What is the primary purpose of Windows Deployment Services?

The primary purpose of Windows Deployment Services (WDS) is to facilitate the rapid deployment of Windows operating systems, particularly in network environments. WDS allows for the installation of Windows Server and client operating systems over the network, enabling system administrators to deploy Windows-based systems quickly and efficiently without the need for physical installation media. This is especially beneficial in scenarios where large numbers of machines need to be configured with a consistent operating system setup, as it streamlines the process and reduces the potential for errors associated with manual installations.

While the deployment of applications is important, WDS is specifically designed for operating systems, which distinguishes it from application deployment tools. Data backup and recovery are managed by different systems or solutions, and WDS does not handle user account management directly. Instead, it focuses on the provisioning of the operating system on machines that are part of a network environment. Thus, the correct answer emphasizes WDS's core function of efficiently deploying Windows Server 2019 and related operating systems.