title: Python copy larger file too slow
body: <p>I am trying to copy a large file (> 1 GB) from hard disk to usb drive using <code>shutil.copy</code>. A simple script depicting what I am trying to do is:-</p>
  
  <pre><code>import shutil
  src_file = "source\to\large\file"
  dest = "destination\directory"
  shutil.copy(src_file, dest)
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>It takes only 2-3 min on linux. But the same file copy on same file takes more that 10-15 min under Windows. Can somebody explain why and give some solution, preferably using python code?</p>
  
  <p><strong>Update 1</strong>  </p>
  
  <p>Saved the file as test.pySource file size is 1 GB. Destinantion directory is in USB drive. Calculated file copy time with ptime. Result is here:-</p>
  
  <pre><code>ptime.exe test.py
  
  ptime 1.0 for Win32, Freeware - http://www.
  Copyright(C) 2002, Jem Berkes &lt;jberkes@pc-t
  
  ===  test.py ===
  
  Execution time: 542.479 s
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>542.479 s == 9 min. I don't think <code>shutil.copy</code> should take 9 min for copying 1 GB file.</p>
  
  <p><strong>Update 2</strong>  </p>
  
  <p>Health of the USB is good as same script works well under Linux. Calculated time with same file under windows native xcopy.Here is the result. </p>
  
  <pre><code>ptime 1.0 for Win32, Freeware - http://www.pc-tools.net/
  Copyright(C) 2002, Jem Berkes &lt;jberkes@pc-tools.net&gt;
  
  ===  xcopy F:\test.iso L:\usb\test.iso
  1 File(s) copied
  
  Execution time: 128.144 s
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>128.144 s == 2.13 min. I have 1.7 GB free space even after copying test file.</p>