# Executing an investigation with Finder (classic)

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Nexthink Finder is a Windows-only desktop application whose functionality is now available within the Nexthink web interface. Nexthink can now be used directly from a browser and most functions no longer require an additional desktop application.
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The basic unit to query the Nexthink database is the investigation. To execute an investigation in Finder:

1. Find the investigation that you want to execute by either:
   * Browsing the **Investigations** section on the left-hand side panel of the main window.
   * Searching a term in the search box and looking under the **Investigations** or the **Suggested investigations** sections in the results of the search.
2. Double-click the name of the investigation.
3. The results of the investigation are displayed as a table on a new tab in Finder.

## Running a metric as an investigation <a href="#executinganinvestigationwithfinder-classic-runningametricasaninvestigation" id="executinganinvestigationwithfinder-classic-runningametricasaninvestigation"></a>

Besides investigations, metrics also express queries in their definitions. For testing the definition of a metric, it is useful to execute it as an investigation and check out the results. To run the query defined in a metric as a [quick investigation](https://docs.nexthink.com/platform/~/changes/Sh4xqs4GDClkDKT9Hvux/user-guide/investigations/creating-an-investigation-with-finder-classic):

1. Find the metric that you want to execute as an investigation by either:
   * Browsing the **Metrics** section on the left-hand side panel (the accordion) of the main window.
   * Searching a term in the search box and looking under the **Metrics** section on the right side of the search results.
2. Right-click the name of the metric.
3. Select **Run as investigation** from the context menu.

The generated quick investigation shares the conditions specified for the metric, ignoring the settings for the computation of a ratio and the thresholds, when defined. The time frame of the investigation generated for a metric is the current day.