What is Vulkan RunTime Libraries?

Recently people have been cracking a lot of questions about Vulkan RunTime Libraries. You can see concerned voices among FAQ’s in forums about it malicious origin. Hence, it would prove to be a good use of your time to read this article.

Here, we will clear up a lot of stigma about Vulkan and get you up to speed with everything you need to know about Vulkan runtime. 

What is Vulkan Runtime Libraries? 

You must have certainly heard about DirectX. Well, Vulkan RunTime Libraries is the same kind of deal. It is a new graphics standard and comes in handy a lot. Vulkan has high-efficiency and cross-platform access to modern GPUs. Hence, you can utilize it with several devices including mobile phones and consoles. 

To put it more technically, Vulkan is an API(Application Programming Interface). That is a set of software that lets the user get access to specific programs. And it will be automatically available in recently installed drivers or you will get it when you upgrade your graphics driver. 

Is it available in Mac?

When it comes to computer gaming our minds usually think of PCs. Though a rarity, there are still some Mac gamers out there. And hence naturally, some of them would want to know if they can run Vulkan RunTime Libraries on their system. 

Well, the answer to that question is Yes. But in a more ‘sort of’ kind of way. It is common knowledge that Apple doesn’t play well with products from others. Therefore it is no surprise that Vulkan stayed incompatible with Mac for a long time. 

But in February of 2018, it was announced that Apple will enable Vulkan on its OS. This made perfect sense as most Macs had either Nvidia or Intel graphics card under their hood. 

Still, Apple doesn’t want to run does want to run foreign products. Especially since it has it’s own API called Metal. So, you can’t exactly get Vulkan on your Mac. You can instead make do with MoltenVK. It is Vulkan’s open-source API that works within Metal to operate in a Mac.

There are two ways in which you can get MoltenVK in your Mac.

1. Download it directly from the MoltenVK website. 
2. Get to Github site, where you can find all open source material. And then search for MoltenVK.

How to download Vulkan RunTime Libraries?

You can check whether you have Vulkan by utilizing the Windows search bar. You can also do it with the help of the Control Panel. Just select the Programs option and then fo for Programs and Features. Consequently, you will see a list on your screen that shows you all the programs available. 

But if you don’t have it already installed then there is not really a way to install it on its own. The only thing left for you to do would be to upgrade your Nvidia driver. But don’t worry, the process is quite simple and will not affect your computer adversely. 

Vulkan vs. DirectX and OpenGL

If you really are a PC gamer then there is no way that you have not heard about DirectX. For those of you who don’t know, it is a graphics enhancement API. Kind of like Vulkan. DirectX has a long and rich history of being helpful to gamers and escalating their gaming experience. 

Though Vulkan is new to the world of graphics optimization, it does have it in its blood. As it comes from a family that goes all the way back to OpenGL. Furthermore, due to its performance, now it is giving DirectX a run for its money. 

Here are some of the perks of Vulkan Run Time Libraries

• When compared to other API, it requires less energy.
• It performs well on tablets and mobile devices as well. 
• Great at handling computer tasks and graphics tasks at the same time. 

Any great software will have some drawbacks and here a few of Vulkan:

• When compared to the ones that came before it, it is difficult to handle. 
• You need to update it more regularly when compared to OpenGL.
• It is not compatible with all devices.

How to install Vulkan Run Time Libraries on Nvidia?

1. Open a browser of your choosing. 
2. Search for Nvidia GeForce Experience. 
3. Select the most suitable link in order to get to the Nvidia GeForce Experience website. 
4. You need to download a software named GeForce Experience. And you will easily see a DOWNLOAD NOW button that will help you do it. The software helps you to manage your driver settings. 
5. Once you have upgraded, GeForce experience will check for future updates for you. And it does you the favor of letting you know whenever a new update becomes available.
6. In case GeForce is not able to update your driver, then you can download a manual update quite simply. 
7. Go to the Windows Search bar and look for Device Manager. 
8. Choose the first among the search results and open it. 
9. There will be a list of items in the Device Manager window. Look for the Display adapters icon. 
10.  Once you have found it, click on the small arrow on its left in order to expand it. 
11. Chances are that your Nvidia driver will appear in the dropdown menu. Now, you can find out the mane and model of your driver. 
12.  Use your favorite browser again to get on the Download Drivers page on Nvidia’s website. 
13.  Fill in the spaces that come with dropdown options. This is where you will need the name and model of your driver. 
14. The site needs the menus to recognize the product that you want. And if you have done things right, the site will find the upgrade for you. 
15.  Click the Search button once you are done and in a few minutes the best Nvidia driver upgrade will be before your eyes. 
16.  Choose the Download option and then follow the online instructions to install.

How to remove Vulkan RunTime Libraries?

You don’t really have to remove this file. On the other hand, it is strongly recommended that you keep this program. But if do want to remove it for reasons of your own, then here are some ways to do so. Do keep in mind that it is a bit of a hassle to reinstall Vulkan RunTime Libraries once you go through an uninstallation.

Method 1: With the help of run program

1. Place the cursor on the Windows Search bar.
2. Type in Run and then hit Enter.
3. Open the first app from the search results. 
4. Alternatively, you can also press the Windows key and the R key on your keyboard simultaneously to open the Run dialogue box.
5. In the space provided near Open, type in appwiz.cpl and then choose the OK option or hit Enter. 
6. From the list of applications, find Vulkan RunTime Libraries. 
7. Right-click on Vulkan and then choose Uninstall from the drop-down menu. 
8. Now you will get many on-screen instructions that you can follow in order to get rid of Vulkan Run Time Libraries.

Method 2: Using Control Panel

1. Go to the Windows Search bar. 
2. Type in Control Panel and then hit Enter. 
3. On the list of search results, open the first one. 
4. From the several options on the first page, choose Programs. 
5. You will see an option called Programs and Features on the top of the screen. Click on it. 
6. Now you will proceed to a list of programs on your PC. 
7. Scroll down the list to reach Vulkan Run Time Libraries 1.0.33.0. 
8. Right-click on it and then choose Uninstall/to change from the menu. 
9. Follow the instructions that you receive on-screen in order to remove it.

Method 3: Using Settings

1. Click on the Windows icon to open the Start menu. 
2. You will see a vertical column of small icons on the left side.
3. Pick the one for Settings and then click it to open.
4. From the several options available, select the Apps option.
5. If you don’t find yourself in the Apps & features page, then get there by choosing the same on the left pane.
6. There will now be two search bars on the right side of the screen. Place the cursor on the second one. 
7. Type in Vulkan Run Time Libraries and then hit Enter. 
8. When it appears under the search bar, click on it. 
9. An Uninstall option will appear on the bottom. Select it so as to remove Vulkan form your computer.

Vulkan Run Time supported games

It is true that, by number, DirectX is still more popular than Vulkan by a large gap. There are simply way more games that rather work with DirectX. Hence, games like Minecraft, Halo, and others (including DiRT2, Sid Meier’s Civilization V, Medal of Honor, Aliens vs. Predator, World of Warcraft, BattleForge, etc)

But on the contrary, there are plenty of games that find themselves compatible with Vulkan Run Time Libraries. So it is too early to say that Vulkan is out of the race. The games that work with Vulkan include Quake, Quake 2, Doom Doom Eternal, Roblox, Dota 2, Need for Speed: No Limits, Ballistic overkill, War Thunder and so on.

Wrapping up,

The article above covers a lot of things about Vulkan RunTime Libraries. We have gone covered its definition, uninstalling procedure, installing procedure and a lot more. Hence going through it will get you a good handle on what Vulkan really is. Let us know your queries via the comment section.