The developer of popular file encryption software VeraCrypt says Microsoft has blocked access to the account it used to send updates to Windows users and warned that anyone who encrypts their computers with its software may soon experience problems accessing their computers.
VeraCrypt developer Mounir Idrassi said an online post on March 30 that Microsoft “terminated the account I’ve used for years to sign Windows drivers and bootloader” and said it received no explanation or opportunity to appeal the decision.
Japan-based Idrassi said he tried to contact Microsoft but was unable to reach a human. Because Microsoft requires developer accounts like this to re-verify the security of their software, Idrassi said many devices running VeraCrypt will soon be unable to boot if the problem isn’t fixed.
A Microsoft representative did not immediately comment when reached by TechCrunch.
VeraCrypt is a widely used open source encryption software that allows users to scramble files on their computers with password-protected encryption or encrypt their entire computer’s operating system and user data from pre-boot attacks. The latest version of VeraCrypt software for Windows users, published in May 2025shows the installation file of the software with almost a million downloads since its release.
The situation highlights how tech companies still have significant power over the apps distributed on their platforms, and the risks users face when they rely on third parties to maintain an account, which can be revoked under rules that can change at any time.
In Idrassi’s case, he said he is able to push new updates to Linux and macOS users unhindered, but the majority of his users running Windows are currently unable to receive updates.
“For affected users, there is nothing special to do at this time, as VeraCrypt will continue to work and no security issues have been identified at this time,” he told TechCrunch on Wednesday.
Idrassi warned that users who have enabled system encryption, which encrypts the entire operating system from boot unless the user has the passwords, may experience boot problems with their computers in a few months or so end of June.
He said Microsoft would soon revoke the certificate authority used to digitally sign VeraCrypt software, a process developers follow to prevent hackers from compromising their software.
“Users who have enabled system encryption with VeraCrypt may experience boot issues after July 2026 because Microsoft will withdraw the [certificate authority] that was used to sign the VeraCrypt bootloader,” Idrassi said. “A new Microsoft CA must be used for the bootloaders to continue working.”
Without access to the Microsoft account used to send software updates, “I will not be able to apply the required new signature to VeraCrypt, making it impossible to boot.”
“If the issue is not resolved by then, it would essentially mean a death sentence for VeraCrypt,” Idrassi told TechCrunch.
This is the latest example of companies automatically terminating online accounts. Earlier this year, developer Paris Buttfield-Addison was locked out of their Apple account after redeeming what they believe is a fraudulent gift card sold to them by a major retailer.
Buttfield-Addison was able to get their account reinstated after news of their account ban went viral.
