Need to recover a deactivated/deleted Microsoft account linked to my Facebook

Question

I have a Microsoft account that I haven't logged into since 2020. Because of this long period of inactivity, the account seems to have been deleted or deactivated.

The problem is:

When I try to log in, it says: "This Microsoft account doesn't exist."

But when I try to create a new account with the same name, it says: "This email is already taken."

I desperately need to access this email because my Facebook account is linked to it. Facebook is asking for a security code that can only be sent to this specific email address. Without it, I cannot recover my Facebook account.

I still know the correct password for this Microsoft account, which proves it belongs to me. Is there any way to temporarily reactivate it or allow me to recreate it so I can receive the Facebook code?

Thank you for your help.

Answer 1

If you haven't used this account during the last two years, it is unfortunately closed permanently and cannot be recovered. Microsoft's account activity policy is explained here:  https://support.microsoft.com/topic/microsoft-account-activity-policy-7c0a9fa7-0982-b7c6-fd72-df852b63699f

Microsoft doesn't allow recycling email addresses, so there's no way you can recreate the same username either.

Sorry, I am afraid you would have to work with Facebook support to explore other recovery options.

Answer 2

Based on the documented behavior of Microsoft accounts, this situation typically means the account is no longer recoverable.

1. If a Microsoft account is not used for more than two years, it may be automatically deleted and can no longer be reopened or recovered. This includes Outlook.com email accounts. Knowing the old password does not override this policy.
2. When an account has been deleted, sign-in attempts can show messages such as “We couldn’t find an account with that username” or “The Microsoft account you've entered does not exist.”
3. After deletion, the same email address generally cannot be recreated or reactivated for use, so it cannot be used again to receive new mail (including Facebook security codes).

Given the above, there is no supported way to temporarily reactivate or recreate a deleted Microsoft account just to receive a verification code.

What can still be tried, if there is any chance the account is only blocked or misrecognized and not fully deleted:

1. Use the Sign-in Helper tool
   • Go through the Sign-in Helper tool as described under “Recover lost access to your Microsoft account.”
   • If the tool confirms the account does not exist or cannot be found, this supports that it has been deleted.
2. Use the standard recovery paths (only if the account is still recognized)
   • If at any point the system recognizes the username, use Recover your account and follow the security code and password reset steps described in “My username and password have stopped working.”
3. If the account is confirmed deleted
   • If the account has not been used for more than two years and is returning “account doesn’t exist,” documentation states it can no longer be reopened or reused. In that case, the only remaining option for the Facebook issue is to work with Facebook support to prove identity and change the login email on their side, since the original mailbox cannot be restored.

There is no Microsoft-supported mechanism to bypass these policies, manually restore a permanently deleted account, or force delivery of a one-time code to an address that no longer exists in the Microsoft account system.

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References:

• I can't sign in to my Microsoft account
• Reopen your Microsoft account
• Help with the Microsoft account recovery form
• My username and password have stopped working