How can I get my downloads to go to desktop?

Every download I do on my Mac has always gone to my desktop. I could see it,
and I could put it wherever I wanted.
Since my last system update (to 10.5.8), this has just stopped. Now sometimes they go to a folder titled "download", or they just go into a place I didn't determine. I have to look in finder to locate them.
It's totally screwing me up, and resulting in duplicates all over the place, using up my memory. Especially with music files.
Can anyone tell me how to make all of my downloads go to desktop again like they did before?

Please let me know.....

Which browser are you using? You really need to provide us with some info about your machine and also whatever other information that can help us help you - otherwise we're stabbing around in the dark.

Assuming you're using Safari: Safari Preferences -> General. Save downloaded files to: Click the down arrow, select other, select your desktop.

Regards.

OMG I can't believe it was that simple........ It didn't dawn on me that it was in browser preferences. I thought it would be in system prefs....

Thank you so much for the quick assistance!!!!!!!

If you want to make more changes Secrets is a good look;
Download Secrets for Mac - Customize many hidden or incomplete Mac OS X settings. MacUpdate Mac Software Downloads