Windows Classic

Windows Classic is the name of the visual style that debuted in Windows 95. Primarily gray in appearance, it is the default theme on all versions of Microsoft Windows up until Windows XP. Several variations of this theme were released, as it was modified several times throughout the development of the Windows operating system. It is also found in Windows Vista but not in 7. In Windows 7, the theme has been replaced by Windows Standard, which is quite similar. In Windows 8, Standard was dropped also in favor of the single Aero Lite style. It is still possible to run the Classic theme on Windows 8 and above by closing the ThemeSection handle in, although it is buggy and some applications may not work properly.

Classic start menu
The classic start menu is a major element of the visual style, being used from the theme's introduction in Windows 95 onwards. In Windows XP, there is the option of using the classic start menu with XP's theme, as well as using it with Aero in Vista. However, in Windows 7 (as early as build 6469), it was removed, so that only the standard 7 start menu can be used with Windows Classic.