Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended															12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2011 Personal Systems Group	Oct. 31, 2010 Personal Systems Group	Oct. 31, 2011 Services	Oct. 31, 2010 Services	Oct. 31, 2011 Imaging and Printing Group	Oct. 31, 2010 Imaging and Printing Group	Oct. 31, 2011 Enterprise Servers, Storage and Networking	Oct. 31, 2010 Enterprise Servers, Storage and Networking	Oct. 31, 2011 HP Software	Oct. 31, 2010 HP Software	Oct. 31, 2011 HP Financial Services	Oct. 31, 2010 HP Financial Services	Oct. 31, 2009 HP Financial Services	Oct. 31, 2011 Corporate Investments	Oct. 31, 2010 Corporate Investments
Goodwill
Goodwill beginning balance	$ 38,483	$ 33,109	$ 2,500	$ 2,487	$ 16,967	$ 16,829	$ 2,456	$ 2,460	$ 6,610	$ 5,005	$ 7,545	$ 6,140	$ 144	$ 144	$ 144	$ 2,261	$ 44
Goodwill acquired during the period	6,868	5,230		18	66	17	16			1,635	6,786	1,407					2,153
Goodwill adjustments/reclassifications	13	144	(2)	(5)	247	121	(1)	(4)	1,460	(30)	(268)	(2)				(1,423)	64
Impairment loss	(813)															(813)
Goodwill ending balance	$ 44,551	$ 38,483	$ 2,498	$ 2,500	$ 17,280	$ 16,967	$ 2,471	$ 2,456	$ 8,070	$ 6,610	$ 14,063	$ 7,545	$ 144	$ 144	$ 144	$ 25	$ 2,261