A system and method for managing critical files in an information handling system. Critical files are those files which are difficult to recover after a system failure, hard disk reformat, or user error. The critical file management system of the present invention includes a critical file manager, which can be accessed by programs through an application programming interface (API). Programs call the API to register and unregister critical files. A user interface is also provided. The user interface allows users to register and unregister critical files, and also allows users to view a list of all critical files and versions, along with the name of the program or user which added each critical file to the list. Users may also request a backup or restore of one, several, or all critical files at any time. A database of critical files, including a version for each file, is maintained. Backup copies of each critical file are stored in a critical file storage. At predetermined times, such as system shutdown or boot, the critical files are backed up. The critical file management system may also automatically restore all critical files at predetermined times, such as every time the information handling system is started.