Russian mnemonic keyboard layout is missing letters in Windows 8.

Question

I work as a translator and need to constantly work with both Spanish and Russian keyboards on my computer. I just purchased a new laptop with Windows 8 and I find that the russian mnemonic keyboard layout is missing 5 letters of the cyrillic alphabet. Also, when I press two specific keys, the letters do not appear, but if I press these keys twice, the letters appears suddenly twice.

I have tried installing my own customized keyboard layout from the Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator, but it does not work with Windows 8, only with older versions.

This incomplete russian keyboard is a huge impediment to my work, as I am not able to type normally and it makes it impossible to work efficiently.

I have tried to find out how to downgrade to Windows 7, but it seems that I cannot do this unless I have Windows 8 Pro, plus a Windows 7 license (which I don't because this is a new computer with Win 8 installed in it).

Could you please let me know if there is a solution? I want to return this computer and get my money back, so I can buy one with an older version on Windows. I cannot work with this one, since the product is not complete and correct. I find it very upsetting and frustrating to buy a product that is expected to be better, only to find that it is worse and does not work.

I do not have the original package, I threw it away as I did not expect this keyboard failure to happen, and now cannot return it. 

How can I return this computer? Is the fact that the keyboard layout is not complete not a reason for me to be able to get my money back for it, since the product has defficiencies?

Answer 1

Thank you so much for this chart. I have quite literally been avoiding a Russian course because I couldn't figure out how to enter the "missing" letters from the Russian alphabet using the Microsoft Russian keyboard. Now I can enter all of them. This chart has opened a broad door for my adventure into trying to learn the Russian language.

Answer 2

I've just finished reading the entire thread, which I think is very interesting at best. It would really make Microsoft look engaged if some moderator would make an intelligent comment on the questions posed here. I'm eagerly looking forward to your on topic reply!