Quite apart from anything else, downloading hookey software on Windows is so damn risky these days, what with all the malware. At work we constantly see viruses detected on users laptops, and 99% of the time trace it back to the user r their family downloading and trying to install "warez".

If you are a student, and there is a requirement to use products which rely on windows, then they are usually available at big student discounts, and should be factored in as if it were any other learning tool such as textbooks.

Otherwise bang Linux on it and use the FOSS stuff. There is often good free stuff for windows as well btw.