Answer:
Snapshots in VirtualBox, Hyper-V, and please check explanation.
Explanation:
You should never test the software on your PC as you never know what virus or threat they bring with them. Even when you are a software company and testing your own new software, you should use the VM, as it is safe. Any adverse effect can be tackled as the VM is made to be destroyed some day.
You can install numerous OS on your VM. The two best are certainly Virtual Box and the Hyper-V from VMWare. Remember, if you dont want to use the licensed version of certain OS, the trial versions are always available for free, and you can install them on the VMs.
There is a snapshot option on the VirtuabBOX. You are only required to create the snapshot after creating and configuring the VM. It supports Windows, Linux and Mac. So you can install almost any OS. However, VMWare Player does not support the Snapshot, but it provides s similar option known as Checkpoints. However, VMware Workstation supports Snapshots, though they might be costly.
If you are on OS X you can make use of Parallels.
However, never enable file sharing, and stay away from Bridge mode as well as never use your original accounts. File sharing will inject the malware if any to all places on network. The bridge mode connects the VM directly to the network, which otherwise remain hidden behind NAT. And use of personal accounts can cost you them, and this can be quite a big loss definitely.
