Abstract: In a method for backing up (100) and restoring (150) an application program associated with a computer (20) having an operating system with a common applications registry, an image backup is created (102) of one or more storage media (22, 24) that store files associated with the application program including the common applications registry. An initial application program backup is created (104) including files associated with the application program and entries of the common applications registry pertaining to the application program. The one or more storage media (22, 24) are periodically inventoried (110) to detect a change in a file or a change in an entry of the common applications registry pertaining to the application program. Responsive to a detected change, an update application program backup is created (124) including files associated with the application program and entries of the common applications registry pertaining to the application program.

Abstract: A computer (10) includes an operating system (12) that handles events generated by a user input, by the operating system (12), or by programs (14, 20) or objects (30, 32) operating under the operating system (12). An application program (14) and a control program (20) operate under the operating system (12). The control program (20) generates a control event (Event #3, Event #6) that is detected and acted upon by the application program (14) to cause the application program (14) to perform a selected operation.