You can detonate it into a VM running an instance of Cuckoo Sandbox. If you want to go the extra mile, you can dump the memory of said VM and analyse it with Volatility Framework. Also, if you want to quickly identify behavioural patterns in executable code, you can use Mandiant's CAPA tool (though idk if it works on .pdfs). Source: about 1 year ago

You should save a copy of the .exe, copy it into a VM running Cuckoo and get a report on exactly what the .exe does. Without this automated dissection, people are making educated guesses. They're probably right, but why not be certain? There is an online version too - https://cuckoosandbox.org. Source: about 1 year ago

You could use a service like cuckoo to check links/files. Source: over 1 year ago

I made my own lab in college using a series of VM's, A windows 10 machine that was packed with analysis tools, a kali listening machine (running inetsim or fakenet, I can't remember.) and I had remnux on another machine (which I ended up not really making use of, but it was there.) I used virtualbox and ran these VM's in an internal network, no internet access. Disabled all clipboard and file sharing after... Source: over 1 year ago

Another option if you want to self-host is https://cuckoosandbox.org/ . Of note, it's currently an unmaintained project so issues may not receive support, but it is free. Source: over 1 year ago

Try the P2V converter in BackupChain. Check the option 'universal boot' before creating the image. Does the PC have use any specialized hardware that would require drivers at boot time? Source: over 1 year ago