It doesn't sound like you really know what you are doing.
Windows software can work under Linux using WINE, which emulates windows for the software. However, it can be very tricky to set up.
You really won't need any Windows software to do everyday computing. Most distros come with almost any software you would need. Openoffice.org gives a complete office suite, Mozilla or Firefox browsers for net surfing and there are several e-mail programs. There are only a few commercial games available for Linux, although most distros come with a ton of simple timewasters.
Set up your system dual boot or dedicate an older system to experiment with.
Windows is still a better option for the typical home user since most commercial software is Windows-only. Linux will work very well if you need a powerful server or an inexpensive box for web browsing and word processing.
That is correct.