What is Vulkan Runtime Libraries and What to Do?

David Darlington

Jan 15, 2024 • Filed to: Windows Computer Solutions • Proven solutions

Many users are now becoming more cautious about malware attacks. PC users are more mindful of programs and files they’re installing or downloading to their devices. If you’re a Windows user, you may panic when you see Vulkan Runtime Libraries installed on your PC. After all, you don’t recall ever installing or opening this program. Your first instinct is to delete the file for worries with a security breach and just virus concerns. In this article, we discuss Vulkan Runtime Libraries and many concerns regarding it. We help you decide whether to keep or uninstall the program. We also provide you with steps on how to uninstall.

What are Vulkan Runtime Libraries?

Vulkan Runtime Libraries is a graphic standard installed by display card manufacturers like AMD, Intel, NVIDIA. It is a collection of software programs that brings functions and utility. In short, it’s essential for better graphics performance in any of your gaming experience. It’s important to know that this is not a virus or malware, thus you shouldn’t delete it from your system. It’s just a 3D graphics that computes the application programming interface (API) installed by your video card manufacturer.

API’s are a collection of protocols and tools that provide communication among software components.

Is Vulkan On My Computer?

You may be curious if Vulkan is installed on your computer. This is usually on your computer if you’ve recently installed the latest graphics card drivers. You might not be aware of it because sometimes your PC will allow applications to install without asking for permission. If you want to find out if it’s on your PC, you can easily find out if it is. Depending on what Windows you’re running on, there are step-by-step guides on how to find out if it’s installed.

If you’re running Windows 10, follow these steps.

1. In the Search bar, open Settings. (You may also do this by pressing on the Windows key + I).
2. Click on Apps & features under Apps
3. Navigate and look for Vulkan or simply type in in the search box. If it is installed in your PC, you should find it here.

For Windows 8 users, follow these steps:

• Hit the Start button and type in Vulkan to look for it on your PC.

For Windows 7 users, follow these steps:

1. Go to Control Panel by typing it in the search bar. Go to Programs and Features.
2. Look for Vulkan or just type it in the search box to find it.

Should I Remove Vulkan Runtime Libraries?

As previously mentioned, Vulkan is not a malware or virus. It’s installed by your graphics card manufacturer. Thus, there’s no reason for you to remove it from your PC’s system. It does not negatively affect your PC experience in any way. If you choose to uninstall it, bear in mind that reinstalling it would be difficult. It may require you to purchase a new graphics card if you choose to install it again.

If you’re a gamer and are fond of playing a variety of games, it’s not recommended to uninstall Vulkan. Some games require Vulkan Runtime Libraries to be played. Here are some video games that require Vulkan: Dota 2, Star Citizen, Unity, Talos Principle, Ballistic Overkill, Mad Max, etc. Game console emulators such as Dolphin, Xenia, PPSSPP, RPCS3 also support Vulcan.

If you’re not a gamer or do not plan on using PC games, you may opt to uninstall Vulkan Runtime Libraries.

How Do You Remove Vulkan Runtime Libraries?

If you’ve decided to uninstall Vulkan, here are the following steps:

If you’re using Windows 7, follow these steps:

1. In the search bar of Windows, type in Control Panel.
2. Once there, under Programs, click on Uninstall a program
3. Look for Vulkan Runtime Libraries, then select Uninstall.

If you’re using Windows 8/8.1, follow these steps:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. This PC will appear. Select Computer and then click on Uninstall or Change a Program
3. Look for Vulkan Runtime Libraries and select Uninstall at the top portion of the window.

If you’re using Windows 10, follow these steps:

1. Press on the Start button, then go to Settings.
2. Proceed to Systems and then select Apps & features on the left-side menu.
3. Look for Vulkan Runtime Libraries and select Uninstall

Another way you can do this is here:

1. Press on Windows key + R, to open Run.
2. Type in appwiz.cpl in the space provided and click OK.
3. A list will appear upon doing this. Look for Vulkan Runtime Libraries. Right-click on it and click Uninstall/Change.
4. Finish the uninstall process.

We can’t stress this enough: Vulkan Runtime Libraries does not cause any harm to your device in any way. It’s not a virus or malware. Your best option is to leave it there. It doesn’t take much space anyway. However, if you choose to uninstall it, we provide you with steps to do so.