What Is Vulkanrt and Should You Uninstall It?

Have you recently discovered the VulkanRT program on your PC and found yourself questioning “what is VulkanRT?” and “should you uninstall VulkanRT?” You are certainly not alone in your quest for answers.

A growing number of Microsoft Windows users have reported that VulkanRT has been installed on their computers without their explicit consent or permission. This has raised suspicions about the software’s legitimacy, with many users speculating that it could be a form of spyware or a malicious program capable of causing harm to their systems.

The widespread concern regarding VulkanRT has led to a surge in discussions on computer forums, causing panic among some users. However, is there any substance to these fears? Is VulkanRT genuinely a threat, or is the situation simply a result of misinformed and alarmed users propagating the concerns? Should you be concerned and pondering, “should you uninstall Vulkanrt?” To answer these questions and alleviate your concerns, we highly recommend reading a comprehensive overview of the program to gain a clearer understanding.

What is VulkanRT?

Vulkan Runtime Libraries is a cross-platform API whose primary purpose is to improve the performance of 3D applications (think games and interactive media) running on Windows. It is also available for the Linux operating system. It was developed back in 2014 and was officially announced in 2015 as Game Developer’s Conference.

It also helps to balance your CPU and GPU computation usage. It’s actually installed as part of the graphics driver or when you update your GPU driver on your system. Note that the installation is facilitated by CPU/GPU manufacturers such as Intel, Nvidia, AMD, etc.

The API is designed by the Khronos Group, which is an American non-profit consortium. They have also built various other open standard APIs, including OpenXR, OpenGL, and WebGL, among a few.

Is VulkanRT a Virus?

If you are concerned that VulkanRT is a form of malicious file, virus, or worrisome program, don’t worry about it; it’s not at all the case. In fact, as you will find out in this post, it is a legitimate and somewhat helpful program that you should not uninstall from your computer.

For those in gaming and technology, you may remember that AMD announced an API that promised to improve many games’ performance. It has been shown that the API has a significant effect on games such as DOOM and Wolfenstein. Yes, you guessed it right. This 3D graphics API was Vulkan; to some extent, it enhanced the games’ performance and graphics. The API is now supported and used on all graphics cards available on the market.

But many users still don’t have much knowledge about it, so I decided to discuss its features in this post. Below, you will learn everything you need to know in detail to know exactly what you are dealing with.

What Is VulkanRT Used For?

Vulkan Runtime Libraries, like DirectX and OpenGL, is a graphical API (Application Programming Interface) that enhances the graphical capabilities of your system. It allows games to make use of more advanced graphical features such as virtual reality, ray tracing, and even HDR display.

It is an application developed by the Khronos Group, which is a non-profit organization that promotes the use of open standards on various platforms and devices.

The VulkanRT APIs were initially developed by the Khronos Group to replace the OpenGL graphics rendering engine. Of course, OpenGL has been around since the 1990s, and it has proved to be indispensable in the world of graphics development.

However, there are some areas where OpenGL lacks in performance, especially on modern PCs with multiple cores. For example, OpenGL and Direct3D 11 have fixed-function shaders and state machines. You can’t change them without changing the whole pipeline – which means you need to recreate it from scratch with a new shader if you want to make any changes. This is where VulkanRT comes into play. The Vulkan RunTime APIs are much more capable of utilizing all the available cores on a CPU to render graphics at higher framerates than OpenGL, which was designed for single-core CPUs.

In general, VulkanRT main purpose is to reduce the overhead in terms of performance and give the user more control over the GPU. It also reduces CPU usage on PCs during heavy performance-intensive tasks, ensuring that the performance cores don’t max out and result in a shutdown.

One of the main benefits of this runtime library is that besides reducing CPU usage by the applications that need it, it also ensures the entire workload is distributed evenly in multi-core CPUs. This way, a single core won’t be doing all the work; all the cores will do the work equally.

What’s more interesting is the fact that VulkanRT works a lot like DirectX 12. Nonetheless, the main difference here is that DirectX 12 can only be used on Windows 10 PCs. At the same time, the Vulkan Runtime can run on a number of operating systems, including Windows, Linux, Mac Os, iOS, and Android.

While VulkanRT is widely considered the successor to OpenGL, it’s not a complete replacement for OpenGL. Why? Well, there are some multiple use case scenarios that the less complicated nature of OpenGL is better suited for.

Summary of features:

• They are mainly used in graphics card drivers and on mobile devices to improve the overall performance of graphics-oriented applications such as video games.
• It can work on different OS platforms, unlike applications such as DirectX 12
• It substantially lowers the workload on the CPU and, in turn, reduces the driver overhead. This is done through batching, which lets the available CPU cores work more than normal.
• It offers faster and better performance with GPU optimization and code generation. It also has more compact driver packages, easy maintenance, and requires little space.
• Allows scaling in multi-core processors, unlike OpenGL 4 and Direct 3D 11, which can only work on single-core processors
• Vulkan runtime libraries are primarily a part of AMD graphics card drivers. They are acknowledged to offer faster and better performance.
• VulkanRT API is also getting supported by Nvidia GPUs.

Purpose and Use of VulkanRT:

According to official documentation, VulkanRT is comparable to Mantle and Direct3D. VulkanRT is a graphics API built on the cross-vendor Khronos Group version 1.0 specification of Vulkan. VulkanRT simplifies rendering graphics in a much more efficient manner and lets multi-threading take place on both CPUs and GPUs for increased performance. VulkanRT is only used in graphics processors as it comes with a graphics driver along with DirectX support.

Is VulkanRT Necessary

Now that you have an idea of what this runtime library is, you might be curious to know why it might be necessary for you to have it on your computer.

1. Enhanced GPU performance

Applications that are optimized for Vulkan run much faster and better by utilizing its API. For example, Doom runs really great when shifted to this runtime, and in comparison to using DirectX, especially for those on an AMD graphics card. In fact, with AMD GPUs, shifting to VulkanRT will give you better graphics performance than using DirectX API.

2. Lowers the CPU Workload

Although this can also be achieved using the DirectX12 API, this is limited to PCs with Windows 10. VulkanRT, on the other hand, is supported and available on almost every OS in the market and will make things a lot easier.

The way it distributes the workload instead of having one core do the heavy work makes the CPU more efficient at performing its tasks.

3. Unified Kernel and graphics management

The Vulkan runtime provides unified management of computing kernels along with graphics shaders. This helps to eliminate the need for having a separate compute API and another API for graphics.

Here Are A Few Reasons to Remove VulkanRT From Your Computer.

The intricacy of this API’s cross-platform 3D graphics management surpasses that of OpenGL, making it a more advanced choice for rendering.

Due to its limited universal support, this API may not be embraced by all application developers, potentially resulting in no noticeable enhancement in graphics performance.

How Did VulkanRT Get on My Computer?

Addressing the question of whether VulkanRT API poses a security risk can be challenging. As previously noted, the VulkanRT API is not a virus or malicious software, nor is it employed by cybercriminals for unauthorized access or data theft. It serves exclusively as a component of the Vulkan API’s graphics drivers.

However, it is important to acknowledge that graphics drivers often come packaged with third-party applications. For instance, AMD’s GPU drivers include additional commercial applications like Raptr. This implies that the VulkanRT for AMD GPUs may be installed automatically, without user consent, when AMD graphics card drivers are installed on a computer. Cybercriminals can exploit this aspect to distribute viruses through seemingly legitimate applications, leading to the unsuspecting installation of malicious software.

To mitigate such risks, it is crucial to obtain drivers from official sources and closely monitor any associated utilities. Failing to do so may result in inadvertent exposure to malware, compromising the security of your computer.

Should I Uninstall Vulkan Runtime Libraries??

If you need a one-word answer, then it is, No.

You might be wondering what would happen if you uninstall it. Well, you won’t notice the uninstallation with the daily use of your PC. However, when you decide to play a game or run video editing software, you might notice a difference.

Some games, like Talos Principle, and Dota 2, along with Unity, CryEngine, and Steam games, require VulkanRT to run efficiently. So. If you intend to play any of these games, there’s no point in uninstalling the application.

If you already did uninstall the program and need to install it again, you can re-install it by reinstalling your graphics drivers and updating them to their latest versions. This should install the Vulkan runtime library back to your PC again.

Where to Find Vulkan Runtime Libraries On Your PC

Are you curious to verify if the VulkanRT application is already installed on your computer? Fear not, as we’ve got you covered with an effortless way to confirm its presence. Just head to your system’s Program Files x86 folder and search for VulkanRT. Here are two convenient methods to guide you, tailored for different Windows operating systems:

Method 1: For Windows 8 and 8.1 Users

1. Give the “Start Menu” a quick click and type “Control Panel” into the search bar before opening it up.
2. Within the Control Panel, keep an eye out for “Programs and Features” and then go ahead and open it.
3. You’ll now see a comprehensive list of software installed on your computer, so you can easily check for VulkanRT.

Method 2: For Windows 10 and 11 Users

1. Simply type “Apps and Features” into the search form located on the taskbar and open it.
2. Once “Apps and Features” have loaded, you’ll be greeted with a list showcasing both pre-packaged applications and the software you’ve installed.
3. Utilize the search form to quickly determine whether VulkanRT is indeed installed on your system.

No matter which method you choose, you’ll be able to confidently confirm the presence of VulkanRT on your computer in no time.

What is VulkanRT Installer?

The Vulkan Runtime Libraries, a free software offering, can be accessed through its official website. However, numerous third-party file-sharing sites and application marketplaces also provide the software. It is crucial to note that these platforms often utilize unofficial third-party installers, leaving users uncertain about the content they are downloading, the alterations it might cause, and their legal rights to use it.

When obtaining the Vulkan Runtime Libraries from such sources, users may be presented with a screen that prompts them to select a package for installation. Unlike the official installer, which merely provides the option to accept the End User License Agreement (EULA) and proceed with the installation, the unofficial installer displays a list of additional items for installation alongside the core VulkanRT package. As such, it is important to approach these unofficial sources with caution to ensure a secure and legitimate software experience.

Does My System Support Vulkan?

Experience exceptional performance across various platforms, including Linux, Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Xbox One, and PS4, with the support of Vulkan technology. Ensure your system is equipped with the most recent GPU drivers to enable the cutting-edge VulkanRT (Vulkan runtime libraries) API, unlocking your PC’s full potential.

Conclusion:

Rest assured, the presence of VulkanRT runtime libraries on your computer should not be a cause for concern. Although it may not be the premier runtime library available, it has been proven to enhance PC performance when executing graphics-intensive applications and games.

It is worth noting that misconceptions persist among some users, who mistakenly believe that the Vulkan Runtime is a type of spyware or even malware. However, this is far from the truth. To ensure seamless installation and operation, it is essential to adhere to the instructions provided when updating your graphics card.

We trust that this guide has been informative and valuable. Should you have any inquiries or recommendations pertaining to this subject, we encourage you to contribute your insights in the comment section below.