Renaming email attachments after saving them is simply changing the filename stored on your computer. This involves locating the downloaded file in your folders (like Downloads or Documents), right-clicking it, and using the "Rename" function to give it a more descriptive or relevant name. It's distinct from changing the file name within the email itself, which typically isn't possible; renaming occurs after you've saved the file to your device.

For instance, after saving a poorly named file like Scan_001.pdf sent by a colleague, you might rename it to Smith_Contract_20240515.pdf for clarity in your records. Similarly, an exported report named export_data.csv might be renamed to Q2_Sales_Report_RegionA.csv before sharing it internally for better context upon opening.

The primary advantage is vastly improved organization and findability on your local system. A key limitation is ensuring you don't accidentally change the file extension (e.g., changing .pdf to .docx), which typically makes the file unopenable by the correct application and is a common user error. There are no significant ethical concerns, but consistent renaming practices significantly boost personal workflow efficiency.