Update recos for custom images for freshness

Author: ntrogh

articles/lab-services/approaches-for-custom-image-creation.md

@@ -1,83 +1,96 @@
 ---
-title: Recommended approaches for creating custom images for labs
-description: Describes approaches for creating custom images for labs.
-ms.date: 07/27/2021
+title: Recommendation for creating custom images
+titleSuffix: Azure Lab Services
+description: Describes approaches for creating custom virtual machine images for labs in Azure Lab Services.
+services: lab-services
+ms.service: lab-services
+author: ntrogh
+ms.author: nicktrog
+ms.date: 04/24/2023
 ms.topic: conceptual
 ---
 
-# Recommended approaches for creating custom images
-This article describes the following recommended approaches for creating a custom image:
+# Recommended approaches for creating custom images for Azure Lab Services labs
+
+This article describes recommended approaches for creating a custom image for Azure Lab Services labs. Learn how you can create a save a custom image from an existing lab template virtual machine, or import a virtual machine image from an Azure VM or physical lab environment.
 
 -   Create and save a custom image from a [lab's template virtual machine (VM)](how-to-create-manage-template.md).
 -   Bring a custom image from outside of the context of a lab by using:
     - An [Azure VM](https://azure.microsoft.com/services/virtual-machines/).
     - A VHD in your physical lab environment.
 
-## Save a custom image from a lab's template VM
+## Save a custom image from a lab template virtual machine
+
+The easiest way to create a custom virtual machine image for labs is to export an existing lab template virtual machine in the Azure portal.
 
-Using a lab's template VM to create and save a custom image is the simplest way to create an image because it's supported by using the Azure Lab Services portal. As a result, both IT departments and educators can create custom images by using a lab's template VM.
+For example, you can start to create a new lab with one of the Azure Marketplace images, and then install extra software applications and tooling in the [template VM](./how-to-create-manage-template.md) that are needed for a class. After you've finished setting up the template VM, you can save it in the [connected compute gallery](how-to-attach-detach-shared-image-gallery.md), for others to use for creating new labs.
 
-For example, you can start with one of the Azure Marketplace images and then install the software applications and tooling that are needed for a class. After you've finished setting up the image, you can save it in the [connected compute gallery](how-to-attach-detach-shared-image-gallery.md) so that you and other educators can use the image to create new labs.
+You can use a lab's template VM to create either Windows or Linux custom images. For more information, see [Save an image to a compute gallery](how-to-use-shared-image-gallery.md#save-an-image-to-a-compute-gallery)
 
 There are a few key points to be aware of with this approach:
 
-- Lab Services automatically saves a *specialized* image when you export the image from the template VM. In most cases, specialized images are well suited for creating new labs because the image retains machine-specific information and user profiles. Using a specialized image helps to ensure that the installed software will run the same when you use the image to create new labs. If you need to create a *generalized* image, you must use one of the other recommended approaches in this article to create a custom image.
+- Azure Lab Services automatically saves a *specialized* image when you export the image from the template VM. In most cases, specialized images are well suited for creating new labs because the image retains machine-specific information and user profiles. Using a specialized image helps to ensure that the installed software runs the same when you use the image to create new labs. If you need to create a *generalized* image, you must use one of the other recommended approaches in this article to create a custom image.
 
     You can create labs based on both generalized and specialized images in Azure Lab Services. For more information about the differences, see [Generalized and specialized images](../virtual-machines/shared-image-galleries.md#generalized-and-specialized-images).
 
-- For more advanced scenarios with setting up your image, you might find it helpful to instead create an image outside of labs by using either an Azure VM or a VHD from your physical lab environment. Read the next sections for more information.
-
-### Use a lab's template VM to save a custom image
-
-You can use a lab's template VM to create either Windows or Linux custom images. For more information, see [Save an image to a compute gallery](how-to-use-shared-image-gallery.md#save-an-image-to-a-compute-gallery)
+- For more advanced scenarios with setting up your image, you might instead create an image outside of Azure Lab Services by using either an Azure VM or a VHD from your physical lab environment. For example, if you need to use virtual machine extensions.
 
 ## Bring a custom image from an Azure VM
 
-Another approach is to use an Azure VM to set up a custom image. After you've finished setting up the image, you can save it to a compute gallery so that you and your colleagues can use the image to create new labs.
+Another approach to set up a custom image is to use an Azure VM. After you've finished setting up the image, you can save it to a compute gallery so that you can use the image to create new labs.
 
 Using an Azure VM gives you more flexibility:
 
-- You can create either [generalized or specialized](../virtual-machines/shared-image-galleries.md#generalized-and-specialized-images) images. Otherwise, if you use a lab's template VM to [export an image](how-to-use-shared-image-gallery.md) the image is always specialized.
-- You have access to more advanced features of an Azure VM that might be helpful for setting up an image. For example, you can use [extensions](../virtual-machines/extensions/overview.md) to do post-deployment configuration and automation. Also, you can access the VM's [boot diagnostics](../virtual-machines/boot-diagnostics.md) and [serial console](/troubleshoot/azure/virtual-machines/serial-console-overview).
+- You can create either [generalized or specialized](/azure/virtual-machines/shared-image-galleries#generalized-and-specialized-images) images. Otherwise, if you use a lab template VM to [export an image](how-to-use-shared-image-gallery.md) the image is always specialized.
 
-Setting up an image by using an Azure VM is more complex. As a result, IT departments are typically responsible for creating custom images on Azure VMs.
+- You have access to more advanced features of an Azure VM that might be helpful for setting up an image. For example, you can use [extensions](/azure/virtual-machines/extensions/overview) to do post-deployment configuration and automation. Also, you can access the VM's [boot diagnostics](/azure/virtual-machines/boot-diagnostics) and [serial console](/troubleshoot/azure/virtual-machines/serial-console-overview).
+
+The process for setting up an image by using an Azure VM is more complex. As a result, IT departments are typically responsible for creating custom images on Azure VMs.
 
 ### Use an Azure VM to set up a custom image
 
-Here are the high-level steps to bring a custom image from an Azure VM:
+To create a custom image from an Azure virtual machine:
+
+1. Create an [Azure VM](https://azure.microsoft.com/services/virtual-machines/) by using a Windows or Linux Azure Marketplace image.
 
-1. Create an [Azure VM](https://azure.microsoft.com/services/virtual-machines/) by using a Windows or Linux Marketplace image.
 1. Connect to the Azure VM and install more software. You can also make other customizations that are needed for your lab.
-1. When you've finished setting up the image, [save the VM's image to a compute gallery](../virtual-machines/image-version.md). As part of this step, you'll also need to create the image's definition and version.
-1. After the custom image is saved in the gallery, you can use your image to create new labs. 
 
+1. When you've finished setting up the image, [save the VM image to a compute gallery](/azure/virtual-machines/image-version). As part of this step, you also need to create the image definition and version.
 
-The steps vary depending on if you're creating a custom Windows or Linux image. Read the following articles for the detailed steps:
+1. After you save the custom image in the gallery, use your image to create new labs.
+
+The steps might vary depending on if you're creating a custom Windows or Linux image. Read the following articles for the detailed steps:
 
 -   [Bring a custom Windows image from an Azure VM](how-to-bring-custom-windows-image-azure-vm.md)
 -   [Bring a custom Linux image from an Azure VM](how-to-bring-custom-linux-image-azure-vm.md)
 
 ## Bring a custom image from a VHD in your physical lab environment
 
-The third approach to consider is to bring a custom image from a VHD in your physical lab environment to a compute gallery. After the image is in a compute gallery, you and other educators can use the image to create new labs.
+Another approach is to import a custom image from a virtual hard drive (VHD) in your physical lab environment to an Azure compute gallery. After the image is in a compute gallery, you can use it to create new labs.
 
-Here are a few reasons why you might want to use this approach:
+The reasons you might import a custom image from a physical environment are:
 
 - You can create either [generalized or specialized](../virtual-machines/shared-image-galleries.md#generalized-and-specialized-images) images to use in your labs. Otherwise, if you use a [lab's template VM](how-to-use-shared-image-gallery.md) to export an image, the image is always specialized.
-- You can access resources that exist within your on-premises environment. For example, you might have large installation files in your on-premises environment that are too time consuming to copy to a lab's template VM.
+
+- You can access resources that exist within your on-premises environment during the VM configuration. For example, you might have large installation files in your on-premises environment that are too time-consuming to copy to a lab template VM.
+
 - You can upload images created by using other tools, such as [Microsoft Configuration Manager](/mem/configmgr/core/understand/introduction), so that you don't have to manually set up an image by using a lab's template VM.
 
-Bringing a custom image from a VHD is the most advanced approach because you must ensure that the image is set up properly so that it works within Azure. As a result, IT departments are typically responsible for creating custom images from VHDs.
+Bringing a custom image from a VHD is the most advanced approach because you must ensure that the image is set up properly to function in Azure. As a result, IT departments are typically responsible for creating custom images from VHDs.
 
 ### Bring a custom image from a VHD
 
-Here are the high-level steps to bring a custom image from a VHD:
+Follow these steps to import a custom image from a VHD:
 
 1. Use [Windows Hyper-V](/virtualization/hyper-v-on-windows/about/) on your on-premises machine to create a Windows or Linux VHD.
+
 1. Connect to the Hyper-V VM and install more software. You can also make other customizations that are needed for your lab.
+
 1. When you've finished setting up the image, upload the VHD to create a [managed disk](../virtual-machines/managed-disks-overview.md) in Azure.
+
 1. From the managed disk, create the [image's definition](../virtual-machines/shared-image-galleries.md#image-definitions) and version in a compute gallery.
-1. After the custom image is saved in the gallery, you can use the image to create new labs. 
+
+1. After you saved the custom image in the gallery, you can use the image to create new labs.
 
 The steps vary depending on if you're creating a custom Windows or Linux image. Read the following articles for the detailed steps: