data backup among others, all aimed at improving the overall performance and usability of the computer system.

In contrast, managing user accounts pertains to an operating system's administrative category, while creating new software applications is the domain of development software. Running gaming applications efficiently is specific to performance optimization for games and does not cover the broader range of functions that utility software provides. Thus, the primary purpose of utility software is captured accurately by its role in enhancing the operating system's functionality.