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The activity monitor is a built-in utility on macOS that provides insight into the system’s performance and allows users to manage running processes effectively. One of its key functions is to monitor active processes and applications, enabling users to see how much system resources they use, such as CPU and memory usage.

Choosing to force quit background processes is a significant feature of the activity monitor. This capability is particularly useful when an application becomes unresponsive or freezes, allowing users to terminate the process without needing to restart the entire system. By doing so, it helps maintain system performance and usability.

Other options, like upgrading applications, checking network speed, or changing user account settings, fall outside the primary functions of the activity monitor. Upgrading applications is typically managed through the App Store or directly from the application itself. Checking network speed involves different utility tools specifically designed for network monitoring, while changing user account settings is handled through System Preferences. Thus, force quitting background processes is the core function that highlights the utility and control the activity monitor provides over running processes.