Automatic layer mask application on deletion

Thank you all for answering, but I'm afraid might not have asked the questions clearly.

When I drag a mask that I don't want to continue working with to the bin, currently, PS automatically assumes I want to apply that mask to the layer and just applies it with no questions asked.

That's not what used to happen - this is a sudden change in behaviour that I did not deliberately change.

I used to get a question "Do you want to apply the mask?" to which I could reply - I think it was 'Apply' or 'delete'.

I would like to have the question, as sometimes I do and sometimes I don't and I've acceidentally gone and applied a mask I don't want to several times now.

I didn't deliberately change the settings so I'm wondering if there is any way - barr resetting all my preferences - that I can get the previous behavior including the question back.