- WireGuard, Windscribe, and VeraCrypt Have Their Microsoft Accounts Locked
- Blocking prevents the release of software updates or security patches.
- Microsoft said it is actively working to reinstate the accounts.
Several high-profile open source cybersecurity and privacy projects have had their Microsoft developer accounts abruptly suspended. This leaves millions of Windows users potentially exposed as it completely stops developers’ ability to release vital software updates and security patches.
The list of affected 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 backlash from online developers, a Microsoft employee has publicly acknowledged the issue and promised that the team is actively working to restore the accounts.
“No notice, no notice”
Affected developers quickly expressed growing frustration over the lack of communication from Microsoft, with several claiming that they were not given 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 marks updates as unsigned and blocks them from loading at the kernel level.
For everyday users, this means a complete freeze on new features and a dangerous delay in receiving emergency fixes.
Idrassi noted the dire lack of support, adding: “I’ve tried contacting Microsoft through various channels, but only received automated responses and bots. I couldn’t get through to a human.”
It appears that @Microsoft is actively suspending developer accounts without notice or reason from various security tools such as VeraCrypt, WireGuard, and also Windscribe. We have had this VERIFIED account for over 8 years to hire our drivers. We’ve been trying to figure this out for over a… pic.twitter.com/7VcnAQIbnPApril 8, 2026
The team behind Windscribe VPN echoed these issues in a post on
Speaking to PCMag, WireGuard creator Jason Donenfeld also explained the very real risks this poses to Windows users. “In fact, I can’t sign drivers, which means I can’t push WireGuard for Windows updates,” Donenfeld said.
Microsoft responds: A solution is coming
The root cause of the suspensions appears to be linked to a recent change in policy enforcement. However, developers like Donenfeld claimed that their accounts had already been verified or they had not received any warnings, forcing them into a slow 60-day appeals process.
Fortunately for users waiting for critical updates, the resolution is imminent. Following the public backlash, Pavan Davuluri, executive vice president of Windows+ devices at Microsoft, turned to X to address the situation.
“We have seen these reports and are actively working to resolve this as quickly as possible,” Davuluri said, noting that Microsoft has already contacted VeraCrypt and spoken to Donenfeld at WireGuard. “They should be back up and running soon.”
Thanks, Tim. We have seen these reports and are actively working to resolve this as quickly as possible. We contacted VeraCrypt and spoke 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 that the suspensions stem from an October policy change requiring account verification for Windows Hardware Program partners who had not completed the process since April 2024. He slightly pushed back on claims of a zero-warning ban, stating that Microsoft “worked hard to make sure partners understood this was coming, through emails, banners, and reminders.”
However, Davuluri admitted that the company’s messages clearly did not reach several high-profile developers. “And we know that sometimes things still get overlooked,” Davuluri wrote. “We’re taking this as an opportunity to review how we communicate changes like this and make sure we’re doing better.”
With Microsoft actively helping with the reset, it shouldn’t be long before these vital privacy tools can resume rolling out patches to keep Windows users safe.
