Windows Live Mail and Old Microsoft Word Documents

I've just upgraded to Windows 8 from Windows Home Basic. At present I can't access my live mail address and retrieve E-mails even after trying to negotiate compatibility. I am also experiencing difficulty in accessing my old Word Document files (.doc) as none of the available apps give me full use. Is there a program (that doesn't cost, I find that very questionable, that I should upgrade to 8 and then be expected to buy various items that were on my previous Home Basic) Suggestions, please?