I was thinking of enabling the desktop to show apps and files, but then it occurred to me, is there a reason that they are not enabled by default? Is it, for example, a security risk?
Assuming you’re on GNOME, this is a UI decision GNOME took a long time ago, and matches their design principles.
My personal perspective is that as the desktop is covered with my app windows most of the time I could not click on icons on the desktop. For me it’s not useful.
I understand where you’re coming from. Though I initially found the lack of desktop icons annoying, I got used to avoiding the desktop find that I use my laptop more efficiently now as a result. But there are two cases where I find accessing my files without having to open Nautilus first useful. One is when I connect a USB stick or phone: it’s handy to have the icon appear on the desktop, where I can grab the files I need and then unmount. Then there is when I first boot up: I can get directly to what I need to work on without opening Nautilus.