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.
π
2
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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.
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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 :)
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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?
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I would try sending an email to Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella at:
satyan@microsoft.com
Use brief details from your first post in this thread along with the error message screenshot.
Possible email shown below.
Subject Line: Reinstate Partner Center Program Account for my Software Developer Business
Dear Satya Nadella,
I need someone from your staff's to help me get my Partner Center program account reinstated for my Windows developer business.
I attempted to login to my Partner Center account and I received the following error message.
insert your screenshot of error here
I did not receive from Microsoft any email notices or prior warnings that there is 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)
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
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.
Would you be OK if I posted this to socials, such as Microsoft's reddit or twitter accounts? Might get some traction.
yes, no problem. I don't have much social presence so this can be helpful. Thanks.
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.
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 :)
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?
@idrassi
I would try sending an email to Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella at:
satyan@microsoft.com
Use brief details from your first post in this thread along with the error message screenshot.
Possible email shown below.
Subject Line: Reinstate Partner Center Program Account for my Software Developer Business
Dear Satya Nadella,
I need someone from your staff's to help me get my Partner Center program account reinstated for my Windows developer business.
I attempted to login to my Partner Center account and I received the following error message.
insert your screenshot of error hereI did not receive from Microsoft any email notices or prior warnings that there is 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 emailinsert your business phone number and any alternate phone numbersinsert your business addressTime zone :
JST (UTC+9)