Which of the following can be classified as preventative maintenance in IT support?

Regular software updates and system checks are classified as preventative maintenance in IT support because they are proactive measures taken to mitigate potential issues before they arise. By keeping software up-to-date, vulnerabilities are patched, which helps prevent security breaches. System checks can identify and resolve performance bottlenecks or conflicts within the system, ensuring it runs smoothly and efficiently. This form of maintenance helps avoid unplanned downtime, data loss, or other problems that could disrupt the operation of an IT system, demonstrating the importance of maintenance in keeping systems healthy and functional.