How to configure Outlook/ Office on MacOS through app preferences using MDM?

Description

Configuring Outlook or Office on MacOS through ManageEngine MDM involves creating a configuration profile with the necessary settings and then deploying it to the target devices.

Steps

  • On the Product Console, click on the Device Mgmt tab and navigate to Profiles.
  • Click on Create Profile and choose MacOS.
  • Click on Custom Configuration present at the bottom of the profile payloads.
  • Upload the XML file.
    Sample XML file:
  •  
    <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
    <!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
    <plist version="1.0">
    <dict>
        <key>PayloadContent</key>
        <array>
            <dict>
                <key>PayloadContent</key>
                <dict>
                    <key>com.microsoft.office</key>
                    <dict>
                        <key>Forced</key>
                        <array>
                            <dict>
                                <key>mcx_preference_settings</key>
                                <dict>
                                    <key>DisableImport</key>
                                    <true/>
                                    <key>AutomaticallyDownloadExternalContent</key>
                                    <integer>0</integer>
                                </dict>
                            </dict>
                        </array>
                    </dict>
                </dict>
                <key>PayloadIdentifier</key>
                <string>com.mdm.83c9f6e8-ef4b-4974-b83b-b2e7fe79b75c</string>
                <key>PayloadType</key>
                <string>com.apple.ManagedClient.preferences</string>
                <key>PayloadUUID</key>
                <string>83c9f6e8-ef4b-4974-b83b-b2e7fe79b75c</string>
                <key>PayloadVersion</key>
                <integer>1</integer>
            </dict>
        </array>
        <key>PayloadDisplayName</key>
        <string>Managed Preference</string>
        <key>PayloadIdentifier</key>
        <string>com.mdm.54e23577-3424-4092-a9b4-a5e5af88fd52</string>
        <key>PayloadType</key>
        <string>Configuration</string>
        <key>PayloadUUID</key>
        <string>54e23577-3424-4092-a9b4-a5e5af88fd52</string>
        <key>PayloadVersion</key>
        <integer>1</integer>
    </dict>
    </plist>
    
    

    Note: Outlook preference keys can be found here. DisableImport and AutomaticallyDownloadExternalContent are the sample keys added in the above code.

  • Click on Save.
  • Click on Publish. Now, the profile has been created successfully.
  • Assign the profile to the respective devices and monitor them.