You can disable indexing of certain file types. I would investigate that if search isn't working for you. I find it very accurate and very helpful.
I do agree about the network stack, but I'm not so sure this doesn't have to do with drivers also. My laptop (the one I constantly putz with network settings on) behaves completely different based on the driver version that I use. Each time I update it, a new issue is introduced and the old issue seems to be resolved. As far as the firewall, I think that's a better safe than sorry approach. If it didn't reset to the most stringent, the howls from the regulars in this forum would be loud indeed.