Apps can't see files on desktop

So, this started about two or three weeks ago, but I haven't really had time to check into it. It's very annoying.

Apps (all that I have tried recently) don't see files I have on the desktop, if I need to browse to them.

Example: I scan a sheet and save as a .pdf (or .jpg, or .tif, or whatever else) to the desktop. Then I try to attach it to an email. I browse for the attachment from within the email (Windows 10 Mail or an online webmail) and the desktop is empty in the explorer window. However, if I minimize everything, all my icons, including the file I'm looking for are present. I have double checked in the explorer window that I am looking for all files, or a particular type of file. It doesn't matter.

From the desktop itself, I can click on this .pdf file and it will open in Adobe Acrobat Reader. However, if I open Adobe Acrobat Reader and attempt to browse to the file to open it, the desktop is empty.

The same happens in Adobe Lightroom, when I want to import an image file that is located on the desktop.

It also happens when I am browsing for a file to upload to Dropbox, Box, or various other places for work or home.

This happens on all networks and it happens whether or not Windows Defender or my antivirus is active or not.

However, if these files are located elsewhere (Documents, or C:, or D:, for instance) everything works as it should, without a problem.

Any ideas where to start?

ASUS G750JX
Windows 10
32GB RAM
256GB SSD
2TB HDD
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770M 3GB

Let me know if more info is needed. Thanks, for any help!

Hi, a wild guess.. is it anything to do with the two locations of desktop (public and user):
C:\Users\Public\Desktop
&
C:\Users\<user id>\Desktop
?

Everything on my Desktop is in the latter.

Otherwise try checking permissions on the latter.
System, Administrators and you should have full access.