Managing personal Outlook.com account settings, security, and privacy
Because the former email now returns “account doesn’t exist,” escalate it as a username that stopped working through Microsoft Support; recovering the original Microsoft account is the supported way to restore its Minecraft license without buying the game again.
Escalate the changed username
Since recovery using the old email has already failed, do not keep repeating that same sign-in attempt.
- Open Microsoft’s hacked-account guidance and launch its Sign-in Helper. It can provide applicable self-service steps or offer contact with an agent. ^1^
- Report the issue specifically as:
- My username has stopped working
- The previous sign-in address says “account doesn’t exist”
- An attacker changed the primary email, password, and security information
- The account owned the Minecraft profile named smytey
- If the helper cannot locate the username, select its support/contact option. Microsoft specifically directs users who still see “We couldn’t find an account with that username” to contact support and state that the username stopped working. ^2^
- If no contact option appears, use Contact Microsoft Support, enter compromised Microsoft account—former username no longer recognized, select Get Help, and then Contact Support. ^3^
Prepare ownership evidence before contacting support:
- Previous email addresses and passwords
- Approximate account-creation and compromise dates
- Minecraft purchase receipt, order number, or billing information
- Xbox console hardware ID, if the account was used on Xbox
- Gamertag/Minecraft profile name
- Devices and usual location previously used to sign in
Support cannot simply send a password-reset link or manually change protected account details, so recovery still depends on Microsoft being able to verify ownership. ^4^
Minecraft ownership
The Minecraft entitlement is stored on the compromised Microsoft account. If Microsoft restores that account, its Minecraft access should return; Minecraft’s guidance is to recover the Microsoft account rather than repurchase the game. The official guidance does not provide a way to transfer that license to a new Microsoft account. ^5^
If Microsoft determines that the original account cannot be verified or recovered, there is no documented free license-transfer workaround. Minecraft Support may review purchase-specific options, but it cannot be assumed that the username or license can be moved.
Secure the remaining accounts now
- Remove the email address from this public post; an email address is personal information even if shared voluntarily.
- Change the password on the email account used for recovery and enable two-factor authentication.
- Sign out unknown sessions and review recovery addresses, forwarding rules, and connected applications.
- Run a full malware scan before changing additional passwords, particularly if credentials were entered into an unknown page or downloaded program. Microsoft recommends scanning first so newly changed credentials are not stolen again. ^1^
References
- How to recover a hacked or compromised Microsoft account | Microsoft Support
- My username and password have stopped working | Microsoft Support
- How to help keep your Microsoft account secure | Microsoft Support
- Help with the Microsoft account recovery form | Microsoft Support
- Troubleshooting Locked, Compromised or Stolen Microsoft Accounts