This is arguably the most important step. The developers have explicitly stated that Alpha 19 is not compatible with previous Alpha worlds or save game data . To avoid potential crashes, corruption, or weird errors, you are strongly advised to delete or move your existing saved games before launching Alpha 19. You can usually find your save files in the following folder: %AppData%\7DaysToDie\Saves Either delete the contents of this folder or back them up to a different location on your computer. Starting fresh will ensure the most stable and enjoyable experience with the new Alpha 19 features.
Why is Alpha 19 still considered "hot" in 2024-2025? Because many veterans argue that Alpha 19 (specifically b4/b6) represents the "golden era" of the game. It features the iconic weapon system before the massive learning curve changes of later patches, and it runs smoother on older hardware.
It is highly recommended to uninstall and reinstall the game to avoid conflicts with old Alpha 18 files.