Minikube simplifies the process of setting up a test Kubernetes cluster on Windows 10 by utilizing HyperV to create a virtual environment in just a few minutes. The setup involves configuring an external HyperV switch, installing kubectl and Minikube, and then launching Minikube to create a virtual machine. Once installed, users can interact with the cluster using kubectl, and the configuration details are stored in the ~/.kube/config file. Additionally, Minikube can be integrated with Octopus for further interaction, by creating a merged certificate file for authentication and using a Worker Tentacle on the local machine to communicate with the cluster. This allows the execution of commands through the Octopus Script Console, making it a convenient tool for testing and managing Kubernetes deployments.