I left a comment at https://bugs.edge.launchpad.net/hundredpapercuts/+bug/492240/comments/4. Here it is:

Ignoring for a moment whether it is even useful to expose this configuration setting somewhere in the user interface, I have to say that I do not think this belongs in the Nautilus preferences dialog just because it is Nautilus who provides the desktop view (something a lot of people aren't even aware of, so how would they know to look here?)

However, I cannot figure out where this option would fit in, though I do believe a configuration applet would be the most appropriate. If you are willing to work on this you might want to discuss this on the usability list (http://mail.gnome.org/mailman/listinfo/usability), however before doing so I would advise one to:

  1) Create a convincing use case as to why it would even be useful to have this setting exposed.
  2) Suggest a place where this setting would be exposed
  3) Possibly create a user interface mockup

The possibilites I considered were:

  * Appearances (gnome-appearance-properties) -- However, last I checked some on the GNOME team were contemplating to remove the Interface tab from the applet, so among some there is already some apprehension to put more options in here.

  * Removable Drives and Media (thunar-volman-settings) -- This is focused on providing options related to how to handle mounted media, but I don't think an interface option really belongs in there.

Thanks.

I'd also like to point out that this is possibly a duplicate of Bug #350021, both involve finding out a way to somehow expose behavior in the user interface to be be able to show and hide mounted media on the desktop.

Starting with version 3.28, nautilus will not handle the "files on desktop background" feature. For better alternatives, read this blog post https://csorianognome.wordpress.com/2017/12/21/nautilus-desktop-plans/