Windows 7: Upgrade from Vista to Windows 7

My laptop has Vista Home Premium and I now want to upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium (UK). My laptop also has Microsoft Works and Microsoft Office which were installed already when I bought it.
However I have been told that if I buy the UPGRADE for Windows 7, I will lose Works and Office and will have to buy these separately.
I'm also told that it won't have Windows Live Mail which I find really convenient as I can access all my email addresses on the same page.
Is this correct, or have I been talking to the wrong people ? !!

Any advice will be much appreciated.
Thank you.

While not advised by either MS or most of us you can upgrade from vista HP to win 7 HP. You wont lose ofice or works and windows live mail is available
Just one caveat vista >>> windows has to be the same version (32bit, or 64 bit)

Ken

Hey, that was a quick reply !
Do I understand you to say you don't recommend/advise buying Vista HP to Windows 7 HP upgrade ?? If so, why ?
(Yes - it will be same versions - 32bit)

Agree that in your case an in-place Upgrade is advisable. If you aren't happy with the performance because of possible settings corruption imported by Vista, you can always clean reinstall: Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

But first audit your software/hardware with Belarc Advisor to print out the Office and any other paid software Product Keys. You can then reinstall Office if need be using the correct version installer and activate with the key which you own for life and can be reinstalled as often as you want as long as it is only on the number of machines allowed by your version. (Example: wikianswers says Ofc 2007 comes with 3 licenses)

Be sure to back up your files and installers before doing the Upgrade, and run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor to be tipped to possible issues.

Ok - thanks for your quick replies.
Very much appreciated.
Goodnight (from Greece where time is 12.30 midnight)