What is the primary function of multitasking in computing?

The primary function of multitasking in computing is to allow more than one piece of software to be used at a time. This capability enables users to run multiple applications simultaneously, such as browsing the web while listening to music or having several documents open at once.

Multitasking improves the efficiency of a computer system by utilizing the CPU’s time to switch between tasks, giving the appearance that all applications are running concurrently. This enhances user experience, as it enables users to accomplish multiple tasks without having to close one application to open another.

While loading essential parts of the operating system or influencing processing speed may be relevant to overall system performance, they do not directly define multitasking. The focus is primarily on the ability to execute multiple processes at the same time, which is what makes option D the most accurate depiction of multitasking.