why is it taking so long to prepare my icloud photos so I can download them to laptop?

[iMore Question]

When I go to the icloud page which has download/upload/shareable options and press on download, it says it has over 7000 pics which is probably right but then it says it's preparing my photos which could take awhile the first time. Fine. However, it's been days, if not weeks and it still says this.

 

[anon(9602380)]

Welcome to iMore.

I would cancel the process and restart it over in small batches.