Downloaded files don't appear on desktop

I just started experiencing an odd problem and when I went searching, I found the topic in the archives, unanswered - so I thought I would try again.
For the last few days, everything I download to the desktop - doesn't appear on my desktop. When I search in my downloads folder, I find all of the files, but they don't physically show up unless I relaunch the finder - which is frustrating and annoying.
Does anyone know what causes this? The posts relating to this problem go back quite a way, so it can't be an update issue and I haven't changed any settings or loaded any new software recently.
Any thoughts?

Thanks for clarifying. Are you saying that there's a folder named downloads on your Desktop that you're not seeing getting filled with the downloads or is the Desktop your downloads folder? In any case, you're describing a Finder hangup that's been around for quite awhile, but yours is extremely rare in that only relaunching the Finder gets it to update properly. Create a new admin user account, log into it, set up your browser to download to the Desktop, download some things, and see if the problem persists. Report back.

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Message was edited by: Rachel R

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The preferences of Safari have a place where you can direct downloads to from the Safari menu -> Preferences.
Mail, when you open a message that has an attachment, has beneath the header information but above the body a Save As button, which if depressed lets you direct the location of your downloads.
P.S. Please remember to avoid using all uppercase. Most people who have been on the internet long enough will think you are attempting to be rude and shout your question.

Downloaded files don't appear on desktop

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