hardMultiple Choice
220-1102 Practice Question: A user on a Mac running macOS Big Sur needs to…
A user on a Mac running macOS Big Sur needs to share a folder on their local network with a Windows colleague. The user wants the folder to appear as a network drive on the Windows machine without installing additional software. Which macOS feature should they enable and configure?
⚠ Common exam trap
The 220-1202 exam often tests the misconception that Screen Sharing or Remote Login can be used for file sharing, but the trap here is that only File Sharing with SMB enabled provides the cross-platform network drive functionality required for Windows clients.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
File Sharing in System Settings > Sharing, and ensure SMB is enabled.
File Sharing in macOS Big Sur includes the ability to enable SMB (Server Message Block) sharing, which is the native file-sharing protocol used by Windows. By turning on File Sharing and checking the SMB option, the Mac acts as an SMB server, allowing the Windows colleague to map the shared folder as a network drive without any additional software.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Screen Sharing in System Settings > Sharing.
Why it's wrong here
Screen Sharing (System Settings > Sharing) enables remote desktop control of the Mac's GUI via the VNC protocol (Apple Remote Desktop / Screen Sharing). It does not expose a filesystem as a mountable network share, so a Windows user cannot map a drive to it. While files could be transferred visually by dragging between desktops, that is not the practical, protocol-based file sharing mechanism this scenario requires.
- ✓
File Sharing in System Settings > Sharing, and ensure SMB is enabled.
Why this is correct
File Sharing (System Settings > Sharing) with SMB enabled is the correct method. This pairs the built-in Samba-compatible server (smbd) with SMB 2/3, allowing Windows PCs to authenticate and mount designated Shared Folders as network drives. You must both add the folder to the Shared Folders list and check the 'On' box for Windows File Sharing to ensure SMB is actually advertised on port 445, plus set the appropriate read/write permissions for the user or group.
- ✗
Internet Sharing in System Settings > Sharing.
Why it's wrong here
Internet Sharing (System Settings > Sharing) enables the Mac to act as a NAT/router or a bridge, distributing its incoming internet connection (e.g., Ethernet) to other interfaces (e.g., Wi-Fi). It affects L3/L4 traffic, not filesystem exports. It has no bearing on providing a folder that a Windows user can browse or map as a network drive, and it is irrelevant to cross-platform file sharing.
- ✗
Remote Login in System Settings > Sharing.
Why it's wrong here
Remote Login (System Settings > Sharing) enables SSH (port 22) for command-line access to the Mac. Although a user could technically copy files via scp or sftp, that is not a browsable, graphical SMB share that a Windows PC can map as a network drive. It requires Windows-side command-line tools, lacks the folder-level sharing controls (Shared Folders list) the scenario needs, and is an entirely separate protocol from SMB.
Quick reference
Access Control Model Comparison
| Model | Acronym | Who Controls Access? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discretionary Access Control | DAC | Resource owner | Small teams, file shares |
| Mandatory Access Control | MAC | System / security labels | Classified govt / military |
| Role-Based Access Control | RBAC | Administrator (via roles) | Enterprise environments |
| Attribute-Based Access Control | ABAC | Policy engine (user + resource attributes) | Fine-grained, dynamic policies |
| Rule-Based Access Control | RuBAC | System rules / ACLs | Firewall rules, network ACLs |
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Troubleshoot: Network Issues from OS
Key term
SMB
SMB is a network file-sharing protocol that allows applications to read, write, and request services from server programs in a computer network.
Key term
Folder
A folder is a logical container used to organize and group digital files, resources, or cloud-based assets within a system or platform.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1202 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1202 exam.