New Windows Operating System

You can create bootable, runnable, "live" USB sticks so you can try out and install Linux. If you are serious about learning, it is VERY helpful to have 1 or even 2 old computers/ laptops so you can no1 screw around and try stuff, and no2, have a platform with Linux that you can create these USB sticks or DVDs. You can do the same in windows but there is more nonsense involved. IF YOU HAVE either a working Linux laptop or at least a working bootable USB stick, then while running that, you can easily "burn" an ISO you have downloaded to another USB stick to try out some version of Linux.

So understand, you can actually boot up AND RUN these from the USB / DVD just like they are installed, to see how they look and operate. They ARE slower than a hd, and you can not easily store files withing the trial system. They are called "not persistent." But this will give you a feel for what you want to try, without actually installing them.