Project Zomboid 42.22 Pre-Release is the optional Steam version that lets you try climbable ladders, crowbar forced entry and new survival fixes ahead of the Stable update. You have to select the testing branch yourself; ordinary installations remain on Build 42.21.
The Indie Stone renamed its old Unstable branch to Pre-Release on 27 October 2026. The developer says this is for people comfortable testing unfinished changes, particularly modders and server administrators. Back up any save you care about before opting in.
How to download Project Zomboid 42.22 Pre-Release
You don’t need a separate download or mod. With the game closed, use Steam’s own version settings to change branches. It’s the option labelled Pre-Release that installs the 42.22 test build.
- Open your Steam Library.
- Right-click Project Zomboid and choose Properties.
- Open Game Versions & Betas.
- Select Pre-Release from the available version choices.
- Let Steam finish applying the selected build before launching the game.
Once Steam has updated the game, you can try the new features in a test world. You won’t find them on Stable 42.21, even if your existing save contains ladder objects or crowbars.
Back up your saves before using Project Zomboid 42.22 Pre-Release
The official patch notes say existing 42.21 saves should work in 42.22, but The Indie Stone still tells players to make manual backups. It cannot guarantee that a save used during testing will work with the finished Stable release. Protect your original world before starting the newer build.
On Windows, close Project Zomboid, press Win + R, paste %UserProfile%\Zomboid\Saves and press Enter. Locate the folder for the playthrough you want to keep. Copy it into a separate backup folder outside the Zomboid directory; you can also compress the copy into a ZIP file to save space. The Indie Stone’s support staff identify this as the default Windows save location.
Keep the untouched backup somewhere clearly named, such as a folder dated before the 42.22 switch. If you test a long-running world, use a copy rather than the only original. Changing Steam back to Stable later doesn’t automatically restore an older version of your save.
Is Project Zomboid 42.22 Pre-Release stable?
No. This is still a test build. The Indie Stone advises most players to stay on Stable 42.21. Pre-Release is designed for testers willing to encounter and report bugs, and for server owners or mod developers who want to check compatibility before a wider rollout.
The developer aims to leave each build on Pre-Release for at least one week. That’s the minimum testing window, not a promised promotion date. If testers find problems, the build can be revised before it reaches Stable.
What will you get on the test branch?
Project Zomboid 42.22 Pre-Release makes existing map ladders usable. Walk up and press E, or right-click the ladder tile. Empty pools and the upper floor of the Rosewood Fire Station are two developer examples. See our ladder guide for more on their limitations.
With a crowbar in your inventory or equipped, right-click a supported locked door, window, garage door or fence gate to force it. Stronger survivors do better, while Burglars are quieter and receive a success bonus. Repeated failures can damage the tool. Our crowbar guide covers the full interaction.
Other changes fix animals dying when cells unload, disappearing chickens, duplicated multiplayer characters, PvP damage and map notes that fail to save. Our Build 42.22 patch notes explain these and the smaller gameplay fixes.
Can you go back to Stable after testing?
You can select Stable again through Steam’s branch options, but changing game versions is not a save rollback. A world that has already been written by 42.22 may behave differently on 42.21. If you need the earlier state, use the copy made before testing, not a newly modified save.
If you encounter a bug, try reproducing it on a fresh game without mods before reporting it through The Indie Stone’s official channels. Include the build and the action that caused it. On multiplayer servers, take a full backup and check the mod list before moving a shared world.
When will Project Zomboid 42.22 Pre-Release become Stable?
As of 31 October 2026, Project Zomboid 42.22 Pre-Release is still the testing version and 42.21 is Stable. If you want the new mechanics now, choose Pre-Release and protect your saves first. For an ongoing world you can’t afford to lose, staying on Stable is the safer choice.
Official source: The Indie Stone: Moving on Up, 42.22 Pre-Release.
