Microsoft is close to be releasing the release candidate of its new IE9 web browser. A Russian website has posted the first screenshots of the browser and gives us a first glimpse how the final version of the browser will look like when it is released.

The recent rumors that the RC will be offered for download beginning on January 28 are gaining more credibility as screenshots of a IE9 release candidate have showed up on a Russian website. Lately, it appears that Russia appears to be the place to be to get a hand on leaked Microsoft products as Microsoft Russia has difficulties to keep confidential information to itself.

While we know that IE9 RC is, in fact, in testing with Microsoft closest partners, we know that Microsoft has cracked down quite a bit on leaking information and its partners are not as willing to release some juicy information as they were a few years ago and especially when Windows 7 was under development. However, we were told by our sources that the screenshots are authentic and that there have been no changes to the release schedule of IE9 RC.

It needs an eagle-eyed user to spot the differences between IE9 RC and IE9 Beta. The browser tabs have been slightly changed and seem to have received a stronger representation with square shapes that have lost their rounded soft corners. Winreview.ru also noted that Microsoft is working on an ActiveX filter feature for IE9.

We are somewhat surprised that Microsoft has toned down the technical as well as marketing-focused communication that has been supporting IE9, with the exception of the silly explanations and slant of market share figures released by Net Applications. This is the critical phase to improve the adoption and prepare users to upgrade to IE9 and Microsoft’s communication apparently has drowned. Strange.

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