Computer application backup method and system

A system for backing up and restoring an application program including an application program configuration, the application program associated with a computer that includes an operating system with a common applications registry, the system comprising:

• an application program backup software program for creating an application program backup of the application program including copies of files associated with the application program that reside on one or more storage media and copies of entries of the common applications registry pertaining to the application program, the application program backup software program assigning a creation date to each created application program backup corresponding to a date of creation thereof;
• a backup coordinating software program that invokes the application program backup software program to create an initial application program backup, periodically inventories the one or more storage media to detect one of a change in a file associated with the application program and a change in an entry of the common applications registry pertaining to the application program, and invokes the application program backup software program to create an update application program backup responsive to a detected change;
• and
• a restore software program for restoring the application program to a state corresponding to a selected creation date by copying information contained in an application program backup having the selected creation date onto the one or more storage media.