Will some gamertags become available this month on August 31st?

Hello, My name is Jesse. I'm an Independent Advisor and a member of the Microsoft community and I'd love to assist you today.

Yes, it is 2 years now, but the gamertag has to be inactive across all Microsoft services for it to become available. It isn't just for gaming. If the gamertag hasn't signed into any Microsoft service for 2 years, then it'll become available.

Wait, so they maybe releasing gamer tags on the 31st of august? Because i heard it was on the 30th and that the earliest gamer tags will be released was on that day.

So, this is my understanding and may be correct or otherwise:

In 2016, MS changed it so, if you don't log in to Xbox Live at least once in 5 years, then your gamertag would be released. 5 years from that change is this month so some gamertags will be released (though whether they appear as available straightaway is another matter)

In 2019, Microsoft changed the activity agreement for global Microsft account usage, not just Xbox Live...so you have to log into your Microsoft account within 2 years else it will be closed.

However, you can log in to your Microsoft account without logging in to Xbox Live (Office products as an example) so both can be true...you can log in to your Microsoft account but still lose your gamer tag

Both the 5 year & 2 year rules came into effect on the 31st Aug so yeah,31stAug 2021 (tomorrow) is when some tags may become available. Couldn't tell you a specific time though.

Yeah,both apply but it only means some unused gamertags MAY be made available,it isn't guaranteed for example the tag may not of signed in for 5 years but have something like £1 or $1 in the account balance then it may not be freed up.