Device drivers function to:

Device drivers are essential components of a computer's operating system that facilitate communication between the operating system and external hardware devices. When hardware, such as printers, graphics cards, or network adapters, is connected to a computer, the device drivers act as intermediaries that interpret the commands from the operating system and relay them to the hardware, and vice versa. This ensures that the computer can properly recognize and utilize the capabilities of the connected devices, allowing for efficient operation and functionality.

The other choices, while related to computing and software operations, do not accurately describe the primary function of device drivers. For example, improving the speed of software applications pertains to software optimization rather than the role of device drivers. Tracking user activity is more aligned with monitoring software or analytics tools, not the operation of hardware. Similarly, managing data storage relates to file systems and storage management solutions rather than the communication process between the operating system and hardware devices. Thus, the defining role of device drivers lies specifically in enabling that crucial communication between external devices and the computer.