Well, it does work that way with my phone and my computers.
a) If I plug my phone in my desktop computer (after going through the process in post #26) the default is 'Transferring files / Android Auto'.
b) If I plug my phone in my other computers, the default is 'Charging phone only'.
Maybe a change of default by way of Developer Options as you mentioned is universal, but I'm positive I have never dabbled with Developer Options,
Like
@Edwin, I also work on my desktop computer with a 32" screen and copy back to my phone.