You install a program on yer computer like oracle virtual box (others available), then install in that either a pre built "environment" or install it yerself fresh. Just the same as installing say Win 7 on a computer, but yer actually installing it into the virtual environment. Or get a copy of a pre built virtual machine install with Win 7 and load that in. All other environments like xp etc are available anorl. Essentially running a computer within a computer. If the vm has web access then it needs security but you can block it from network access. Can be a bit of a fiddle to get com ports and usb talking to peripherals etc but trial and error normally fixes this.
Do you have SDD Hippo?