Vulkan Run Time Libraries 1.0.39.1 • Tested & Working
Vulkan Run Time Libraries (VulkanRT) version 1.0.39.1 is a legitimate, essential component of your computer's graphics drivers, typically installed automatically by
. It is a cross-platform graphics and compute API developed by the Khronos Group
to provide higher performance and lower CPU overhead compared to older standards like OpenGL. Key Facts & Safety Not Malware vulkan run time libraries 1.0.39.1
: Despite its sudden appearance in your "Apps & Features" list, it is not a virus or bloatware. Automatic Installation
: It usually arrives via a graphics driver update or when you install a new game that requires it to run. Vulkan Run Time Libraries (VulkanRT) version 1
: It allows your PC to communicate efficiently with your GPU, which is critical for modern gaming and professional 3D rendering. Should You Keep or Uninstall It?
: There is no benefit to removing it. If you uninstall it, you may find that certain games or applications fail to launch, or your system may experience graphics performance issues. Uninstallation Risk Automatically bundled with official GPU driver packages
: If you do uninstall it, you cannot simply "redownload" it as a standalone app easily; you would likely need to reinstall your entire graphics driver suite to get it back. Version 1.0.39.1 Context
This specific version (1.0.39.1) dates back to early 2017. If you are seeing this version now, your graphics drivers may be outdated. While it is safe, modern systems usually run version 1.2 or 1.3+. You can check for the latest versions and documentation on the official Vulkan SDK page to the latest version of Vulkan?
1. Overview
| Attribute | Details |
|-----------|---------|
| Full Name | Vulkan Run Time Libraries |
| Version | 1.0.39.1 |
| Type | System software / Graphics API runtime |
| Publisher | The Khronos Group Inc. (via graphics driver installers) |
| Common Location | C:\Program Files (x86)\VulkanRT\1.0.39.1\ |
| Typical File | vulkan-1.dll, vulkaninfo.exe, VulkanRT-EULA.rtf |
How it’s installed/updated
- Automatically bundled with official GPU driver packages. Updating your GPU drivers (from the vendor’s site or via Windows Update) typically installs or updates Vulkan runtimes.
- Developers can install Vulkan SDK (from LunarG) for development; the SDK is separate from the runtime and includes headers, tools, validation layers, and samples.
4. High CPU usage from Vulkan-related processes
- Cause: Rare – sometimes incorrect shader compilation.
- Fix: Clean reinstall of GPU drivers using Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) in Safe Mode.
Scenarios where you can REMOVE it:
- You only use integrated graphics (Intel HD 4000 or older) – Those do not support Vulkan.
- You never play games or use 3D apps – Basic office, browsing, or video streaming works fine without Vulkan.
- You have a newer Vulkan runtime installed – Newer versions (1.2, 1.3, 1.4) are backward compatible, making 1.0.39.1 redundant.
Important: If you uninstall 1.0.39.1 and a program requires it, that program will either (a) prompt you to reinstall, (b) crash, or (c) fall back to a different renderer (e.g., OpenGL or DirectX). Uninstalling is generally safe but not recommended for gamers.
