JFileChooser was designed to allow copying (through the keyboard or by dragging) of files. A bug exists such that keyboard COPY behaves like a MOVE. To reproduce: - Open a JFileChooser - Select a file or folder in the JFileChooser - Hit CTRL-C to copy the file/folder - Browse your filesystem (using Windows Explorer on Windows) - Hit CTRL-V to paste the file/folder somewhere in the file system The file/folder is pasted. Now go back and browse the folder where the file used to be and notice that it is gone. It has been MOVED instead of copied. Note: This bug was found on Windows NT SP6. It is unknown how it behaves on other platforms.