@bunny007 wrote:
If I download folders and files from my main computer A to drop box it not only downloads them to drop box but it also writes the files to my c drives on computers B and C ...
That's the main purpose of Dropbox; to sync files from one computer to your account online, and to any other computer where you've installed the Dropbox application. The Dropbox folder on all of your computers is just a regular folder like any other. It exists on your local drive, taking up space. Anything you place in the folder exists on your local drive, as well as in your account online. If you install Dropbox on other computers, the files in your account will sync down to the Dropbox folder on those computers as well. Make a change to a file within the Dropbox folder on any computer, and it syncs to all of your other computers.
Any advise would be appreciated but please don't advise using smart sync which isn't available on my 2 terabyte plan ...
Smart Sync should be available to you as it's available on any paid plan. Smart Sync is used to mark files and folders as Online-only so they appear on your computer without taking up space. When you try to use such a file, it's downloaded back to your computer for you.
Another option is Selective Sync, which is used to remove the local copy of a folder from your computer. Go into Selective Sync settings and uncheck a folder, and it's removed from your local drive but will remain in your account online. Just make sure your files are fully synced and Dropbox shows "Up-to-date" before you uncheck any folders.
