I believe that the Google settings are stored in cookies.  So, if you have your browser set to delete all cookies when you close it down, you are going to be starting fresh everytime you open it up.  That means, back to their default settings which annoy you.

I think you are going to have to change your settings to preserve your cookies, or find a new search engine (Bing?).  Not what you want to hear, I know.

I was a little annoyed by the instant search feature, but I have gotten quite used to it already.. I just ignore it and wait for my results when I have completed typing.  I still have a habit ot hitting the RETURN key, though... don't really need that anymore.

Best,
Robert A. Franco
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