Embodiments are directed towards providing fast setup of a storage device communicatively coupled to a television receiver. During initial setup of the storage device, an initial portion of the storage device is partitioned to provide accessibility for the television receiver to store content. However, the initial partition is only a subset of the maximum storage capacity of the storage device, which results in a second remainder portion of the storage device that is inaccessible for the television receiver to store audiovisual content. In response to a triggering event, the television receiver initiates a full partition process to partition the remainder of the storage device that was previously inaccessible for storing content. Once partitioned, the television receiver can then utilize the remainder portion of the storage device for storing long-term recorded content. The television receiver also converts the initial partition into a buffer that is used to temporarily store content.