Encryption software developer VeraCrypt says Windows users may experience boot-up issues after Microsoft locked its account

The developer of popular file encryption software VeraCrypt said Microsoft has blocked access to the account it used to send updates to Windows users, and warned that anyone who encrypts their computers using its software could soon have problems accessing their computers.

VeraCrypt developer Mounir Idrassi said in an online post on March 30 that Microsoft had “terminated the account it had used for years to sign Windows drivers and bootloaders,” and said he had received no explanation or ability to appeal the decision.

Al-Idrassi, who lives in Japan, said that he tried to contact Microsoft, but was unable to reach anyone. Because Microsoft requires developer accounts like his to re-verify the security of its software, Al-Idrassi said many devices using VeraCrypt will soon be unable to boot if the issue is not resolved.

A Microsoft spokesperson did not immediately comment when contacted by TechCrunch.

VeraCrypt is a widely used open source encryption software that allows users to encrypt files on their computers with password-protected encryption, or encrypt their entire computers operating system and user data from pre-boot attacks. The latest version of VeraCrypt for Windows users, published in May 2025, shows the software’s installation file having nearly 1 million downloads since its release.

The situation highlights how tech companies still have too much power over the apps distributed on their platforms, and the risks 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 Edrasi’s case, he said he is able to push new updates to Linux and macOS users without a hitch, but the majority of his users using Windows are currently unable to receive updates.

“For affected users, there is nothing special to do at this time as VeraCrypt will continue to function, and no security issues have currently been identified,” he told TechCrunch on Wednesday.

Al-Idrassi warned that users who enabled system encryption, which prevents the entire operating system from loading unless the user has the passwords, may have problems booting their computers starting a few months ago, around late June.

He said Microsoft will soon revoke the certification authority used to digitally sign its VeraCrypt software, a process developers go through to prevent hackers from tampering with their software.

“Users who have enabled system encryption with VeraCrypt may experience boot issues after July 2026 as Microsoft will rescind… [certificate authority] “It was used to sign the VeraCrypt bootloader,” Al-Idrassi said. “A new Microsoft CA must be used for the bootloader to continue working.”

Without access to the Microsoft account used to send software updates, “I would not be able to apply the required new signature to VeraCrypt, making it impossible to run.”

“If the issue is not resolved by then, it will mean a death sentence for VeraCrypt,” Idrasi 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 believed was a fraudulent gift card sold to them by a major retailer.

Buttfield-Addison was able to get her account back after news of her account ban spread.