IIS ApplicationHost.config file disappeared from my VM

Hi Hashvin Rao (MY),

Thanks for reaching out!

Quick recap: Your applicationHost.config file appears missing, and attempts to restore from C:\inetpub\history\CFGHISTORY_XXXXXXXXXX fail with error 0x80070103 (No more data is available). This is a recoverable issue because IIS relies on this file for site and app pool configuration. Common causes include:

• File lock by IIS services (W3SVC, WAS, AppHostSvc) or antivirus
• Shared Configuration enabled (config stored on a UNC path)
• Plesk-managed IIS (manual edits blocked; must use Plesk repair tools)
• Permissions or ownership issues in %windir%\System32\inetsrv\config

You could try these solutions out:

Check if Shared Configuration is enabled

"%windir%\system32\inetsrv\appcmd.exe" list config /section:sharedConfiguration

If enabled="true", restore the config on the UNC path in redirection.config.

Reference: Shared Configuration in IIS

Stop IIS services to release locks

net stop w3svc
net stop was
net stop apphostsvc

Restore from IIS Configuration History

Copy applicationHost.config from a CFGHISTORY folder:

robocopy "C:\inetpub\history\CFGHISTORY_XXXXXXXXXX" "%windir%\System32\inetsrv\config" applicationHost.config /R:0

Reference: Recover from Configuration History

If that fails, use AppCmd backup/restore

appcmd list backup
appcmd restore backup "<Name>" /stop:true

Reference: AppCmd Backup and Restore

On Plesk servers, let Plesk rebuild IIS config

plesk repair web -y
"%plesk_bin64%\websrvmng.exe" --reconfigure-all

Reference: Plesk Repair Utility

Restart services and verify

net start apphostsvc
net start was
net start w3svc
appcmd list site

I also managed to find some similar cases you can check out when you have the time:

• https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/2223997/why-did-iis-applicationhost-config-file-disappear
• https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/2118440/what-could-be-the-reason-for-the-disappearance-of

I hope this helps you resolve your issue! If you have any more issues, please feel free to reach out - I'll be happy to help!

Hello Tom,

Good day. Thanks for the revert. I had tried to restore the backup from C:\inetpub\history\ however whenever I am restoring, I am having access denied issue. Like error below:-

ERROR ( hresult:80070005, message:Command execution failed

I am wondering why am I getting this and yeah am running everything as administrator.

To add, I am trying to run this command in powershell or cmd getting error like below:-

Please advise us on this. Thanks.