Run application in windows 7 basic not Areo

Do you mean that you want your application to look like windows classic/basic, so the borders don't disappear and the colors are the classic ones?

*) Right click the EXE
*) Click "Compatibility" (tab)
*) Under "Settings" click "Disable Visual Themes"

If that does not clear up any problems you are having, you can also try "Disable desktop composition" and "Disable display scaling on high DPI settings" - either by themselves or in combinations.

In terms of code you have to create your window with certain syles flags.
In .net  for instance, set the FormBorderStyle to FixedSingle or Fixed3d.
In C code check the CreateWindowEx API call :

CreateWindowEx

Here is an explanation that includes code - although targeted at XP, most of these things are forward compatible for Vista and Windows 7.

If you are actually asking about lines of source code it would be important to know what programming language you are using.

Wait, just noticed you filed this under Installer.

If you don't have access to the source code AND if the setting I mentioned above works - then you can get that setting out of the registry here:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Layers

You would, however, want to put it in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE - it will also work there.

Keep in mind:
*) the Layers key MUST have the full path to the EXE (so your installer should softcode the full path from whatever folder chosen during install)
*) if you work for the company that produces this software, you should have them opt out of visual themes in the source code instead of relying on AppCompat.

Have access to the source code, using Delphi 2010 and have turned off Visual Themes.  However, we still get an issue with an importing dialog wizard that sprays the data above column headers which only occurs when using Win 7 and Aero.  When switching to the Basic theme, the wizard performs correctly. Our developers have run out of ideas and so now we are chasing turning off the aero theme when our application is running.

Thanks CSI - Windows.  Was able to use the "Disable desktop composition" implemented with the installer.

Your assistance (and patience) is greatly appreciated.