diff --git a/src/ansys/dpf/core/server_context.py b/src/ansys/dpf/core/server_context.py
index 16c115a558..fd787ba598 100644
--- a/src/ansys/dpf/core/server_context.py
+++ b/src/ansys/dpf/core/server_context.py
@@ -35,6 +35,8 @@
 ANSYS_DPF_SERVER_CONTEXT=ENTRY and ANSYS_DPF_SERVER_CONTEXT=PREMIUM can be used.
 """
 
+from __future__ import annotations
+
 from enum import Enum
 import os
 import warnings
@@ -264,6 +266,29 @@ def xml_path(self):
         """
         return self._xml_path
 
+    @xml_path.setter
+    def xml_path(self, xml_path: str | os.PathLike):
+        r"""Set the path to the xml file defining default plugins to load at server start.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        xml_path:
+            Path to the XML file to use at server start. Useful to target a custom XML file.
+
+        Examples
+        --------
+        Create a ServerContext targeting a custom XML file.
+
+        >>> import ansys.dpf.core as dpf
+        >>> # Create a custom server context
+        >>> custom_server_context = dpf.AvailableServerContexts.no_context
+        >>> # Set the XML path
+        >>> custom_server_context.xml_path = r'\path\to\file'
+        >>> # Start a DPF server using this context
+        >>> # server = dpf.start_local_server(context=custom_server_context)
+        """
+        self._xml_path = str(xml_path)
+
     def __str__(self):
         """Return string representation of the ServerContext instance."""
         return (
diff --git a/tests/test_server.py b/tests/test_server.py
index b7ff9a4459..ba867611b1 100644
--- a/tests/test_server.py
+++ b/tests/test_server.py
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@
 from ansys.dpf.core.server_factory import CommunicationProtocols, ServerConfig
 from conftest import (
     SERVERS_VERSION_GREATER_THAN_OR_EQUAL_TO_4_0,
+    SERVERS_VERSION_GREATER_THAN_OR_EQUAL_TO_10_0,
     raises_for_servers_version_under,
     remove_none_available_config,
     running_docker,
@@ -180,6 +181,37 @@ def test_server_plugins(self, server_config):
         assert "native" in server_plugins.keys()
 
 
+@pytest.mark.skipif(
+    not SERVERS_VERSION_GREATER_THAN_OR_EQUAL_TO_10_0, reason="not working properly before 25R2"
+)
+def test_server_context_custom_xml(remote_config_server_type, testfiles_dir):
+    from pathlib import Path
+
+    context = dpf.core.AvailableServerContexts.no_context
+    context.xml_path = Path(testfiles_dir) / "DpfCustomDefinedTest.xml"
+    server_plugins = start_local_server(config=remote_config_server_type, context=context).plugins
+    ref = ["grpc", "native"]
+    if running_docker:  # Use of custom xml not working either on Docker
+        ref = [
+            "cff",
+            "cngs",
+            "compression",
+            "documentation",
+            "fem_utils",
+            "grpc",
+            "hdf5",
+            "live_post",
+            "lsDyna",
+            "mapdl_plugin",
+            "math",
+            "mechanical_results",
+            "mesh_plugin",
+            "native",
+            "vtk",
+        ]
+    assert sorted(list(server_plugins.keys())) == ref
+
+
 @pytest.mark.skipif(
     os.name == "posix" or running_docker,
     reason="lin issue: 2 processes can be run with same port",
diff --git a/tests/testfiles/DpfCustomDefinedTest.xml b/tests/testfiles/DpfCustomDefinedTest.xml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..05d9175388
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/testfiles/DpfCustomDefinedTest.xml
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+<?xml version="1.0"?>
+<Dpf version="1.0">
+    <DefaultPlugins>
+        <Linux>
+		    <grpc>
+                <Path>$(ANSYS_ROOT_FOLDER)/dpf/bin/linx64/libAns.Dpf.Grpc.so</Path>
+                <Loader>LoadOperators</Loader>
+            </grpc>
+            <native>
+                <Path>$(ANSYS_ROOT_FOLDER)/dpf/bin/linx64/libAns.Dpf.Native.so</Path>
+                <Loader>LoadOperators</Loader>
+            </native>
+        </Linux>
+        <Windows>
+			<grpc>
+				<Path>$(ANSYS_ROOT_FOLDER)\dpf\bin\winx64\Ans.Dpf.Grpc.dll</Path>
+				<Loader>LoadOperators</Loader>
+			</grpc>
+			<native>
+				<Path>$(ANSYS_ROOT_FOLDER)\dpf\bin\winx64\Ans.Dpf.Native.dll</Path>
+				<Loader>LoadOperators</Loader>
+			</native>
+        </Windows>
+    </DefaultPlugins>
+	<SearchPath>
+		<Linux>
+			<Path>$(ANSYS_ROOT_FOLDER)/dpf/bin/linx64</Path>
+		</Linux> 
+		<Windows>
+			<Debug>
+				<Path>$(ANSYS_ROOT_FOLDER)\dpf\bin\winx64</Path>
+			</Debug>
+			<Release>
+				<Path>$(ANSYS_ROOT_FOLDER)\dpf\bin\winx64</Path>
+			</Release>
+        </Windows>
+	</SearchPath>
+    <Environment>
+		<Windows>
+		  <ANSYS_DPF_ACCEPT_LA>Y</ANSYS_DPF_ACCEPT_LA>
+		</Windows>
+		<Linux>
+		 <ANSYS_DPF_ACCEPT_LA>Y</ANSYS_DPF_ACCEPT_LA>
+		</Linux>
+	</Environment>
+</Dpf>
\ No newline at end of file