Request a Gamertag Deletion?

Unfortunately, though XBL accounts can lay dormant for years, very rarely are they deleted.  Back in March 2011, Major Nelson blogged stating that Xbox was going to begin reviving dead gamertags but the process will take a very long time.

The user that owns the account is able to cancel their XBL Gold status and change their gamertag through the Account Settings on either the Xbox website or on their console, however the old gamertag will still remain "dead" for a lengthy period of time before another user can pick it up.

Assuming you're interested in taking that fancy gamertag for yourself [see what I did there?], try sending the user a message.  Perhaps, if they still check their account, they'll change their gamertag which will open that one up for you in time.  Again, remember that dead gamertags can sit in limbo for a long time before someone else can use it.  None of us can guarantee when it will be available.

If you'd like to read Majors blog on the subject, this is what was said;

"Starting today, we have begun the process of making previously used and unavailable (dead) Xbox LIVE Gamertags available. This process will take some time to complete, and no we can’t tell you when the Gamertag you want might be available. If you are interested, you should check back regularly as we are reviving Gamertags daily.

Changing your Gamertag does not affect your Gamerscore, Achievements, or your friends list."

So your saying it can take a lengthy period of time correct? I actually have a friend that had an old gamertag named "Chimama" and that tag has been deleted from what I noticed:

live.xbox.com/.../Profile

[quote]

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. 

[/quote]http://forums.xbox.com/xbox_forums/xbox_support/f/12/t/153151.aspx

Oh for sure!  A single gamertag can be existence forever, just lay "dead" for a long time because either the user doesn't use it, or the tag has been changed to something else.  These tags tend to float in limbo for awhile, generally anywhere between 6 months to a year so I've noticed.  After that year or so, they're usually eligible to be picked up by anyone!

I noticed it's been quite some time for that Fancy gamertag user to be online, so hopefully the tag will be reset so that you can use it!

I used the gamertag KarateKurt for for some years ago, and changed ir to another name, but after a few months i changed my mind and wanted KarateKurt back, but  a Danish guy took it before me, and what ive seen he has only played a little on 2 games and has a gamescore at 15, and he has done nothing on that account for at least 2 years now.  

It´s wery frustrating cos i want my KarateKurt gamertag back, but its noot possible as long it is dead, and i have no possibilty to reach the account owner cos i dont know what mail he uses.

Will All Gamertags eventually be Freed up?  I wanted the Gamertag #Zoey# as its my name :) but its dead I think.. (Someone look at it and vertify this for me) I dunno how long it been like this. It has no score but has couple friends, all are dead but two. I texted one asking if he knew if the person still plays or how long it been dead. But the person not been on yet to reply. Hopefully they will.

Please create a new thread describing your issue as this one is from 2011