What does a graphical user interface (GUI) allow users to do?

A graphical user interface (GUI) allows users to interact with software and hardware through visual elements like windows, icons, buttons, and menus. This design is user-friendly, enabling users to perform tasks by clicking on graphical representations rather than typing text commands. It enhances usability by providing a more intuitive way to interact with the system, making it more accessible to users who may not be familiar with text-based commands or programming languages.

In contrast, the other options focus on non-GUI interactions, such as text commands or command-line access, which do not utilize the visual aspects that define a GUI. Therefore, the essence of a GUI lies in its use of graphical icons and visual indicators, which fundamentally changes how users engage with their computing environment.