An autonomic rollback system. An autonomic rollback system can include a registry configured to store meta-data specifying a contemporary state of a system of components. The system also can include a backup location configured to store a backup copy of the meta-data in the registry specifying a past state of the system of components prior to installing a new component. A monitor can be programmed to compare the operation of the system of components with a policy defining a nominal state of operation for the system of components. Finally, a rollback processor can be coupled to the registry and the backup location. Responsive to the monitor, the rollback processor can restore the registry to the past state when the monitor determines that the operation of the system of components falls outside the nominal state defined within the policy. Importantly, the system of components can reside within an application server.