Overview
- - Microsoft said Wednesday that developer accounts for the Windows Hardware Program were auto-suspended after failing a mandatory identity check that concluded March 30.
- - Affected projects include VeraCrypt, WireGuard, Windscribe and MemTest86, which all rely on Microsoft’s process to sign Windows drivers so their software can load and update on PCs.
- - Driver signing is required for low-level Windows components, and VeraCrypt’s maintainer warned that a certificate change due in late June could stop some system‑encrypted PCs from booting if new signatures are not applied in time.
- - Developers reported no prior warning and only automated replies, with some told an appeal could take up to 60 days, leaving users without security fixes if urgent patches are needed.
- - After public reports, Microsoft executives began outreach, and WireGuard’s creator confirmed Thursday that his account was reinstated and a kernel driver update shipped, while Microsoft said it is reviewing how it communicates such changes.