A method is provided for backing up and restoring a web applications platform. The method includes backing up web applications platform databases to a backup system. A search index of the web application platform is backed up. An application programming interface (API) is queried to discover internet information services (IIS) virtual directories associated with the web applications platform. Discovered IIS virtual directories associated with the web applications platform are backed up to the backup system. IIS configuration data, IIS metabase data and registry data for the web applications platform are then backed up to the backup system. A similar process enables the restoration of this data to allow for disaster recovery for the web applications platform.