Does the ESS4 firewall shut off during startup?

I have recently noticed that when I first startup my computer, and eset begins to check for AV downloads and does the startup scan, that the Personal Firewall and the green checkmark is not present on the PROTECTION STATUS screen.

But after the download is competed and the AV popup shows up, indicating the new AV download is complete, that the Personal Firewall and the green checkmark shows up on the PROTECTION STATUS screen, and then it shows "Maximum Protection".

Am I safe when the Personal Firewall indicator is not present during the download phase?

 

ESS starts protecting your system from very early in the windows boot phase. In the situation you've described, at no time does ESS stop network filtering or lower any of its protections.