How to stop a Path copy/paste from becoming a Vector Mask?

Photoshop is going to paste a path on whatever is selected, so the key is to verify what’s selected in the Layers and Paths panels before pasting. More specifically:

In the Layers panel, if a pixel layer, adjustment layer, or layer group is selected, then the path is pasted as a vector mask for that layer. Which makes sense; those layer types cannot contains paths so the only way to paste a path on them is as a vector mask.

In the Layers panel, if a shape (vector) layer is selected, the path is pasted as an additional path on that shape layer. Is this what you are trying to do?

In the Paths panel, if a saved path or Work Path is selected, the path is added to that.

In the Paths panel, if no path is selected, the path is pasted as a new Work Path, which you’ll see only if you have the Paths panel open.

Because of those last two, I find it infinitely useful to always keep both the Layers and Paths panels open when working with paths, often next to each other so I can see both at once. That way, the current selection in both panels can be checked at a glance, and easily changed if needed. And with both panels open, you can easily notice where a pasted path ends up.

I can’t remember how this worked in CS6, but it might have changed if CS6 didn’t offer the range of pasting choices we have now.

When i used Photoshop CS6, i was able to simply use Ctrl+C/V in order to copy the paths and shapes made with the pen tool, and either paste them into the same layer or a new one.

By @Rene3781788724q0

I remember that behavior too. I cannot recall the exact time, but the behavior has changed since then.

Paths are independent of layers (use the paths panel) – unless you want the path to be a layer-specific vector shape or vector mask (use the layers panel).