When creating a product you might only need to change one or two images while leaving all of the additional images the same. For example you may have an infographic in additional images that represents all of your products. You don't need to upload this image again, all you need to do is check the box below the upload and we will use the same images from previously upload products.
The "link" fields are for users who self host their images. If you self host you can just add the link in the box and not "upload" the image. Only need to do one or the other.