Gamertag availability

Even with that search option, the best way to find out if a gamertag is available is by trying to change yours to it. The search option will not show you gamertags that are used on other Microsoft services and if you were to search for "Gamertag" it may
not show it even though "Gamer tag" is in use. The system doesn't see the spaces as being different gamertags.

Not the answer I wanted to hear but it definitely helps!

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I'm very picky with names like this--specific criteria and all--and it took me forever just to come up with the name I wanted. I've already partially integrated this name so I'd either have to deal with my names being varied and not streamlined or start
that process all over and lose info., etc. for established accounts.

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I heard that they occasionally purge inactive tags and make them available for the public to use. Do you know how often they do this? Is it worth waiting to see if the tag I want becomes available?

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@davemcfly85 - I know those services are largely inaccurate but the point I wanted to make was that all indicators said the tag was not in use and was available, even those directly from Xbox LIVE. (I didn't realize that other Microsoft services use tags
from the same pool.)

I Have the same problem as you have I Want so bad that gamertag....I will wait some days to see if something changes I hope I get that gamer tag

Gamertags are not used solely for Xbox accounts. They are also used for Zune and Games for Windows. Since they are not an on-demand service there is no purging timeframe for inactive gamertags. All you can do is keep checking the availability periodically.
Hope this helps!

Well i was told to contact the forums about my situation because the gamertag is being reserved by someone that isnt paying for it.

That's not an official website if you read the details below it says right on the page cohesive networks

The only official way to check for a name is to change your names.and if it accepts or not

Searching for a name like swmutches mentioned only checks for that one combination not included spaces or case

Which xbox doesn't differenitiates