What is Windows PowerShell primarily used for?

Windows PowerShell is primarily used for automating changes on local machines and networks. It is a task automation and configuration management framework from Microsoft that consists of a command-line shell and associated scripting language. PowerShell is designed to help IT professionals and system administrators manage system configurations, automate repetitive tasks, and perform batch operations efficiently.

By providing a powerful scripting environment, PowerShell allows users to write scripts that can automate complex tasks across multiple machines or perform administrative tasks on a local machine. This includes managing file systems, registry settings, and system monitoring, along with the ability to manage other services and applications installed on Windows platforms.

The other options do not align with the primary function of PowerShell. Creating desktop applications involves development work usually done with integrated development environments (IDEs) and is not related to PowerShell's scripting abilities. Designing web pages requires knowledge of languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, which are outside the scope of what PowerShell is intended for. Programming mobile applications is another entirely separate domain, typically involving mobile-specific frameworks and languages, not PowerShell. Thus, the automation and management capabilities of PowerShell make it fundamentally distinct in its role within IT infrastructure.