File-based imaging for installing and maintaining Vista

Vista comes with new Windows Imaging (WIM) technology, a hardware-independent system image file format that allows companies to maintain fewer desktop images. Microsoft's compressed, modular approach allows variations, such as language options, to all be incorporated into one image.

If a company requires multiple images -- for instance, if more than one Vista edition is deployed -- those images can be stored in a single WIM file to save space. IT pros can also make changes to the image offline, without starting up each desktop to create a new image.

Non-destructive image application for Windows upgrades

When performing an in-place upgrade from a previous version of Windows the new User State Migration Tool (USMT) allows you to keep user data and state/profile information on the user's hard drive while you clean-install Vista, then apply the existing user data and settings to Vista. Whether you're performing an in-place upgrade or migrating to a new PC, Vista's built-in migration capabilities automatically import specified user files and settings from Windows 2000 or XP.