Changing Default setting?

Hi.
How do I change the default setting in windows internet exploer. I believe its IE5. Anyway it came with win-2000 O.S.
1)The default setting in the explorer-tools-internet options is set to MSN. My question is: Where do I go to change it so it reads something else.(I know how to change my default home web directory….The 3 buttons are use current–use default–use blank.
2)How do I tell what verstion of IE I have. Can I type it in the command prompt to get a listing?
Thats it………..Thanks……..Pat