Move large folder or files (iPhoto library) takes forever?

[RTF]

Hi there.
New to mac and OS x.
Just got me a rMBP (i7 2,3; 16GB, 256 SSD >free 75GB). Latest ML updates installed.

A few times now I've encountered that moving large folders or files take forever?
yesterday I wanted to move my iPhoto library (126GB) to another folder (on my internal SSD). I quit iPhoto (cmd-Q) and dragged the iPhoto folder to it's new location.

After looking at the 'preparing to copy pop-up' for about 20 minutes I shut down the operation.

On my old Windows laptop, moving such a large file from one location to another takes about 2 seconds. Just as long as it is on the same hard drive.

I tested it with one smaller document and that I can drag easily to another location.

I'm I doing something wrong? Is it something about how OS x works?

 

[Bear]

Are you holding down any keys when you're dragging the folder? It should be moving it and not copying it - and a move is much faster.

And are you dragging a Folder or the actual iPhoto library? If you've been trying the Folder, try the library itself instead.

 

[RTF]

I moved a folder. Now the single iPhoto library file. That was no problem!
So problem solved. but strange that I couldn't move a folder...?

 

[Bear]

I moved a folder. Now the single iPhoto library file. That was no problem!
So problem solved. but strange that I couldn't move a folder...?

The folder you tried to move may have been marked as a required system folder. In which case it might've switched to copying it instead of moving it.