Balance Sheet Details (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2015
Accounts Receivable, Net
Unbilled receivable				$ 1,086	$ 1,396
Accounts receivable				5,907	7,251
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ (109)	$ (126)	$ (150)	(84)	(109)
Accounts receivable, net				6,909	8,538
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of year	109	126	150
Provision for doubtful accounts	52	27	50
Deductions, net of recoveries	(77)	(44)	(74)
Balance at end of year	84	109	126
Trade receivables sold and cash received
Balance at beginning of period	68	188	70
Trade receivables sold	3,015	4,221	3,947
Cash receipts	(2,931)	(4,327)	(3,815)
Foreign currency and other	(7)	(14)	(14)
Balance at end of period	$ 145	$ 68	$ 188
Inventory
Finished goods				1,202	1,518
Purchased parts and fabricated assemblies				572	680
Inventory, net				1,774	2,198
Other Current Assets
Value-added taxes receivable				1,060	1,538
Manufacturer and other receivables				1,057	1,992
Prepaid and other current assets				2,207	2,938
Other current assets, total				4,324	6,468
Long-Term Financing Receivables and Other Assets
Financing receivables, net				3,938	3,642
Deferred tax assets—long-term				4,430	3,925
Deferred costs—long-term				822	715
Other				4,026	2,593
Long-Term Financing Receivables and Other Assets, total				13,216	10,875
Other Accrued Liabilities
Accrued taxes—other				1,297	1,364
Warranty				258	276
Sales and marketing programs				858	908
Other				2,578	3,766
Other Accrued Liabilities, total				4,991	6,314
Other Liabilities
Pension, post-retirement, and post-employment liabilities				4,230	3,432
Deferred revenue—long-term				3,408	3,565
Deferred tax liability—long-term				143	41
Tax liability—long-term				4,057	778
Other long-term liabilities				1,184	1,086
Other Liabilities, total				13,022	$ 8,902
H3C
Inventory
Inventory, net				$ 200