How to test Microsoft XNA code on a PC?

I just downloaded the xna game studio program from Microsoft in hope of writing a game for my xbox just for fun. I then found out there is a $99 fee, so before I buy it I want to make sure my game works. When I try to build the program, a window pops up saying "There were deployment errors. Continue?" Upon clicking yes, another window pops up saying "The specified target () is not available to launch the project. pleas select an alternate target." Does this mean it is not possible to test my code on the computer without buying the licence? If I can test the code, what do I need to do/download to be able to test it?