Taxes on Earnings (Detail 4) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended			60 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2016 USD ($) item	Oct. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2009 USD ($)
Reconciliation of unrecognized tax benefits
Balance at beginning of year	$ 4,901	$ 2,067	$ 1,925
Increases:
For current year's tax positions	1,481	1,449	273
For prior years' tax positions	863	3,591	533
Net transfers from former Parent through equity	4,540	0	0
Decreases:
For prior years' tax positions	(115)	(554)	(328)
Statute of limitations expiration	(47)	(12)	(121)
Settlements with taxing authorities	(73)	(54)	(215)
Net transfers to former Parent through equity	0	(1,586)	0
Balance at end of year	11,550	4,901	2,067
Unrecognized tax benefits that would affect effective tax rate if realized	3,100	600	$ 1,400
Increase in unrecognized tax benefit related to the timing of intercompany royalty income recognition	6,600
Increase in unrecognized tax benefits		2,800
Accrued income tax for interest and penalties	$ 423	$ 269
Likelihood of no resolution period	12 months
Likelihood of conclusion period for certain federal, foreign and state tax issues	12 months
Reasonably possible decrease in existing unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12 months	$ 2,500
Number of other countries in which HP is subject to income taxes | item	110
Income tax examination, additional tax payable				$ 336
Income tax examination, proposed assessment amount	$ 743
Undistributed earnings from non-U.S. operations	$ 26,200