Clean Desktop and Downloads

Your Desktop and your Downloads folder should in general be empty, except for files you're currently working on (desktop) or currently downloading.

Think of these special folders as akin to your bedroom floor. Desktop metaphor: You take out your toys and play with them, then you put your toys away: the floor is clean again. Downloads metaphor: Someone gives you a gift, you unwrap the gift, say thanks, admire it, then you put it where it belongs, then you throw out the packaging and the wrapper: the floor is clean again.

That way, when you get a NEW file, it's easy to locate, it's the only new file.

If your downloads or desktop folder is full of old stuff, you might consider deleting it, or putting the files away, as these locations are not meant to be permanent storage locations.