It has now been 21 months since I closed the account and I checked this week to see if the account has been deleted.  To my surprise, I was actually able to log in to the account, albeit with restricted functionality.  Seeing how the account was never actually deleted, I have now decided I want this account back.  However, because it has been approx. 21 months since I have signed into this account, I am now prompted to verify my identity to prove I am the owner of the account.  It asks me for my security question and my year of birth, both of which I had changed to some random value prior to closing the account some 21 months before.  Of course, 21 months later and I cannot remember the answer, if any, that I changed the security question to nor can I remember the random value I used for the year of birth.

I was then prompted to start the recovery process by filling out a questionnaire form that might help Microsoft Support identify me as the owner of the account.  I had to answer questions about my personal information, folders that I created, email addresses/people that I have received email from or sent email to recently, the subject of emails that I have received or sent recently, and XBox membership information.  As I said before, when closing the account 21 months before, I deleted all my emails, deleted all my contacts, and deleted all folders that I created.  So there are no emails, contacts, or folders for which Microsoft can compare an answer to.  There is no actual name on the account to compare an answer to.  Furthermore, I have never had an XBox membership.  So, I tried providing some of the information that I remember using before I closed the account some 21 months before.  I provided the names of some of the folders that I created and some of the people's email addresses that I received email from and sent email to.  I submitted the account recovery request and I received a reply from Microsoft Support stating, "Unfortunately, we were unable to verify your ownership of this account using the information you provided."

I have the account recovery request number if Microsoft Support should need it to investigate further.  Seeing how this account was never actually closed like it should have been, I have now decided I want it back and I would appreciate Microsoft Support in assisting me in recovering this old account.  Consequently, I had to create a new Microsoft account just so i could post this question.  Thank you.