An approach is provided that rejuvenates a software application to reduce the effects of software aging. An active replica corresponding to a software application is identified. If rejuvenation of the software application is appropriate, a new replica is created and state information is transferred from the active replica to the new replica. In addition, client requests are redirected to the new replica. After the state data has been transferred and requests have been redirected, the active replica is terminated. Once the active replica has been terminated, the new replica becomes the active replica. When rejuvenation is again proper, another new replica is created and the state data is transferred from the new active replica to the new replica and requests are redirected to the new replica. This process repeats whenever rejuvenation of the application is needed.