About that leaked Windows 7 feature-request list...

Don't get too excited about the list of Windows 7 feedback that select community members provided to Microsoft -- a ranked list of which ran on Neowin.net this past weekend.

As ArsTechnica noted (repeatedly, to its credit) in its coverage, the list will have little -- and more likely absolutely no -- bearing on what Microsoft ends up incorporating into Windows 7.

Microsoft collected feedback in December 2006 from invited participants regarding features and functionality they'd like to see the company include in future Windows releases. In July 2007, some of that feedback leaked to the Web. This past weekend, Neowin.Net posted what they said was a list from the team in charge of Microsoft's Early Feedback Program of "(what they consider to be) the top 61 suggestions to be presented to the development team of Windows 7."

On the Windows 7 request list: Everything from new entertainment packages to be delivered as "Ultimate Extras," to saving desktop icon arrangements, to more "Notify Only" options in Automatic Updates.

While the list is interesting, in terms highlighting what users want in future Windows releases, it's somewhat disturbing that this feedback seemingly will have little or no impact on what Microsoft's planning to build. ArsTechnica quotes "anonymous sources at Microsoft" who say that the itemized list " bear(s) no relationship to the actual feature set Microsoft is currently writing for Windows 7."

From other feedback, it sounds as if Microsoft's already well on its way to planning and coding Windows 7, even though it isn't slated to hit until 2010.