Hello @wwalsh1204.
If you are not using any syncing features then the Dropbox desktop application will download the files locally. This is what the desktop app is designed to do. Read more about the Dropbox desktop app, here.
Use Selective Sync. This way your files and folder will not even show on your desktop.

Feel free to ask more questions.
Happy Monday!
Fiona
Community Moderator @ Dropbox
dropbox.com/support
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