Resolve account issues

Question

I need help with a problem I have created. I changed my email recently and mistakenly thought I needed a new Microsoft account, which I set up. I then realised I could have just changed my email on the original account and tried to do so but got the message that that email was already taken (by my new account). If I delete the new account am I right in thinking that the email will still show as taken since deleted accounts can be retrieved for 60 days? Is there any way around this?

Answer 1

If losing your past email address is something that will happen, then consider creating a new user account on your computer with the updated email. This way, you won't lose access to your computer, you can follow these steps:

1. Select the Start button and then select Settings.
2. Select Accounts and then select Family & other users.
3. Under Other users, select Add other user and then select Add account.
4. Enter the email address of the Microsoft account you want to use for the new account, and then select Next.
5. Follow the prompts to complete the account setup.
6. Once the account is created, select the account name and then select Change account type.
7. Select Administrator and then select OK.

Answer 2

Yes, but at some point i may lose that email address.

Answer 3

So the original account, not the one you created, do you still have access to it? I mean, can you access it when you enter your password?

Answer 4

Thanks for that. So any suggestions about how I can get the mess I made sorted out? I have my original account with an email address I may soon lose access to and a new account created with my new email address. So it looks like I can't use the new email now for my original account, even if I delete the new one. My other option would be to delete the original account and use the new one instead. Are there any implications to doing that? Do I risk not being able to log into my laptop or any other disasters?

Answer 5

Hello Steve, thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Community. I am here to help and provide assistance with any questions or concerns you may have.

Just a friendly reminder, this forum is a place where community members come together to offer support. We don't work for Microsoft, so we don't have access to user accounts or the ability to perform actions related to them. Nevertheless, we're here to assist and provide guidance to the best of our abilities within the community.

After generating the email, the associated username will likely remain unavailable for an extended period, with no specific timeframe guaranteed. It's worth noting that the 60-day recovery limit for deleted emails applies only in specific situations.

Generally, when an account is deleted, the username may be unavailable for a considerable duration, potentially indefinitely, as Microsoft typically doesn't recycle usernames.