changing the name of a file/program download

Over time in my "downloaded Programs" folder, I can't remember what some of the stuff like afc3894.exe is (File name is just an example). I downloaded a program and renamed it. When I ran it, it got to the point of starting the install and disappeared. It was not installed.

I tried it again and left the name just the way it was (no similarity to the program name) and it worked fine.

When I download a program, why can't I name it a different name then what it's given? Thank you,
Chris.

 

Another option is to create a folder with the program's name and keep the file in the folder (you can also use subfolders to keep version numbers straight if they're not included in the file name). I have downloads archived from a few years ago and this helps me keep track of what's what.

B