Developer Of Veracrypt Encryption Software Says Windows Users May Face Boot-up Issues After Microsoft Locked His Account

The developer of nan celebrated record encryption package VeraCrypt says Microsoft has blocked entree to nan relationship he utilized for sending updates to Windows users, and warned that anyone who encrypts their PCs pinch his package whitethorn soon look issues accessing their computers.

VeraCrypt developer Mounir Idrassi said successful an online post connected March 30 that Microsoft “terminated nan relationship I person utilized for years to motion Windows drivers and nan bootloader,” and said he received nary mentation aliases expertise to entreaty nan decision.

The Japan-based Idrassi said he attempted to interaction Microsoft, but was incapable to scope a human. Because Microsoft requires developer accounts for illustration his to re-verify nan information of their software, Idrassi said that galore devices moving VeraCrypt will soon beryllium incapable to footwear if nan rumor is not resolved.

A spokesperson for Microsoft did not instantly remark erstwhile reached by TechCrunch.

VeraCrypt is simply a wide used, open-source encryption package that allows users to scramble files connected their computers pinch encryption protected pinch a password, aliases encrypting their computer’s full operating strategy and and nan user’s information from pre-bootup attacks. The latest type of VeraCrypt’s package for Windows users, published successful May 2025, shows nan software’s installer record astatine almost a cardinal downloads since its release.

The business highlights really tech companies still clasp sizeable powerfulness complete nan apps that are distributed connected their platforms, and nan risks that users look erstwhile relying connected a third-party to support an account, which tin beryllium revoked nether rules that tin alteration astatine immoderate time. 

In Idrassi’s case, he said he is capable to push caller updates to Linux and macOS users unhindered, but nan mostly of his users that tally Windows cannot presently person updates. 

“For affected users, location is thing typical to do for now arsenic VeraCrypt will proceed to work, and location are nary information issues identified currently,” he told TechCrunch connected Wednesday.

Idrassi warned that users who person enabled strategy encryption, which scrambles nan full operating strategy from loading unless nan personification has nan passwords, whitethorn acquisition boot-up issues pinch their computers starting successful a fewer months, astir precocious June.

He said that Microsoft will soon revoke nan certificate authority utilized to digitally motion his VeraCrypt software, a process that developers spell done to forestall hackers from tampering pinch their software.

Without entree to nan Microsoft relationship utilized for sending package updates, “I will not beryllium capable to use nan required caller signature to VeraCrypt, making it intolerable to boot.”

“If nan rumor is not resolved by then, it would fundamentally mean a decease condemnation for VeraCrypt,” Idrassi told TechCrunch

This is nan latest illustration of companies automatically terminating online accounts. Earlier this year, developer Paris Buttfield-Addison was locked retired of their Apple account aft redeeming what they judge to beryllium a fraudulent gift paper sold to them by a ample retailer. 

Buttfield-Addison was capable to get their relationship reinstated aft news of their relationship prohibition went viral.