Vetted by NeuralPress's Multi-Agent Verifier for strict factual validity and event relevance. Our compliance engine cross-checks and filters search results to ensure zero false correlations or misleading content.
Primary Sources
Developer of VeraCrypt encryption software says Windows users may face ...
The developer of the popular file encryption software VeraCrypt says Microsoft has blocked access to the account he used for sending updates to Windows users, and warned that anyone who encrypts their PCs with his software may soon face issues accessing their computers. VeraCrypt developer Mounir Idrassi said in an online post on March 30 that Microsoft “terminated the account I have used for years to sign Windows drivers and the bootloader,” and said he received no explanation or ability to appeal the decision. The Japan-based Idrassi said he attempted to contact Microsoft, but was unable to reach a human. Because Microsoft requires developer accounts like his to re-verify the security of their software, Idrassi said that many devices running VeraCrypt will soon be unable to boot if the issue is not resolved. A spokesperson for Microsoft 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 encryption protected with a password, or encrypting their computer’s entire operating system and and the user’s data from pre-bootup attacks. The latest version of VeraCrypt’s software for Windows users, published in May 2025, shows the software’s installer file at almost a million downloads since its release. The situation highlights how tech companies still hold considerable power over the apps that are distributed on their platforms, and the risks that users face when relying on a third-party 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 that run Windows cannot currently receive updates. “For affected users, there is nothing special to do for now as VeraCrypt will continue to work, and there are no security issues identified currently,” he told TechCrunch on Wednesday. Idrassi warned that users who have enabled system encryption, which scrambles the entire operating system from loading unless the user has the passwords, may experience boot-up issues with their computers starting in a few months, around late June. He said that Microsoft will soon revoke the certificate authority used to digitally sign his VeraCrypt software, a process that developers go through to prevent hackers from tampering with their software. Without access to the Microsoft account used for sending soft...
Challenges Plague VeraCrypt Project After Microsoft Account
Situation Overview Mounir Idrassi, the lead developer behind the popular open-source encryption tool VeraCrypt, has recently shared an unsettling update following a prolonged absence from development activities. His primary challenge stems from the unexpected termination of his Microsoft account, which he has relied upon for years to sign Windows drivers and manage the bootloader for the software. This abrupt action has halted any progress on Windows updates for VeraCrypt, significantly impacting the user base, which predominantly operates on Windows. Key Takeaways Mounir Idrassi's Microsoft account termination halts VeraCrypt Windows updates. Community response emphasizes the importance of support for independent developers. Concerns over Secure Boot compatibility and implications for user access. Termination of Microsoft Account Idrassi detailed his experience with the account termination in a post, stating that Microsoft provided no prior warnings or email notifications regarding the issue. The message he received upon attempting to log in indicated that no appeal process was available, leaving him in a state of uncertainty and frustration. Attempts to reach Microsoft support have yielded little success, as Idrassi reported only receiving automated replies and no human interaction. This lack of communication raises questions about the transparency of Microsoft's account management policies and the challenges faced by independent developers relying on corporate platforms. Impact on VeraCrypt Development The termination of Idrassi's account is particularly concerning for the future of VeraCrypt, as he explained. While updates for Linux and macOS versions can still be published, the inability to issue updates for Windows—a platform that constitutes the majority of VeraCrypt's user base—represents a significant setback. The last signed version, 1.26.24, utilizes a Certificate Authority (CA) from 2011, which is approaching expiration. This raises further concerns regarding Secure Boot compatibility and user experience. Idrassi pointed out practical implications of the situation, questioning whether users would need to disable Secure Boot to install VeraCrypt, even for non-system encryption tasks. Additionally, concerns were raised about how this would affect users wishing to build unsigned versions of the software for personal use. Community Responses and Suggestions The developer community has rallied around Idrassi, offering suggestions for potentia...
Microsoft Abruptly Terminates VeraCrypt Account, Halting Windows Updates
Last week, Idrassi took to the SourceForge forums to explain why he had been absent for a few months. The most serious challenge, he wrote, "is that Microsoft terminated the account I have used for years to sign Windows drivers and the bootloader." "Regarding VeraCrypt, I cannot publish Windows updates.
Veracrypt drives only work on the computer that made them?
So I created two veracrypt drives on a Windows 10 computer, both on USBs. One of the usbs is entirely encrypted and the other USB contains an encrypted container.
