What are Vulkan Runtime Libraries? How Can I Remove it?

Many Windows 10 users panic when they detect the presence of Vulkan Run Time Libraries on their computers. The program appears under Programs and Features and is published by LunarG, Inc.

You need to know that the runtime library is a collection of software programs and the goal is to provide functions or services. Usually, you’ll find there are many programs and functions that are commonly used by all kinds of programs.

In a nutshell, the runtime library provides add-on resources to a primary program, thus helping it. 

When Vulkan installs on the user’s computer, there is no pop-up window to inform them about its presence. As a result, when they see Vulkan Runtime Libraries on their list of programs, they fear it’s malicious software.

I noticed an entry in my Programs & Features that I did not intentionally invite. The install date is the same day as the latest Microsoft Visual C+, and the same day as the last NVidia driver updates, March 12th – 2016. The program is titled “Vulcan Run Time Libraries 1.0.3.0” and is published by “LunarG, Inc.”  Does anyone know what is its’ purpose, how it would have managed to get on my PC, and is it a security issue?

Just to get this out of the way from the beginning, Vulkan Run Time Libraries is not a virus and does not affect your computer negatively in any way.

What are Vulkan Runtime Libraries?

Rest assured, Vulkan is not malware. There’s no need to delete it. Actually, Vulkan is a relatively new graphics standard, just like OpenGL and DirectX.

It provides high-efficiency, cross-platform access to modern GPUs used in a wide variety of devices from PCs and consoles, to mobile phones. Vulkan helps with lowering CPU usage is also better able to distribute work amongst multiple CPU cores.

If you are using Nvidia drivers it’s very likely that you already have Vulkan Run Time Libraries on your computer. Because more often than not it’ll be installed with your graphics card driver, you won’t notice any pop-up or dedicated install window.

If you’re a gamer, you most certainly have Vulkan on your PC, but if you’re not, it’s possible that you won’t find it. Keep in mind that if you uninstall Vulkan, it’s very hard to reinstall it again because it comes with the graphics drivers and you will need those first.  

How to remove Vulkan Runtime Libraries?

As stated above, we strongly recommend that you keep this tool on your computer. However, if you still want to delete Vulkan Runtime Libraries, here are the steps to follow:

1. Go to Control Panel > select Uninstall a program
2. Scroll down to Vulkan Runtime Libraries > select it > click Uninstall

Also, you can do it this way:

1. Press Windows Key + R to open a Run window.
2. In the run box type appwiz.cpl and then hit OK.
3. In the list that appears, find Vulkan Run Time Libraries. Right-click on it and select Uninstall/Change.
4. Follow the steps and finish the uninstall process.

As we explained, Vulkan Runtime Libraries is not a virus and doesn’t affect you in any way. It’s best to leave it there, but if you really want to uninstall it, follow the steps above.

Don’t forget to tell us in the comments section below if you have Vulkan on your computer and if it bothers you or not. And if you had any issues regarding it, share how you solved them.