How To Get The Hacking Environment?

i have seen all the videos regarding the hacking environment but i still dont know what kind of operating system we need to use.....my question is that the kali linux i have to install in same way that i install my windows regularly or their is some kind of virtual environment we need to create from windows 8.1 or 7 or linux because in every tutorial they start from the software like virtual box or sometime terminals..... i want the hacking environment from fresh start and right now i have windows 8.1 so should i have to format and reinstall the kali linux or there is some other method.... please help....... this is so much confusing......