The problem I ran into, back when Transform was introduced, apparently got fixed along the way. Since I had given up on it, I just changed my workflow and never revisited the function. I got into the habit of not copying the transform setting.
No, I sometimes don't want it recomputed. Initially, there was no option. Copying (e.g.) the "auto" setting was (originally) akin to clicking the auto button on the target image. At least to the best of my recollection.
The current behavior (crop constraints aside) are what I have always expected should (be a choice to make) happen: copy the end result of the transform to the new image. So, problem solved (for me). Apologies for the bother.
"Will this ever work? Every day I have to go through every photo for every room that I shoot and click update... that's thousands of clicks per week."
What are the precise steps you're taking? Can you post screenshots before and after showing it not working the way you expect?
My tests of LR 10.2 show that Copy Settings and Sync Settings correctly copy the Transform Upright Mode (Auto, Guided, Level, Vertical), provided the source and destination photos don't have any prior crop angle applied via the Crop tool. Auto Sync doesn't work, regardless of whether crop angle had been applied.
Precise steps:
1. Select all the photos.
2. Edit the first photo in Develop.
3. Do Transform > Auto.
4. Click Sync.
5. Click Check None, then Upright Mode, then Synchronize:
I'd like to add that I'm seeing a behavior which I'm not sure has been mentioned in this thread (forgive me if I missed it).
I'm copying Crop and Transform settings from one Raw file and pasting them on a file that is an HDR of that same Raw file and an additional Raw file. The values for horizontal an vertical adjusted get "switched" and inverted. See screenshots.
Copy:
These are the transform values that I copy:
This is what is pasted:
These images are all shot on tripod in near automatic fashion, so the image content varies mainly in exposure.