"That Microsoft account doesn't exist. Enter a different account or get a new one." Why was my Microsoft account suddenly deleted? And how can I get it back?

Question

When trying to open something linked to my Microsoft account, this error shows up:

"That Microsoft account doesn't exist. Enter a different account or get a new one."

So then I go to my PC Settings > Accounts > Email & Accounts:

And then I see that the Microsoft account is listed below.

I've tried going to Recover your account (live.com) to recover the account, but when entering my information it shows the same error that my "account does not exist."

I then used my phone number linked to my account instead, and it allowed me to continue with the recovery process. I gave information that it asked for (subscriptions used with Microsoft, having a purchase, etc) in order to verify that it is my account.

They emailed me saying that the information was credible and verified, along with a link to "reset my password"

This then brought me to the same sign-in screen with the same "account does not exist" error, continuing this never-ending loop.

What can I do to sign into my account that is supposedly non-existent?

Answer 1

Unless the phone number was s up as an "alais" which is not the case for most people, you wouldn't be able to use that to log in.

Where you go from here?

Unfortunately there is only one way to recover an email account and that is via the Microsoft Account Recovery form and if that fails after repeated attempts (up to 2 times a day), the account is effectively lost. There is no way to recover an account any other way. The form only applies if 2 factor authentication has <NOT> been enabled

https://account.live.com/acsr

In case this helps

Help with the Microsoft account recovery form https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/help-with-the-microsoft-account-recovery-form-b19c02d1-a782-dee6-93c3-dc8113b20c42

If using the Account Recovery form is not successful, then

Account recovery unsuccessful https://support.microsoft.com/account-billing/account-recovery-unsuccessful-dc56c3e3-dff0-4ed5-8edb-60290eea6b53

If that still proves to be unsuccessful, the account is unfortunately, effectively lost. There are no alternate procedures that anyone in the forum can provide - sorry. Cannot provide a solution that does not exist,

As for asking "so many questions" - that's what we're here for so ask any questions that come to mind. Just can't promise that I'll be able to proiide a "happy answer".

Answer 2

Since this involves a @gmail address, if that has been removed, if you were able to log into the account using any other alias address, you would be able to add the @gmail address back to the account.

When you say using another alias address, could that be a phone number?

I tried using my phone number to go through the recovery process, but it still ended up bringing me a "change password" page, which in this case won't do me any good if I can't use the login @gmail. I thought this was progress because it means that my phone number must still be connected to an account, but I'm not sure what to do about this.

Where should I go from here? Sorry for asking so many questions!

Answer 3

The 60-day window applies to the actual closure of an account during which time you would be able to cancel the deletion request by logging into the account again and following the steps.

The 60 day window does not apply to the removal of Microsoft based email addresses being removed as an alias (@Outlook @Hotmail @Live @MSN) - that is immediate and permanent.

Since this involves a @gmail address, if that has been removed, if you were able to log into the account using any other alias address, you would be able to add the @gmail address back to the account.

Answer 4

Alright, that helps a lot. Thanks

I do have 1 more question. I see articles about a "60-day window" where a deleted account can be reversed. Is this applicable for me? My Microsoft account is using a @Gmail address.

To my knowledge, my account was deleted within the last 18 hours. (By someone else, possibly due to malware)

Thanks for your assistance!

Answer 5

Hello Sebastian K

Hi, I'm Karl and will be happy to help you today.

First, just so there is no misunderstanding, this is a public user-to-user support forum. We're users helping other users. We do not work for Microsoft and have no access to any user account so there is nothing we can do or check from within the forum. We have no input on Microsoft's policies, procedures, or design decisions.

Once you encounter the error "does not exist" it means that the email address has been permanently deleted and once permanently deleted, the email address can never be recovered by anyone under any circumstances no matter who or how the email address was deleted. There are no exceptions to this Microsoft policy.

I have a detailed article on the "does not exist" error.

Basics: Account “does not exist” error https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/forum/all/account-does-not-exist-error/21f1fe08-cf99-425a-92c2-d440c38feb53?tm=1678759942738

If you try to create a new account using a deleted email address, you would encounter an error message that the email address is already in use. That is technically correct since every email address is maintained in a database so that it can be checked. What is misleading about that message is that it does not indicate that it involves a deleted email address which causes confusion

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask, we're here to help you further if needed.