May 20, 2026
9:59 p.m.
Chromium's software rendering mode (`--disable-gpu`) uses the SwiftShader software Vulkan implementation by setting `VK_ICD_FILENAMES` to a bundled `vk_swiftshader_icd.json` file, then loading a bundled `vulkan-1.dll`. With this patch, that still seems to be working correctly. (also FWIW, one other case of a game requiring the real Vulkan loader is Red Dead Redemption 2 in Vulkan mode, it enables an explicit Vulkan layer and will fail unless the layer is loaded) -- https://gitlab.winehq.org/wine/wine/-/merge_requests/10956#note_140912