Quick Answer
The answer is to upload a property list (.plist) file. This is correct because macOS custom configuration profiles rely on the .plist format to define application preferences and system settings, which Intune then deploys as a payload to managed devices. For the Microsoft 365 Endpoint Administrator MD-102 exam, this question tests your understanding of platform-specific configuration methods—a common trap is confusing macOS profiles with Windows or mobile device management formats, such as JSON or XML, which are not used here. Remember that macOS uses .plist files for preference domains, while DMG is merely a disk image for distributing software, not a configuration profile. A helpful memory tip: think of “P” for plist and “P” for preference—if you’re setting a preference on a Mac, you need a .plist file.
This MD-102 practice question tests your understanding of manage and maintain devices. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
You are using Intune to manage macOS devices. You need to deploy a custom configuration profile that sets a preference for a third-party app. Which method should you use?
Upload an XML file with the preference settings.
Why wrong: macOS uses plist files, not XML directly.
Upload a DMG file containing the preferences.
Why wrong: DMG is an image format, not a configuration profile.
Upload a property list (.plist) file.
Custom macOS profiles use plist files.
Upload a JSON file with the preference settings.
Why wrong: JSON is not supported for macOS custom profiles in Intune.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Upload a property list (.plist) file.
Option C is correct because custom configuration profiles on macOS use property list (.plist) files. Option A is incorrect; XML is not directly used for macOS profiles. Option B is incorrect; JSON is used for Windows, not macOS. Option D is incorrect; DMG is a disk image format, not a configuration format.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Upload an XML file with the preference settings.
Why it's wrong here
macOS uses plist files, not XML directly.
Upload a DMG file containing the preferences.
Why it's wrong here
DMG is an image format, not a configuration profile.
Upload a property list (.plist) file.
Why this is correct
Custom macOS profiles use plist files.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Upload a JSON file with the preference settings.
Why it's wrong here
JSON is not supported for macOS custom profiles in Intune.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Identify which MD-102 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Manage and maintain devices — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Manage and maintain devices — This question tests Manage and maintain devices — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Upload a property list (.plist) file. — Option C is correct because custom configuration profiles on macOS use property list (.plist) files. Option A is incorrect; XML is not directly used for macOS profiles. Option B is incorrect; JSON is used for Windows, not macOS. Option D is incorrect; DMG is a disk image format, not a configuration format.
Identify which MD-102 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
This MD-102 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft 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 MD-102 exam.
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