Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK)

Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK) is a set of technologies and documentations issued by Microsoft in order to help configure and deploy Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 family of operating systems.
Its primary use is in large networks, where it facilitates an automated installation of the above mentioned OSes, as well as a central management for the volume activation process (using a Multiple Activation Key). By doing this, a great deal of efforts and time is saved, leading to enhanced productivity in large companies.
Using Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK), you will also be able to capture, modify and configure Windows images and create Windows PE images. In addition, it can migrate user profiles easily using the User State Migration Tool.
Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK) is wrapped in an ISO image and in order to use it, you must first write it to a DVD using a specialized disc burning software. Following this operation, you can start the deployment process from the DVD with the aid of a virtual image mounting application.
Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK) includes a preinstallation environment, which serves to recover or troubleshoot Windows operating systems. It is being advertised as a replacement for Emergency Repair Disk, Recovery Console and MS-DOS boot disks. Often, corporations use it to preinstall Windows to computers during manufacturing.
On an ending note, Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK) is a popular choice amongst companies, simply because it reduces the time spent by administrators to deploy Windows on a large amount of computer.
For Windows 8 computers, a special edition called Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK) was rolled out.