iCloud for Windows 10 not syncing; stuck on "Initializing..."

I have been struggling with this problem for months after building my first PC. I tried everything recommended on forums and tech articles--I must have sunk 200 hours into this problem. I eventually gave up and used Box as an intermediary between my iOS devices and my PC.

BUT TONIGHT I FIXED IT.

Turns out, iCloud syncing worked correctly when I made a new account on my PC but I did not sign into a Microsoft account. Windows prompted me to sign in a dozen times, but I declined every time. And when I downloaded iCloud for Windows, it worked!

So, I'm writing this post to helps others like me out there because I haven't seen this solution posted anywhere.

If iCloud refuses to sync on Windows 10, try logging out of your Microsoft account.