Veracrypt is incompatible with ReFS on Windows Server 2022

[uom42]

VeraCrypt was unable to create and format a ReFS volume on Windows Server 2022.

Regardless of how we create the encrypted ReFS volume (quick or full): This cannot be done with a partition on a virtual disk. This cannot be done with a partition on a physical disk. This is not possible with a VC file container.

Also, if we create a veracrypt NTFS volume and try to format it to ReFS via format.com (quick or full), it will fail!

Expected behavior

Veracrypt can create and format ReFS volumes.

Observed behavior

Veracrypt can't create and format ReFS volumes.

VeraCrypt version: 1.26.7 x64

Operating system and version: Windows Server 21H2 20348.2031

System type: 64-bit

[idrassi]

I've successfully replicated the issue on Windows Server 2022 where the format.com command fails, displaying the error message: "Failed to initialize underlying data structures status 87." Unfortunately, the Windows Event Viewer doesn’t offer any insightful information regarding this failure.

I am currently investigating the issue. A concern is whether Windows Server 2022 mandates that ReFS volumes be located on physical drives, thereby potentially excluding virtual drives, such as those created by VeraCrypt.