Creating a virtual Linux machine on Windows

1. Download virtualbox 
• https://www.virtualbox.org/
• Download the latest version of the 'windows host' 'platform package'
2. Install VirtualBox
• Use the default settings
• 'Continue Anyway' on the windows logo warnings
3. Download Linux *.iso file.  If running 32bit windows download 32bit isoEither
• If running 32bit windows download 32bit iso
• Search Internet to find out if running 32bit windows
• If running 64bit windows download 64bit iso
• Download either
• Ubuntu: https://www.ubuntu.com/download/server , or
• CentOS: https://www.centos.org/download/
4. Run VirtualBox
5. Create Virtual Machine
• New / Name: / Type: Linux / ~Version (Ubuntu or RedHat, 32 or 64) / OK
• Use defaults for everything else
6. Use .iso for VM drive so it can boot from it
• Select VM
• probably selected already
• Settings/Storage/Click on 'cd/dvd' image on the 'Empty' line below 'Controller IDE'
• Attributes/Secondary IDE Master/ Click on CD image to the right
• Choose virtual optical disc file ... / point to *.iso file /OK
7. Press Start button to boot from *.iso