Which of the following is a primary role of an operating system in a networked environment?

The primary role of an operating system in a networked environment is to provide services to users and applications. This encompasses a wide range of functionalities that facilitate interaction between users and computer hardware, as well as between applications and the operating system itself.

In a networked environment, an operating system manages resources efficiently and ensures that various applications can run concurrently while accessing network resources. It handles user requests for memory, processing power, and input/output operations, allowing applications to function effectively. The OS abstracts the complexities of hardware management and networking, offering a user-friendly interface that enables users to perform tasks without needing to delve into the technical intricacies of the system.

While managing physical hardware components is important, it is more of a supporting function of an operating system rather than its primary role, which centers around providing a platform for applications and services. Performing regular maintenance checks on devices and enabling network connectivity for web browsing are specialized tasks that may fall under directory or network management but are not the core responsibilities of an operating system.