I no longer use Reaper but I seem to remember there is a setting in Reaper where the program will either save all project audio files in one folder or can use audio files outside the project folder.

If you enable save all audio files in one folder I believe drag and drop tracks works directly; in other words without an intermediary folder. However, if you select to use audio files that are outside the project folder the program expects you to monitor the folders outside the project and manage the audio files contained in the outside folders.

Jim Fogle - 2025 BiaB (Build 1128) RB (Build 5) - Ultra+ PAK
DAWs: Cakewalk by BandLab (CbB) - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8
Laptop: i3 Win 10, 8GB ram 500GB HDD
Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD
Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home