Microsoft has blocked developer accounts used for several popular open-source projects, hindering their ability to release updates and security fixes for Windows, and seemingly without adequate warning.

Affected projects include VPN software WireGuard and Windscribe, encryption tool VeraCrypt, and memory testing tool MemTest86.

VeraCrypt’s developer, Mounir Idrassi, stated his account for signing Windows drivers and the bootloader was terminated without warning or explanation, and that attempts to appeal have been unsuccessful. Reaching a human at Microsoft has proven impossible, impeding the delivery of Windows updates despite the majority of users being on that platform.

Developers of WireGuard, Windscribe and MemTest86 have reported similar experiences, struggling for weeks to reach Microsoft support.

WireGuard’s maintainer, Jason A. Donenfeld, mentioned the sudden suspension with no prior notification, raising concerns about the inability to quickly address critical security exploits.

After TechCrunch reported the issue, Microsoft’s Scott Hanselman said the accounts were automatically suspended for failing to complete mandatory verification required for all partners in the Windows Hardware Program since April 2024, a verification for which the company claimed to have sent emails since October 2025.

According to a Hardware Dev Center article from October 1, failing to complete the account verification within 30 days would result in automatic suspension from the Windows Hardware Program.

Microsoft stated on March 30 that the account verification had concluded, and accounts with a “Rejected” status were suspended and could no longer submit updates.

While awaiting a response from Microsoft, Hanselman said the issue would be addressed soon, but didn’t explain the lack of notification.

Idrassi, Windscribe, and Pavan Davuluri (Microsoft EVP for Windows and Devices) confirmed Hanselman’s involvement. Idrassi stated that Hanselman contacted him to help restore the suspended account and that “social media postings and interview with journalists helped trigger a response from Microsoft.”

Davuluri added that Microsoft made efforts to inform partners about the verification, but acknowledged that some may have missed the notifications. He indicated that they would review and improve their communication methods for such changes in the future.