The default drag&drop operation between local and remote panels should always be Copy. No option should change it. If you ever face the problem again, please let us know.

You are correct in that I am asking about local to remote and remote to local transfers. After using WinSCP for several years I found I had lost several files because the default transfer had become MOVE rather than copy. I looked through all the "Options --Preferences" and didn't see anything I recognized as helpful. In desperation, I started checking boxes.

Whether it was this act of stupidity or something else, the default is again copy. BUT, I would like to know how this can be done/undone for future problems.

Thank you for your response

Do you really mean dragging between local and remote panels of the same WinSCP window? Does it happen for local => remote or remote => local or both?

For years the default drag and drop action between commander windows has bee copy. Suddenly, it is using MOVE. How do i get copy back as default?