What is the purpose of the Control Panel in Windows?

The purpose of the Control Panel in Windows is to configure various settings in the Windows environment, making option B the correct answer. The Control Panel serves as a centralized location where users can access and modify different settings related to hardware, software, network, user accounts, and system configurations. This enables users to personalize their experience and tailor the operating system to their specific needs.

For instance, in the Control Panel, users can adjust display settings, manage peripherals like printers and scanners, configure network connections, and modify system security settings. By providing a comprehensive suite of management tools, the Control Panel simplifies the process of overseeing and customizing the Windows operating environment.

Other choices focus on narrower functionalities that do not capture the full scope of the Control Panel's capabilities. While managing user accounts is one of the many functions, it does not encompass the entire purpose of the Control Panel. Similarly, displaying system performance information may be handled by other tools, such as Task Manager or Performance Monitor, but that is not a primary function of the Control Panel. Lastly, running background tasks is generally managed by Windows services and task scheduling rather than the Control Panel itself.