Gamertag was taken but the gamertag wasn't in use

QuietBard483656 · Feb 7, 2017

I got 2 XBOX Live account but I had to pay $9.99 to change it.

( it say the nickname is available and I didn't change it and didn't pay to change my gamertag yet )

I logout then I change to this account and trying to use that username, it said it was taken. ????

Excuse my grammar. It's like 3am here.

I went to checkgamertag and it does said it's available :/

:)

streetsweeper · Feb 7, 2017

Gamertag taken

How do you get someone's gamertag that hasn't played since xbox original and has no games, rep, avatar or gamerscore??

ClNTRoN · Feb 7, 2017

Gamertag taken

You don't, unless Microsoft is willing to delete them which I doubt will happen anytime soon though.

What's even more annoying are those Microsoft "Zune" accounts. It's people who don't even play Xbox at all but their usernames are also gamertags, so you can't use them. Microsoft tried to make it easy for those who do use both, so your names are the same, which is dumb imo.

Smwutches · Feb 7, 2017

If the system says it's taken, then it's in use somewhere on Microsoft's servers. The tag system is used on other Microsoft services, so even if it's not being used on an Xbox, it could be used elsewhere. The system also doesn't seen things like spaces as
making a gamertag unique. So while you might search "gamertag" and it says it can't find it, it could still be in use as "gamer tag".

Smwutches

If the system says it's taken, then it's in use somewhere on Microsoft's servers. The tag system is used on other Microsoft services, so even if it's not being used on an Xbox, it could be used elsewhere. The system also doesn't seen things like spaces as
making a gamertag unique. So while you might search "gamertag" and it says it can't find it, it could still be in use as "gamer tag".

Danno McK.

It's taken without the space. If you try to change to a gamertag and the system says it is taken, it is taken.

https://live.xbox.com/en-US/Profile?gamertag=XeroShotz

ngocphi

Why not.check if the gamertag is still being used

If your gamertag was reset the account would've.been deleted also

But since you did leave it for over 7 years how sure are you that it wasn't taken by someone else

Just Because you weren't active doesn't mean it was deleted in 2016

TECO Sanojj

I'm having the same problem, I'd like to change my gamertag to "Sanojj" The account has been innactive since 2008 on xbox. And besides xbox i can't seem to find any other services that specific GT is being used.

Knowitall(2)

Great answers but just thought I'd add the Official Microsoft response to this question from this link:

forums.xbox.com/.../153151.aspx

I can't change my Gamertag (GT).

Most of the time if you are seeing a message saying the GT you want is unavailable, it’s true. One thing to remember is that spaces and capitalization don’t make your GT unique. For example, “Major Nelson”, “MajorNelson”, and “MaJoRnElSoN” are all the same
GT.

GTs are also tied to services like Zune or Games for Windows LIVE. If a GT doesn't exist on Xbox, it might be in use on one of those services. If you try sending the GT you want a friend request and it says it’s not a valid GT that just means it isn’t used
on Xbox LIVE, but it could be used for Zune or GFWL.

I heard old GTs are being re-added. When will "This GT" be available?

There is no schedule or estimated dates for when certain GTs will become available again. GTs are not an on-demand service. They will be available when they are available.

Gamertag was taken but the gamertag wasn't in use