Which of the following is an important role of User Account Control?

User Account Control (UAC) plays a crucial role in preventing unauthorized access to system settings in the Windows operating system. It is a security feature designed to minimize the risk of unauthorized changes by prompting users for permission or an administrator password when changes are being made that could affect the system's configuration or security.

This mechanism helps protect the integrity of the operating system and user data by ensuring that standard users cannot make significant changes without proper authorization. For instance, when an application attempts to install software or modify settings, UAC will provide a prompt, allowing users to approve or deny the action, thereby preventing potentially harmful activities by malware or unauthorized users.

In contrast, managing file storage, monitoring network traffic, and speeding up system boot time are not functions associated with UAC. File storage management is handled by the operating system's file system; network traffic monitoring is typically managed by network security tools and applications; and boot time optimization involves processes that enhance system performance rather than user access control.