Imaging Windows 7 is the process of capturing an image on a single computer. This image can then be deployed to one or more other computers in the environment. This can be done with the Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK) with more automated tools such as Windows Deployment Services, or with the more advanced enterprise application System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM).

The technician's computer is the computer you use to do the preparation. You install the Windows AIK here and can use it to create bootable USBs, create bootable CDs, and do maintenance on images. You may also choose to store the images you're captured on this computer.

You capture an image from a reference computer. A reference computer has the operaing system installed, applications installed, and any specific security or configuration settings desired.