iCloud for Window 10 refusing to sync to my file explorer

Hello.

About a month ago I had an issue with iCloud for Windows where I attempted to sync files via my file explorer. They would be pending indefinitely and would refuse to show up on web or other devices. Attempting to move a file already synced to cloud had the same results.

I had "Freed up space" beforehand effectively deleting a good number of these files since they never synced, but not the ones I moved. I retrieved the surviving files back onto my computer to prevent more damage. I solved this by signing out of iCloud for Windows and singing in again, and it took about a day to sync the files back. During this process I saw a handful of files "Sync" up on File Explorer.

A few days ago I had the exact same issue. I attempted the following.

• Turned off Sync for Drive, then turned it on again. This resulted in my files disappearing from my computer (Normal) but none of them returned. Or even began to return.
• Signed out and in again. No fix
• Deleted and redownloaded iCloud for Windows. Left computer on overnight and disabled sleep mode. No fix.
• Went to task manager to turn off iCloud processes, then reset the app via settings. Signed in again. No fix
• At the suggestion of Apple support, turned off anti-virus for about 10 minutes, then turned it back on because it did nothing and sounds like stupid, risky advice.

Right now I tried to include "iCloud.Exe" and other things excluded from my anti-virus scans. Other things too, but I can't f-ing check because my computer won't let me f-ing check, it and my iCloud Drive are deciding to manufacture meaningless and preventable problems just so they can whine about having f-ing problems

Right now my iCloud Drive is still in my file explorer but it says "This folder is empty". The status nub says "Initializing"

I need to use file explorer because when I attempt to send the photos directly to iCloud Photos (Via web) or iCloud Drive (via web) it loses properties and attributes that I need to remain in these photos. Especially the photos, which I transfer to iCloud Photos via drag and drop.

It prioritizes "Date modified" and the timestamp in which I sent them to cloud over "Date created" or "Date taken" and I need to have this contained in my photos for proper sorting. The only way this gets preserved is when I drag from my file explorer to iCloud Drive for windows, directly in the file explorer.

And don't tell me it's "Always been bad" I have beeen using it perfectly fine without issue for 2 years