How to delete user Downloads folder
First of all, you need to change the default location for downloads to your Desktop folder, if that's what you want.
In Safari &gt; Preferences &gt; General, there's a setting for the downloads location. This sets the preference for all applications, not just Safari.
If you don't do this, then any app that wants to save a file there will likely recreate the folder in the process of saving.
As of Catalina, the Downloads folder has a com.apple.macl extended attribute, which is protected by SIP. You may therefore need to disable System Integrity Protection before deleting this folder.
How do I disable System Integrity Protection (SIP) AKA &quot;rootless&quot; on macOs [OS X]
Don't forget to enable it afterwards, otherwise, you'll be 'leaving the front door open'.
Apple has hardwired some folders to ensure that they will always be present. It's possible that the folder might even get recreated. The alternative is just to hide it from view in the Finder.
Sometimes, MacOS can be inflexible about the way things are done, and it's often easiest to reprogram the more flexible computer on the other side of the keyboard. ;-)