Microsoft's baffling account ban blocks security patches for Windscribe, WireGuard VPN, VeraCrypt

Date:
Thu, 09 Apr 2026 15:50:14 +0000

Description:
Without the ability to sign kernel-level drivers, millions of people using these privacy tools could be left waiting for critical security fixes. Microsoft has now publicly acknowledged the issue, stating it is actively working to reinstate the accounts.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Tech Radar Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Become a Member in Seconds Unlock instant access to exclusive member
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your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. You are now subscribed Your newsletter sign-up was successful Join the club Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards. Explore An account already exists for this email address, please log in. Subscribe to our newsletter WireGuard, Windscribe, VeraCrypt had their Microsoft account blocked The lockout prevents the release of software updates or security patches
Microsoft said to be actively working to reinstate the accounts Several high-profile open-source privacy and cybersecurity projects have had their Microsoft developer accounts abruptly suspended. This leaves millions of Windows users potentially exposed, as it completely halts developers' ability to publish software updates and vital security patches.

The list of impacted projects reads like a who's who of essential privacy software. It includes the widely used Windscribe VPN service, the
foundational WireGuard VPN protocol that underpins the best VPN services, and the popular open-source disk encryption utility VeraCrypt . After widespread developers' backlash online, a Microsoft employee has publicly acknowledged the issue , promising that the team is actively working to reinstate the accounts. You may like Windscribe promises users in Iran and Russia "solutions" to ongoing VPN crackdown here's everything we know Windows 11 update breaks Edge here's what to do if you're affected Unable to access Microsoft Cloud PC? This could be why - and a fix is on the way "No warning, no notification" The affected developers quickly expressed mounting frustration over Microsoft's lack of communication, with several claiming
they were given zero advance notice before their accounts were deactivated.

For developers, in fact, this suspension is a nightmare scenario. Without an active Microsoft developer account, they cannot certify third-party drivers for Windows 10 and 11. Without this required certification, the operating system flags the updates as unsigned and blocks them from loading at the kernel level.

For everyday users, this means a total freeze on new features and a dangerous delay in receiving emergency fixes.

In a forum post shared on March 30, VeraCrypt developer Mounir Idrassi wrote: "Microsoft terminated the account I have used for years to sign Windows drivers and the bootloader."

Idrassi noted the dire lack of support, adding, "I have tried to contact Microsoft through various channels, but I have only received automated
replies and bots. I was unable to reach a human." It appears @Microsoft is actively suspending developer accounts with no warning or reason of various security tools like VeraCrypt, WireGuard and also Windscribe. We've had this VERIFIED account for 8+ years to sign our drivers. We've been trying to resolve this for over a https://t.co/iwkryuwKuO pic.twitter.com/7VcnAQIbnP April 8, 2026 The team behind Windscribe VPN echoed these struggles in a post on X published on Wednesday (April 8), stating they have "been trying to resolve this for over a month, and getting nowhere."

Speaking to PCMag , the creator of WireGuard, Jason Donenfeld, also explained the very real risks this poses to Windows users. "Indeed, I cannot sign drivers, which means I cannot ship updates for WireGuard for Windows," Donenfeld said. What to read next "Another wave of VPN blocks:" Windscribe records drop in traffic in Russia Proton, Tor, AdGuard among 40+ asking
Google to reverse new 'alien security model' for Android developers Problems with your Android VPN? Proton VPN warns it's Google's fault Microsoft responds: A fix is coming The root cause of the suspensions appears to be
tied to a recent policy enforcement shift. However, developers like Donenfeld claimed their accounts had already been verified or that they had received absolutely no warning, forcing them into a sluggish 60-day appeals process.

Fortunately for users waiting on critical updates, a resolution is imminent. Following the public backlash, Pavan Davuluri, EVP of Windows + Devices at Microsoft, took to X to address the situation.

"Weve seen these reports and are actively working to resolve this as quickly as possible," Davuluri stated, noting that Microsoft has already reached out to VeraCrypt and spoken with Donenfeld at WireGuard. "They should be back up and running soon." Thanks, Tim. Weve seen these reports and are actively working to resolve this as quickly as possible. Weve reached out to VeraCrypt and have spoken to Jason at WireGuard, they should be back up and running soon.Some background on this, this is all part of our ongoing efforts April
8, 2026 Davuluri confirmed the suspensions stem from an October policy change requiring account verification for partners in the Windows Hardware Program who hadn't completed the process since April 2024. He pushed back slightly on the claims of a zero-warning ban, stating that Microsoft "worked hard to make sure partners understood this was coming, from emails, banners, reminders."

However, Davuluri conceded that the company's messaging clearly failed to reach several high-profile developers. "And we know that sometimes things still get missed," Davuluri wrote. "We're taking this as an opportunity to review how we communicate changes like this and make sure we're doing it better."

With Microsoft actively assisting with reinstatement, it shouldn't be long before these vital privacy tools can resume rolling out patches to keep Windows users secure. Today's best VPN deals NordVPN 2 Year 2.59 /mth View +3 months free Surfshark 24 Months 1.49 /mth View Proton VPN 2.39 /mth View We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices Follow
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