How to fix: appcmd restore backup CFGHISTORY_########## return Error ( hresult:80070002, message: Command execution failed. The system cannot find the file specified.)?

Thank you so much for your help. I had been stuck on this issue for a few days. The backup files are fine, but the file applicationHost.config is missing from the Inetsrv\Config directory. When I try to create a new application pool in IIS, the following error occurs:

Details:

Filename: \?\c:\windows\system32\inetsrv\config\applicationHost.config

Error: Cannot write configuration file.

It seems the problem is related to the Config directory and applicationHost.config file. I checked the quarantined files, but the file was not there. Permissions are checked with no issues. The applicationHost.config just can not be created in the config folder.

in IIS, new website can not be created with the same error

Hi Jen J,

Thanks for the additional information and I’m really glad to hear you were able to confirm the backup files are intact.

From what you’ve described, The error:

Filename: ?\c:\windows\system32\inetsrv\config\applicationHost.config Error: Cannot write configuration file.

suggests that the problem is no longer about missing files, it’s about IIS being blocked from writing to the config directory.

It usually points to one of the following:

• NTFS permission or ownership problems (even if they look correct in the UI)
• Windows Defender’s Controlled Folder Access silently blocking writes
• File system corruption or read-only flags
• A locked or orphaned file handle preventing creation

Here are a few things you can try to isolate and fix the write failure:

Test Write Access to the Folder

Try creating a simple file in the config folder:

echo test > C:\Windows\System32\inetsrv\config\test.txt

If this fails, it confirms a write access issue at the file system level.

Check for Controlled Folder Access

Run this in PowerShell:

Get-MpPreference | Select -ExpandProperty ControlledFolderAccess

If it returns Enabled, Controlled Folder Access might be silently blocking IIS. You can temporarily disable it or allow iisreset.exe, appcmd.exe, and mmc.exe through.

Audit NTFS Permissions and Ownership

Even if the UI shows full control, run:

icacls "C:\Windows\System32\inetsrv\config"

Look for any DENY entries or missing SYSTEM/Administrators permissions. You can also try:

takeown /f "C:\Windows\System32\inetsrv\config" /r /d y

Reference: icacls

Run System File Checker and DISM

To check for corruption:

sfc /scannow
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Retry the Restore

Once write access is confirmed:

appcmd restore backup CFGHISTORY_##########

I also managed to find some other users with the same problem as you and their solution is as simple as adding more disk space:

• https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/1188678/how-to-fix-the-error-cannot-write-configuration-fi
• https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/2223997/why-did-iis-applicationhost-config-file-disappear
• https://serverfault.com/questions/430744/iis-7-5-unable-to-write-configuration-file
• https://stackoverflow.com/questions/5030991/applicationhost-config-error-cannot-write-configuration-file-due-to-insufficien

When you have the time, try taking a look at those similar cases and I hope you can find a solution in one of those.

If all still fails, I'd highly recommend creating a support ticket. That way experts can give you better diagnosis and dive deeper into your problem. You can do it through:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/contactus

Apology for not being able to assist you further and I hope I don't bother you with this. If you find my answer useful, please feel free to mark it so others with the same issue as you can seek guidance from your post. Thank you for your time and I wish you the best!