Which of the following describes the primary goal of data compression utilities?

The primary goal of data compression utilities is primarily focused on maximizing the efficiency of storage. By reducing the size of files without losing essential information, data compression enables users to store more data within the same physical or cloud storage limitations. This makes it particularly useful in environments where storage space is at a premium, such as on hard drives, servers, or cloud systems.

While other options may include valid points relating to the benefits of data compression, such as potentially improving file accessibility and facilitating file sharing by making transfers quicker, these are secondary outcomes rather than primary goals. Similarly, while improved system performance may occur due to smaller file sizes leading to faster read/write times, it is not the overarching objective of data compression. The essential purpose remains to maximize storage capacity effectively.