The purpose of virtualization in computing environments is to create virtual instances of hardware or software resources, allowing multiple operating systems or applications to run on a single physical machine. This technology optimizes resource utilization, reduces costs, and simplifies management, as it allows for quick provisioning and scalability of IT infrastructure. Virtualization also enhances disaster recovery and backup by enabling efficient snapshotting and replication of virtual machines. As a result, organizations can achieve greater flexibility and resilience in their IT operations.