Microsoft account suspension fiasco angers developers: critical updates paralyzed

The Redmond giant says it is working to restore access to developers of VeraCrypt, WireGuard, and other Windows tools and drivers after account suspensions disrupted their ability to sign and release updates. OSR, a longtime Windows driver developer, warns that it can’t update thousands of desktops and instruments.

Cybernews reported that Microsoft terminated or suspended accounts of developers behind VeraCrypt and WireGuard, two widely used and critically important utilities. They’re unable to sign and release Windows updates. Microsoft has now responded to pleas for help from the creators of VeraCrypt and WireGuard.

Pavan Davuluri, Executive Vice President of Windows and Devices at Microsoft, assures that the company is actively working to resolve the issues as quickly as possible.

“We’ve reached out to VeraCrypt and have spoken to Jason at WireGuard – they should be back up and running soon,” Davuluri posted on X.

He further explained that the issues are related to the ongoing efforts to help protect customers and the Windows ecosystem. Last October, the company announced that it would require account verification for all partners in the Windows Hardware Program who had not completed account verification since April 2024.

Microsoft linked to a blog post from last year about the initiation of the mandatory account verification for all partners in the Windows Hardware Program.

“We worked hard to make sure partners understood this was coming, from emails, banners, and reminders. And we know that sometimes things still get missed. We're taking this as an opportunity to review how we communicate changes like this and make sure we’re doing it better,” Davuluri said.

According to the blog post, the account verification process has been completed. Partners who failed to complete Account Verification by the deadline or did not meet the requirements had their status set to “Rejected” and were suspended from the Windows hardware program.

However, yet another company – OSR (Open Systems Resources), a long-time developer of Windows drivers and driver tools – claims that its account was locked out and is not satisfied with the answer.

“With respect, that’s pure nonsense. First, a blog post is not reasonable notice to a finite list of companies, many of whose customers – some in critical situations – depend on their ability to sign drivers,” OSR responded on X.

“Next, when we logged on in October and saw the banner, we found our signing access restricted. We immediately completed the verification process and were once again able to sign drivers. Then, suddenly and with no notice or warning, as we were preparing to release an update for our customers, we discovered we didn’t have signing access anymore.”

OSR assures its admins didn’t miss the email – it was either never sent or never got through to their M365-hosted Outlook inboxes. All the verification paperwork was completed back in October.

“Directing people to a generic support page that asks you to engage with a chatbot is insulting. This problem is waaaay beyond that level,” the post reads.

“There are multiple, well-known, reputable companies that have been impacted the same way.”

They have suggested that Microsoft establish a dedicated human contact channel with a direct email address to resolve similar issues.

OSR warned that thousands of desktops and instruments aren’t receiving updates because the company can’t sign drivers.

Unlock more exclusive Cybernews content on YouTube.