Veracrypt Project Update
Source: Hacker News
Home | Browse | VeraCrypt | Forums
Project navigation
- Summary
- Files
- Reviews
- Support
- Source Code
- Forums
- Tickets
- Documentation
- FAQ
- Donate
- Faire un don
- Mailing Lists
- Wiki
Project Update
Created: 2026‑03‑30
Updated: 22 hours ago
Mounir IDRASSI
Hi everyone,
I want to share an update following my absence over the past few months.
I have encountered some challenges but the most serious one is that Microsoft terminated the account I have used for years to sign Windows drivers and the bootloader. You can see below a screenshot of the message shown when I tried to sign in.
Microsoft did not send me any emails or prior warnings. I have received no explanation for the termination and their message indicates that no appeal is possible.
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.
This termination impacts my work beyond VeraCrypt and has consequences for my daily job.
Currently I’m out of options.
Regarding VeraCrypt, I cannot publish Windows updates. Linux and macOS updates can still be done but Windows is the platform used by the majority of users and so the inability to deliver Windows releases is a major blow to the project.
I’m open to proposals and help.
😕
3 reactions
Marty
Some practical questions about the most current Windows release, until this situation can be resolved:
- The current version 1.26.24 is signed with the 2011 CA, which is soon to expire. This will certainly affect Secure Boot… but how will this affect mounting non‑system volumes (partitions and/or file containers) as a user? Will one have to disable Secure Boot just to install VeraCrypt, even if not using system encryption? And how will this affect portable use?
- The same question applies to unsigned versions people may choose to build for themselves for Windows.
👍
3 reactions
AJ B
Hi Mounir,
I’m so sorry to hear about this. I would try contacting Microsoft using the link below. There is a link to “Help with the Microsoft account recovery form” on this page:
There is also a link to “I need to talk to a customer support agent” on that page. Apologies if you ha…
(Comment truncated for brevity)
Community Discussion
User
“I’ve already tried these links. Alex R’s kind suggestion of posting to Reddit and Twitter (now X) are great suggestions too since this will likely get you re‑directed to the right people.
If your account has been disabled for more than 30 days it could be unrecoverable. You may need to set up a new account and start the verification process all over again to have your new account enabled for driver‑signing purposes.
I hope this is somewhat helpful. Thanks.”
Last edit: AJ B – 2 hours ago
Alex R
“Would you be OK if I posted this to socials, such as Microsoft’s Reddit or Twitter accounts? Might get some traction.”
👍 1 ❤️ 1
Mounir IDRASSI (reply)
“Yes, no problem. I don’t have much social presence so this can be helpful. Thanks.”
风之暇想
“In view of this situation, I recommend adding a signature‑independent program that provides archive‑like creation and extraction functions (without support for real‑time modification), so as to cope with highly targeted scenarios.”
Gary Marks
“This is a sad turn of events, Mounir! This may seem a bit out in left field (to use an American idiom), but is it possible that some seemingly minor aspect of your recent relocation to Japan is at the root of this inexplicable account revocation?
Grasping at straws is a hobby of mine :)”
Phoenix
“I’m really sorry to hear this bad news. Someone probably reported the software, claiming it could be used for illegal activities, which led to the account being deleted. Unfortunately, the general trend is increasingly toward controlling and monitoring what people do, and there is less and less respect for privacy.
Is there no way to get around this limitation, even temporarily? Perhaps by restricting the software, for now, to non‑system partitions and volumes?”
Enigma2Illusion
Try emailing Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella:
satyan@microsoft.com
Use brief details from your first post in this thread along with the error‑message screenshot.
Example email template:
Subject: Reinstate Partner Center Program Account for my Software Developer Business
Dear Satya Nadella,
I need someone from your staff to help me get my Partner Center program account reinstated for my Windows developer business.
I attempted to log in to my Partner Center account and received the following error message:
[insert your screenshot of error here]
I did not receive any email notices or prior warnings from Microsoft about an issue with my Partner Center account, and I have contacted support for assistance without results.
This issue impacts my business to provide third‑party Windows software.
Kind Regards,
Mounir Idrassi
[insert your business(es) name(s)]
[insert your business email]
[insert your business phone number and any alternate phone numbers]
[insert your business address]
Time zone: JST (UTC+9)Preguntar Jeeves
“First, I doubt (hope not!) the account is actually deleted; it’s most likely just disabled/turned off. Your account is probably just in the recycle bin… :)
I would email people in the crypto community/other devs who might know someone at Microsoft – e.g., Bruce Schneir, Chris Titus, Niels Ferguson – or contacts at Microsoft such as Karen Easterbrook, Nathan Ide.
I would also contact media outlets – Tom’s Hardware, Ars Technica, Wired, The Intercept, EFF – and relevant Reddit subs (privacy and crypto). The All‑In podcast hosts and Elon Musk could help as well.
Additionally, consider reaching out to US congressional offices for assistance: Representatives Tom Massie and Senators Rand Paul, Ron Wyden. Even though you’re not a US citizen, there is a compelling privacy interest for US citizens who are the bulk (guessing) of the users of this software.”
👍 2
Last edit: Preguntar Jeeves – 2 days ago
Log in to post a comment.
