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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11NYT Strands game #943 for Friday, October 2, 2026, has the theme “On the sly…” Start with the graduated clues below if you want to solve it yourself; the complete word list and spangram are in a clearly marked spoiler section.
Hints for the October 2 Strands puzzle
- Theme: “On the sly…”
- Gentle clue: “Shhh, this is a secret.”
- Try these opening letters: The theme words begin with SH, CO, FU, DE and ST. The spangram begins with SN.
- In-game hint words: SKINT, FISH, NEEDS, SAVE, GOAT and NEAT.
- Spangram clue: It has 14 letters and touches the left side of the board at the fifth and eighth rows.
For the least spoilery route, first think of words for deceptive behavior and for moving or acting without being noticed. If you are stuck, try the opening-letter cues, or find non-theme words on the board to earn an in-game hint.
How Strands hints work
Strands asks you to trace adjacent letters to form theme words. The spangram describes the theme and connects two opposite sides of the board. Parade reproduces these New York Times rules: “Find theme words to fill the board.” “The spangram describes the puzzle’s theme and touches two opposite sides of the board. It may be two words.” “For every three non-theme words you find, you earn a hint.”
That built-in hint route can help preserve the solve: find three words that are not part of the theme to unlock one hint rather than jumping straight to the full answer list.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsSpoilers: October 2 Strands answers
Stop here if you do not want the full solution.
- SHIFTY
- COVERT
- DEVIOUS
- STEALTHY
- FURTIVE
Spangram: SNEAKINGAROUND
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why the answers fit
The theme words cover both sly or deceptive behavior and keeping out of sight: “shifty” and “devious” suggest dishonesty, while “covert,” “stealthy” and “furtive” describe actions done secretly or unobtrusively. SNEAKINGAROUND ties those ideas together as the puzzle’s 14-letter spangram.
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