Microsoft account -- Not found AND cannot create it subsequently

Question

Hello,

I am trying to access my Hotmail account: V******@hotmail.com

When I try to sign in, Microsoft shows the message:

"We couldn't find a Microsoft account. Try entering your details again, or create an account."

I click on >> Create your Microsoft account >>

Enter your new email address -- enter my Hotmail account which Microsoft could not FIND.

Message states -- "That username is already taken. Try another one or use one of these available options".

Can Microsoft fix this error / release or reset my email address

Answer 1

Thank you for the information.

Unfortunately, you will not be able to create a new Microsoft account using the same email address because it has a Microsoft domain "Hotmail".

This is because you cannot reuse an email address with a Microsoft domain if the Hotmail account associated with it has been removed or deleted due to inactivity.

As previously mentioned, email addresses with Microsoft domains, such as Outlook, Hotmail, Live, or MSN, cannot be reused for a Microsoft account once they have been removed or deleted. This is stated in the following article, specifically in the "Remove an email address" section:

https://support.microsoft.com/Outlook/add-or-remove-an-email-alias-in-outlook-com

Thank you for your understanding.

Best regards,

Darhyl

Answer 2

Hey there! Nice to meet you!

Kindly double-check if the account name was typed correctly. Also, if you have not signed in for more than 2 years, your account may have already been deleted/closed due to inactivity.

As stated by Microsoft, accounts that have not been signed in or have been locked for more than 2 years will be deleted due to inactivity, and they can no longer be recovered: https://support.microsoft.com/topic/microsoft-account-activity-policy-7c0a9fa7-0982-b7c6-fd72-df852b63699f

If none of the scenarios above are applicable, the error you are experiencing is an indication that your account was compromised. The hacker was able to remove the account's primary email address/security info and replace it with their own email address, which is why your account is not recognized when signing in.

Since the security info has been replaced by the hacker, I'm afraid there is no other working method to recover the Microsoft account, and Microsoft Support cannot help either.

Lastly, since you mentioned that this is a Hotmail account, please be advised that email addresses with Microsoft domains, such as Outlook, Hotmail, Live, or MSN, cannot be associated with any Microsoft account again once they have been removed or deleted. This is stated in the following article, particularly under the "Remove an email address" section:

https://support.microsoft.com/Outlook/add-or-remove-an-email-alias-in-outlook-com

Please feel free to let me know if you need anything else.

Best Regards,

Darhyl

Answer 3

If Microsoft says the Hotmail address does not exist, but the same address is also reported as already taken, the supported next steps are:

1. Verify the address carefully.
   • Check the spelling of the name and the domain, such as .com vs .co.uk.
   • If another alias or phone number was ever added to the account, try that instead.
2. Try the official sign-in recovery path.
   • Use Recover your account and enter the email address, phone number, or Skype name used to sign in.
   • If prompted, choose where to receive the security code, enter the code, and reset the password.
3. If the address is still reported as not found, use the Sign-in Helper tool.
   • This is the official path when the username is no longer recognized or when the message says the account does not exist.
4. If the account has been inactive for more than two years, it may have been deleted.
   • In that case, it can no longer be reopened.
5. If self-service recovery does not work, contact Microsoft support.
   • Support can guide the available recovery process.
   • If the account uses two-step verification and none of the alternate verification methods are accessible, support agents cannot send password reset links or change account details.

Based on the documented guidance, there is no supported self-service option to “release” or “reset” the Hotmail address outside the account recovery and support paths above.

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