A Microsoft app for iOS and Android devices that enables authentication with two-factor verification, phone sign-in, and code generation
If the Microsoft account and its email alias were changed and the original account was then deleted or is no longer recognized, restoration depends on what exactly happened and when.
- Check whether the Microsoft account still exists
- If sign-in with the original email shows errors like “We couldn't find an account with that username” or “account doesn't exist,” use the official Sign-in Helper tool to confirm status and see available recovery options: Sign-in Helper tool.
- If the account has not been signed into for more than two years, it may have been permanently deleted and cannot be restored.
- If the account was closed recently
- When a Microsoft account is closed by the owner, there is a 30- or 60-day grace period where it can be reopened.
- To reopen it during that period:
- Go to https://account.microsoft.com and try to sign in with the affected account.
- If sign-in works, a security code will be sent to the configured security info. After entering the code, the account is reopened and previous subscriptions, profiles, and content become available again.
- After the grace period, the account is permanently deleted and cannot be restored.
- If the account was hacked and security info changed
- For hacked or compromised accounts, the only supported path is the official recovery and hacked-account guidance. If the attacker has replaced all security information and the recovery form fails, there is no alternative method for Microsoft Support to restore access to that Microsoft account.
- If the account “does not exist” or is permanently deleted
- A Microsoft account that has been permanently deleted (for example, inactivity over 2 years or after the closure grace period) cannot be restored, even by Microsoft Support.
- The email address from a Microsoft domain (like @hotmail.com, @outlook.com, etc.) that was removed as an alias also cannot be reused or reattached to any Microsoft account.
- Minecraft and other purchases
- If the Microsoft account cannot be recovered, the Minecraft licenses and Microsoft Store purchases tied to that account cannot be moved by Microsoft. For Minecraft specifically, separate Minecraft support may be able to advise on options for the game account, but that is outside what Microsoft account recovery can do.
- If identity theft or online fraud is involved
- In parallel, treat this as identity theft/online fraud:
- File a police report and keep a copy.
- Contact banks/financial institutions if any payment methods were used.
- Consider placing a fraud alert with a credit bureau (where applicable).
- Report suspicious or fraudulent incidents to the relevant service providers.
In summary: if the Microsoft account is still within the closure grace period, sign in at https://account.microsoft.com and complete security verification to reopen it. If the account is reported as non-existent or has been permanently deleted, or if recovery fails after following the official recovery/hacked-account process, it cannot be restored.
References:
- I can't sign in to my Microsoft account
- Reopen your Microsoft account
- Help with the Microsoft account recovery form
- Hello , welcome to Account help & learning
- Protecting yourself from identity theft online
- Deleted hotmail email address from account - can I get it back? - Microsoft Q&A
- Cannot Access Microsoft Account After Hacker Changed Email, Advice Needed - Microsoft Q&A
- Attempting to access old email - Microsoft Q&A
- Entraron a mi cuenta de microsoft y cambiaron el gmail y contraseña - Microsoft Q&A