What is “Vulkan Run Time Libraries 1.3.391” (or similar version numbers)?
If you see “Vulkan Run Time Libraries” in your Windows Apps & Features list, or a pop-up mentions a version like 1.3.391 (often misread as 10391), you have nothing to worry about. Here’s everything you need to know.
Epilogue
Action: You should not uninstall it. If it is removed, games or software using the Vulkan API may fail to run or display graphics correctly.
What are the Vulkan Runtime Libraries?
The Runtime Libraries are the specific files your computer needs to execute programs built with Vulkan. Without these libraries installed on your Windows PC, any game or application built on the Vulkan engine would crash immediately upon launch.
AMD Radeon Software: Includes Vulkan for optimized performance on GCN and RDNA architectures.
False Positives: Some antivirus software may occasionally flag Vulkan files as suspicious due to their "stealthy" background installation, but these are typically false positives. Maintenance and Action
How to Update or Repair It
If you are seeing errors related to Vulkan, or if you simply want to ensure you have the absolute latest version (instead of an older build like 10391), follow these steps:
Performance Optimization: Unlike its predecessor OpenGL, Vulkan is built to distribute workloads more evenly across multiple CPU cores, reducing "CPU bottlenecks" and improving overall performance in 3D applications and games.
3. Epic Games Store or Steam Redistributables
Steamworks Common Redistributables often include Vulkan. If a game fails to find a compatible version, Steam automatically downloads the newest runtime—including 10391.