Taxes on Earnings (Detail 4) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended			14 Months Ended	46 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2015 USD ($) item	Oct. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2009 USD ($)	Aug. 26, 2008 USD ($)
Reconciliation of unrecognized tax benefits
Balance at beginning of year	$ 4,128	$ 3,484	$ 2,573
Increases:
For current year's tax positions	1,942	304	290
For prior years' tax positions	4,673	593	997
Decreases:
For prior years' tax positions	(655)	(125)	(146)
Statute of limitations expirations	(21)	(46)	(11)
Settlements with taxing authorities	(90)	(82)	(219)
Balance at end of year	9,977	4,128	3,484
Unrecognized tax benefits that would affect effective tax rate if realized	3,000	2,200	$ 1,900
Increase in unrecognized tax benefit related to the timing of intercompany royalty income recognition	5,800
Accrued income tax for interest and penalties	$ 357	$ 254
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	$ 144
Number of other countries in which HP is subject to income taxes | item	105
Income tax examination, reduction in tax benefits	$ 445
Income tax examination, additional tax payable				$ 62	$ 274
Income tax examination, proposed assessment amount	733
Undistributed earnings from non-U.S. operations	$ 47,200