What is Vulcan Runtime Libraries

What is Vulcan Runtime Libraries And Do I Need It?

Have you recently spotted Vulkan Run Time Libraries on your Windows 10 computers? Are you wondering if it is a set of malicious programs that will harm your computer or steal personal data? Today’s article will help you understand what is Vulcan Run Time Libraries and why it is completely safe.

Vulkan Run Time Libraries appear in the Programs and Features, with LunarG, Inc. as its publisher. It is a collection of software programs that carry out certain functions needed for other software to work. Typically, the services these programs perform are necessary for all kinds of other programs.

In simpler terms, the runtime library is a set of add-on resources for a primary program, which helps it run properly.

The thing that may have led you to suspect Vulkan Run Time Libraries legitimacy is that it installs on your system without any permission or alerts. Noticing it suddenly in the Program and Features list can lead you to fear that it is a malicious software.

It is important to establish from the beginning that Vulkan Run Time Libraries isn’t malware or virus, and its presence in your computer does not have a negative effect in any way.

What Is Vulkan Run Time Libraries?

Vulkan Run Time Libraries

The Vulkan Run Time Libraries is also known by other names – Vulkan Runtime Libraries or VulkanRT. No matter what you choose to call it, it is actually the latest graphic standard by Khronos Group Inc. It is a 3D graphics API comparable to DirectX and OpenGL for your Intel, NVIDIA, or AMD graphics card.

Its purpose is to enhance 3D graphics, especially in modern 3D games.

Is Vulkan Runtime Libraries Important?

Vulkan Runtime Libraries help your computer by offering modern GPUs high-efficiency, cross-platform access found in different devices, including PCs, consoles, and even smartphones. Vulkan helps improve the performance of your games by lowering CPU usage and dividing work among the multiple CPU cores.

Vulkan Run Time Libraries might already be installed on your PC if you are using Nvidia drivers. Typically, the library will come with your graphics card driver, and you won’t be alerted when installed.

Vulkan Run Time Libraries is supported by a large number of popular games, including the following 15 popular games:

  1. Need For Speed
  2. Dota 2
  3. Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War III
  4. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
  5. Serious Sam VR: The First Encounter
  6. Serious Sam VR: The Second Encounter
  7. Serious Sam VR: The Last Hope
  8. Doom
  9. Doom3 BFG
  10. Doom Eternal
  11. Battlefield 4
  12. Mad Max
  13. Roblox
  14. Vainglory
  15. F1 2017

How to Check Presence of Vulkan Files In System

If you want to make sure that your system has Vulkan Files, you can follow the steps below:

  • Go to the Windows menu or press the Windows button on your keyboard to open the menu. Find and select “Settings.” 

Shortcut: You can conveniently open Windows Settings by pressing Windows+I on the keyboard, and the settings window will open automatically. 

  • Once the Settings window opens, find and select “Apps.”
  • Once the Apps window opens, go to the search bar, type “Vulkan,” and hit enter. 
  • If the search results show VulkanSDK or other Vulkan files, Vulkan Libraries are present in your system. If not, the search result will show the “We couldn’t find anything to show here. Double check your search criteria” dialogue.

Why are Vulcan Libraries installed on my computer?

Don’t be alarmed if you were not alerted by the system about the Vulkan Run Time Libraries installation because it is done automatically without permission when you install any program such as NVidia drivers or Steam that needs Vulkan Run Time Libraries.

Vulkan Run Time Libraries are necessary for many programs, and they won’t work without it, so you might not be given the option not to install the libraries. Although some programs might ask for permission before installation and some might not, either way, Vulkan Run Time Libraries are safe and not a virus or malware. You shouldn’t get rid of them because deleting them might cause issues.

Is Vulkan RunTime Is a Malware? Should I Remove It?

Let’s just first get one thing out of the way – Vulkan RT is not malware, and there is no reason you should be worried or plan to delete Vulkan. Similar to OpenGL and DirectX, Vulkan is amongst the newer graphics standards.

However, many users have recently been reporting that VulcanRT triggers win32/subtab!blnk virus. To back the claim, users have reported that their Windows Defender stopped displaying malware attack alerts after they removed Vulkan Run Time Libraries. However, there is no connection between the win32/subtab!blnk virus and Vulkan Run, so do not pay attention to these false claims.

Most gamers have Vulkan on their PCs. If you are not a gamer, it is highly likely that you have Vulcan Run Time Libraries, but you haven’t detected it because it is not causing any issues to your PC. Therefore, we would highly recommend that you should not uninstall Vulkan because it is very difficult to reinstall Vulkan as it comes with graphics drivers only.

Additionally, removing Vulkan can cause several graphics issues and ruin your gaming experience.

How To Uninstall Vulkan Run Time Libraries?

We highly recommend you to keep Vulkan on your computer for many reasons. Nonetheless, if you want to uninstall Vulcan RunTime Libraries, then follow these steps:

  1. Go to Control Panel and find “Uninstall a program.” 
  2. Open “Uninstall a program,” scroll down to find Vulkan Runtime Libraries.
  3. Select Vulkan and press Uninstall. Follow the uninstallation steps to finish the process.

Another way to uninstall Vulkan is as follows:

  • Open the RUN dialogue box by pressing Window + P
  • Type appwiz.cpl in the RUN dialogue box and press OK.
appwiz
  • Find “Vulkan Run Time Libraries” in the list.
  • Right-click on the Vulkan and select Uninstall/Change.
  • Follow the steps to finish the uninstallation process.

Before you uninstall this tool, it is essential that you consider whether you will play Vulkan RunTime Libraries-supported games or you plan to sell your computer in the future or not. If yes, then do not uninstall Vulkan. 

It is also important to note that Vulkan Run Time Libraries might automatically be reinstalled if you will update your drivers because it is a part of your driver package, and it reinstalls without permission. 

As we have previously mentioned, Vulkan Runtime Libraries is not a virus, and it does not cause any issues or affect your computer in any way. Therefore, there is no need to uninstall it. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q #1) Do I require Vulkan runtime?

Answer: The requirement for Vulkan execution depends entirely on the user’s needs. If the user wants to play games and has a better visual experience, they can set up Vulkan Runtime Library on the device.

Q #2) Can I remove VulkanRT?

Answer: Yes, this is possible. If a user so desires, he can remove Vulkan Run Time, yet it is not necessary to do so because it is not a malicious file or malware and will not damage your system.

Q #3) Do I have to install Vulkan?

Answer: Vulkan gives users an improved and enhanced experience. Therefore it’s advantageous for the user to have Vulkan in order to get the most out of your gaming system.

Q #4) What does Open AL mean, and why is it needed?

Answer: Open AL is a cross-platform audio Application Programming Interface (API) that enables its users to get the most out of their gaming platforms’ audio performance. The Open AL offers its customers a 3D Audio experience as well as amazing sound effects.

Q #5) Does antivirus software detect Vulkan libraries?

Answer: Some antivirus programs warn about the existence of Vulkan libraries in the machine, yet we can ignore those warnings because they will not harm the system.

Closing Words

Vulkan Runtime Libraries is not a virus, and it does not cause any issues or affect your computer in any way. Vulkan Run Time Libraries enhance your gaming experience. Hence it is an essential tool, and there is no need to uninstall it.

Do you know what is Vulkan rt? Do you have Vulkan on your PC? Does it bother you? Do you have any Vulkan-related issues/errors? How do you solve them? Please share your experience and knowledge with Reviewsed in the comments section.

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Sarah is a writer by profession and passion. She is a real tech-savvy who loves everything tech! Talk about the latest tech releases, latest news from the tech world, on-trend tech gadgets, or simple tech hacks – Sarah knows it all! Being a movie enthusiast, she always has a close eye on the latest releases. Her insights about how well the movie will do on the box offices are surprisingly always correct! We call her the “Encyclopaedia of Movies”.