dead acount gamertag release?

What I want to know is if there is any way to report a gamertag that is clearly inactive, with no signs of being active again. And if so and the account is closed, can you take that name for yourself when it is?

xbox-live

Best Answer

You can't do this. You can't even delete your own gamertag.

Microsoft has a help article called How to delete your Microsoft account and personal information associated with it. It says

Note You cannot delete your gamertag, but if you use an Xbox 360, you can transfer your gamertag to another Microsoft account. This option is not available on Xbox One.

So, assuming you're not on Xbox One, if there's a gamertag you want that is already taken, you would have to find the owner and get them to help you to transfer it to your Microsoft account.

Pictures about "dead acount gamertag release?"

dead acount gamertag release? - Close-up Photo of Skull

dead acount gamertag release? - High Angle View of Lying Down on Grass

dead acount gamertag release? - Grey Skulls Piled on Ground

How long until gamertag is available?

It isn't just for gaming. If the gamertag hasn't signed into any Microsoft service for 2 years, then it'll become available.

Does Xbox remove inactive accounts?

Usually when an account is inactive for 5 years it is deleted. However, the gamer tag may not be released at that time. Also some people make accounts sign into Xbox.com and never play a game so the account is active.

Do old gamertags expire?

That's all we've got. Xbox Gamertags will soon expire after five years, should you go that long without signing into Xbox Live. This stipulation was snuck into the changes made in Microsoft's new service agreement.

Will Xbox reset gamertags?

There will not be another mass reset like they've done in the past. As of 2016, if you don't sign into your Xbox account for 5 years, the tag will be released. And as of August 31, 2019, if you don't sign into your Microsoft account within 2 years, that account will be closed which should free up the tag as well.

Microsoft Reviving Old Unused/Dead Gamertags!

Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Images: Ahmed Adly, Mitja Juraja, Pixabay, Renato Danyi