Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 9 Release Candidate (RC) has just gone live. Internet Explorer 9 (IE9) RC version is now available for download from Microsoft’s website. It is available for both Windows 7 and Vista users. The release candidate includes much improved tab functionality, from the new square-ish visual elements, and moveable tab bar elements to increase customization. It also includes features that enable a user to refuse tracking from advertisers.

Whats New !

Interface Updates – The stop, refresh, and go/search buttons are no longer shown as buttons but rather just icons on the address bar.
Tracking Protection –  This will allow users to opt out of tracking done for behavioral advertising. IE9 has a very interesting way of doing this.

To activate this feature, click the Tools icon > Safety > Tracking Protection. Select Your Personalized List, which should be the only option available, and hit Settings.

ActiveX Filtering – This allows for better security by preventing any ActiveX controls (plugins) from running unless you specifically allow a certain site. When you visit a website that requires an ActiveX control such as Flash, it will perform as if the ActiveX control is n’t even installed.

Multiple Pinned Sites in One – IE9 introduced a new type of application shortcut called Pinned Sites for Windows 7. This opens a themed window with the specific pinned site being the home page of that window.

Here are the Internet Explorer 9 RC download links for Windows 7 and Windows Vista

Internet Explorer 9 RC for Windows 7

Internet Explorer 9 32-bit offline Installer [link]

Internet Explorer 9 64-bit offline Installer [link]

Internet Explorer 9 RC for Windows Vista

Internet Explorer 9 32-bit offline Installer [link]

Internet Explorer 9 64-bit offline Installer [link]