Basis of Presentation Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
Basis of Presentation Policies (Policies)	Jan. 31, 2016
Overview and Basis of Presentation
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The accompanying Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements of HP and its wholly-owned subsidiaries are prepared in conformity with United States ("U.S.") generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). HP has eliminated all intercompany accounts and transactions. The interim financial information is unaudited, but reflects all normal adjustments that are necessary to provide a fair statement of results for the interim periods presented. This interim information should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2015. The historical results of operations and financial position of Hewlett Packard Enterprise are included in the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements and reported as discontinued operations in all periods presented within this Form 10-Q. Fiscal 2015 information in the accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements have been revised to reflect the effect of the Separation, except balances related to stockholders' (deficit) equity. The historical statements of comprehensive income and cash flows have not been revised to reflect the effect of the Separation. For further information on discontinued operations, see Note 2, "Discontinued Operations".
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation The Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements include the accounts of HP and its subsidiaries and affiliates in which HP has a controlling financial interest or is the primary beneficiary. HP accounts for investments in companies over which HP has the ability to exercise significant influence but does not hold a controlling interest under the equity method, and HP records its proportionate share of income or losses in Interest and other, net in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings. HP presents non-controlling interests as a separate component within Total stockholders' (deficit) equity in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets.
Reclassifications	Reclassifications HP has made certain segment and business unit realignments in order to optimize its operating structure. Reclassifications of certain prior-year segment and business unit financial information have been made to conform to the current-year presentation. None of the changes impacts HP's previously reported consolidated net revenue, earnings from operations, net earnings or net earnings per share ("EPS"). See Note 3, "Segment Information, for a further discussion of HP's segment realignment.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in HP's Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
Accounting Pronouncements	Accounting Pronouncements In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued guidance which amends the existing accounting standards for leases. Consistent with current guidance, the recognition, measurement, and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease by a lessee primarily will depend on its classification. Under the new guidance, a lessee will be required to recognize assets and liabilities for all leases with lease terms of more than 12 months. HP is required to adopt the guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2020 using a modified retrospective approach. HP is currently evaluating the timing and the impact of these amendments on its Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements. In January 2016, the FASB issued guidance which amends the existing accounting standards for the recognition and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities. The updated guidance primarily addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. HP is required to adopt the guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The amendments should be applied by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption, with other amendments related specifically to equity securities without readily determinable fair values applied prospectively. HP is currently evaluating the timing and the impact of these amendments on its Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements. In November 2015, the FASB issued new accounting guidance related to income taxes to simplify the presentation of deferred income taxes. This guidance requires that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. HP early adopted this new accounting guidance prospectively for the interim period beginning November 1, 2015. The adoption of this new accounting guidance resulted in all deferred tax liabilities and assets to be classified as noncurrent on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets for the interim period beginning November 1, 2015. See Note 7, "Taxes on Earnings", for additional information related to the presentation of deferred income taxes. In April 2015, the FASB amended the existing accounting standards for intangible assets. The amendments provide explicit guidance to customers in determining the accounting for fees paid in a cloud computing arrangement, wherein the arrangements that do not convey a software license to the customer are accounted for as service contracts. HP is required to adopt the guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2017; however early adoption is permitted. The amendment may be adopted either prospectively to all arrangements entered into or materially modified after the effective date or retrospectively. HP is currently evaluating the impact of these amendments on its Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements. In April 2015, the FASB amended the existing accounting standards for imputation of interest. The amendments require that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented on the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by these amendments. HP is required to adopt the guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments should be applied retrospectively with the adjusted balance sheet of each individual period presented, in order to reflect the period-specific effects of applying the new guidance. HP is currently evaluating the timing and the impact of these amendments on its Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements. In May 2014, the FASB amended the existing accounting standards for revenue recognition. The amendments are based on the principle that revenue should be recognized to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In August 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standard update for a one-year deferral of the effective date, with an option of applying the standard on the original effective date, which for HP is the first quarter of fiscal 2018. In accordance with this deferral, HP is required to adopt these amendments in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The amendments may be applied retrospectively to each prior period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect recognized as of the date of initial application. HP is continuing to evaluate the impact of these amendments and the transition alternatives on its Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements. In April 2014, the FASB issued guidance which changes the criteria for identifying a discontinued operation. The guidance limits the definition of a discontinued operation to the disposal of a component or group of components that is disposed of or is classified as held for sale and represents a strategic shift that has, or will have, a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results. HP has adopted the guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2016 and prepared the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements consistent with the provisions of the guidance. See Note 2, "Discontinued Operations", for additional information.
Discontinued Operations	HP no longer consolidates Hewlett Packard Enterprise within its financial results of continuing operations. The financial results of Hewlett Packard Enterprise are presented as (loss) earnings from discontinued operations, net of taxes on the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings. Discontinued operations include results of Hewlett Packard Enterprise's business and separation costs primarily related to third-party consulting, contractor fees and other related costs.
Segment Reporting Policy	HP derives the results of the business segments directly from its internal management reporting system. Segment net revenue includes revenues from sales to external customers and intersegment revenues that reflect transactions between the segments on an arm's-length basis. HP's consolidated net revenue is derived and reported after the elimination of intersegment revenues from such arrangements. HP does not allocate to its segments certain operating expenses, which it manages at the corporate level. These unallocated costs include certain corporate governance costs, stock-based compensation expense, restructuring charges, amortization of intangible assets and non-operating retirement-related credits.
Employer Contributions and Funding Policy	Employer Contributions and Funding Policy HP's policy is to fund its pension plans so that it makes at least the minimum contribution required by local government, funding and taxing authorities. HP's pension and other post-retirement benefit costs and obligations depend on various assumptions. Differences between expected and actual returns on investments and changes in discount rates and other actuarial assumptions are reflected as unrecognized gains or losses, and such gains or losses are amortized to earnings in future periods. A deterioration in the funded status of a plan could result in a need for additional company contributions or an increase in net pension and post-retirement benefit costs in future periods. Actuarial gains or losses are determined at the measurement date and amortized over the remaining service life for active plans or the life expectancy of plan participants for frozen plans.
Stock-Based Compensation	Restricted Stock Awards HP uses the closing stock price of the grant date to estimate the fair value of service-based restricted stock units. HP estimates the fair value of restricted stock units subject to performance-adjusted vesting conditions using a combination of the closing stock price of the grant date and the Monte Carlo simulation model. Stock Options HP utilizes the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing formula to estimate the fair value of stock options subject to service-based vesting conditions. HP estimates the fair value of stock options subject to performance-contingent vesting conditions using a combination of a Monte Carlo simulation model and a lattice model, as these awards contain market conditions.
Taxes on Earnings	HP adjusts its uncertain tax positions to reflect the impact of negotiations, settlements, rulings, advice of legal counsel, and other information and events pertaining to a particular audit. HP recognizes interest income from favorable settlements and interest expense and penalties accrued on unrecognized tax benefits in the provision for taxes in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings. HP periodically engages in intercompany advanced royalty payment arrangements that may result in advance payments between subsidiaries in different tax jurisdictions. When the local tax treatment of the intercompany licensing arrangements differs from U.S. GAAP treatment, deferred taxes are recognized.
Transfers and Servicing Trade Receivables Policy	These financing arrangements, which in certain circumstances may contain partial recourse, result in a transfer of HP's receivables and risk, to the third-party. As these transfers qualify as true sales under the applicable accounting guidance, the receivables are derecognized from the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets upon transfer, and HP receives a payment for the receivables from the third-party within a mutually agreed upon time period. For arrangements involving an element of recourse, the recourse obligation is measured using market data from the similar transactions and reported as a current liability in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets.
Fair Value	Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair Value Hierarchy HP uses valuation techniques that are based upon observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs are developed using market data such as publicly available information and reflect the assumptions market participants would use, while unobservable inputs are developed using the best information available about the assumptions market participants would use. Assets and liabilities are classified in the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement: Level 1—Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2—Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability and market-corroborated inputs. Level 3—Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to observable inputs and lowest priority to unobservable inputs. Valuation Techniques Cash Equivalents and Investments: HP holds time deposits, money market funds, mutual funds, other debt securities primarily consisting of corporate and foreign government notes and bonds, and common stock and equivalents. HP values cash equivalents and equity investments using quoted market prices, alternative pricing sources, including net asset value, or models utilizing market observable inputs. The fair value of debt investments was based on quoted market prices or model-driven valuations using inputs primarily derived from or corroborated by observable market data, and, in certain instances, valuation models that utilize assumptions which cannot be corroborated with observable market data. Derivative Instruments: From time to time HP uses forward contracts, interest rate and total return swaps and option contracts to hedge certain foreign currency and interest rate exposures. HP uses industry standard valuation models to measure fair value. Where applicable, these models project future cash flows and discount the future amounts to present value using market-based observable inputs, including interest rate curves, HP and counterparty credit risk, foreign currency rates, and forward and spot prices for currencies and interest rates. See Note 10, "Financial Instruments" for a further discussion of HP's use of derivative instruments. Other Fair Value Disclosures Short- and Long-Term Debt: HP estimates the fair value of its debt primarily using an expected present value technique, which is based on observable market inputs using interest rates currently available to companies of similar credit standing for similar terms and remaining maturities, and considering its own credit risk. The portion of HP's debt that is hedged is reflected in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets as an amount equal to the debt's carrying amount and a fair value adjustment representing changes in the fair value of the hedged debt obligations arising from movements in benchmark interest rates. If measured at fair value in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets, short- and long-term debt would be classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Other Financial Instruments: For the balance of HP's financial instruments, primarily accounts receivable, accounts payable and financial liabilities included in other accrued liabilities, the carrying amounts approximate fair value due to their short maturities. If measured at fair value in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets, these other financial instruments would be classified in Level 2 or Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. Non-Marketable Equity Investments and Non-Financial Assets: HP's non-marketable equity investments and non-financial assets, such as goodwill, intangible assets and property, plant and equipment, are recorded at fair value in the period an impairment charge is recognized. If measured at fair value in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets, these would generally be classified in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
Cash equivalents and available-for-sale investments	All highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the date of acquisition are considered cash equivalents.
Debt and Marketable Equity Securities	Equity securities in privately held companies include cost basis and equity method investments and are included in Other non-current assets in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets.
Derivative Financial Instruments	Derivative Instruments HP uses derivatives to offset business exposure to foreign currency and interest rate risk on expected future cash flows and on certain existing assets and liabilities. As part of its risk management strategy, HP uses derivative instruments, primarily forward contracts, interest rate swaps, total return swaps and, at times, option contracts to hedge certain foreign currency, interest rate and, to a lesser extent, equity exposures. HP may designate its derivative contracts as fair value hedges or cash flow hedges. Additionally, for derivatives not designated as hedging instruments, HP categorizes those economic hedges as other derivatives. HP recognizes all derivative instruments at fair value in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets. HP classifies cash flows from its derivative programs with the activities that correspond to the underlying hedged items in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows. As a result of its use of derivative instruments, HP is exposed to the risk that its counterparties will fail to meet their contractual obligations. Master netting agreements mitigate credit exposure to counterparties by permitting HP to net amounts due from HP to counterparty against amounts due to HP from the same counterparty under certain conditions. To further limit credit risk, HP has collateral security agreements that allow HP to hold collateral from, or require HP to post collateral to, counterparties when aggregate derivative fair values exceed contractually established thresholds which are generally based on the credit ratings of HP and its counterparties. If HP's or the counterparty's credit rating falls below a specified credit rating, either party has the right to request full collateralization of the derivatives' net liability position. Under HP's derivative contracts, the counterparty can terminate all outstanding trades following a covered change of control event affecting HP that results in the surviving entity being rated below a specified credit rating. Fair Value Hedges HP enters into fair value hedges, such as interest rate swaps, to reduce the exposure of its debt portfolio to changes in fair value resulting from changes in interest rates by achieving a primarily U.S. dollar London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR")-based floating interest expense. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges, HP recognizes the change in fair value of the derivative instrument, as well as the offsetting change in the fair value of the hedged item, in Interest and other, net in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings in the period of change. Cash Flow Hedges HP uses forward contracts and at times, option contracts designated as cash flow hedges to protect against the foreign currency exchange rate risks inherent in its forecasted net revenue and, to a lesser extent, cost of sales, operating expenses, and intercompany loans denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. HP's foreign currency cash flow hedges mature generally within twelve months; however, hedges related to longer term procurement arrangements extend several years and forward contracts associated with intercompany loans extend for the duration of the lease or loan term, which typically range from two to five years. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, HP initially records changes in fair value for the effective portion of the derivative instrument in Accumulated other comprehensive loss as a separate component of stockholders' (deficit) equity in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets and subsequently reclassifies these amounts into earnings in the period during which the hedged transaction is recognized in earnings. HP reports the effective portion of its cash flow hedges in the same financial statement line item as changes in the fair value of the hedged item. Net Investment Hedges HP used forward contracts designated as net investment hedges to hedge net investments in certain foreign subsidiaries whose functional currency was the local currency. As part of the Separation, HP disposed of all these foreign subsidiaries and no longer utilizes net investment hedges. HP recorded the effective portion of such derivative instruments together with changes in the fair value of the hedged items in Cumulative translation adjustment as a separate component of stockholders' (deficit) equity. Other Derivatives Other derivatives not designated as hedging instruments consist primarily of forward contracts used to hedge foreign currency-denominated balance sheet exposures. HP uses total return swaps to hedge its executive deferred compensation plan liability. For derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments, HP recognizes changes in fair value of the derivative instrument, as well as the offsetting change in the fair value of the hedged item, in Interest and other, net in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings in the period of change. Hedge Effectiveness For interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges, HP measures hedge effectiveness by offsetting the change in fair value of the hedged item with the change in fair value of the derivative. For foreign currency options and forward contracts designated as cash flow hedges, HP measures hedge effectiveness by comparing the cumulative change in fair value of the hedge contract with the cumulative change in fair value of the hedged item, both of which are based on forward rates. HP recognizes any ineffective portion of the hedge in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings in the same period in which ineffectiveness occurs. Amounts excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings in the period they arise.
Offsetting of Derivatives	Offsetting of Derivative Instruments HP recognizes all derivative instruments on a gross basis in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets. HP does not offset the fair value of its derivative instruments against the fair value of cash collateral posted under its collateral security agreements.
Net Earnings per share	HP calculates basic net EPS using net earnings and the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted net EPS includes any dilutive effect of restricted stock awards, stock options, performance-based awards and shares purchased under the employee stock purchase plan. HP considers restricted stock that provides the holder with a non-forfeitable right to receive dividends to be participating securities. HP excludes stock options and restricted stock units where the assumed proceeds exceed the average market price from the calculation of diluted net EPS, because their effect would be anti-dilutive. The assumed proceeds of a stock option include the sum of its exercise price, average unrecognized compensation cost and excess tax benefits. The assumed proceeds of a restricted stock unit include the sum of its average unrecognized compensation cost and excess tax benefits.
Litigation and Contingencies Policy	HP is involved in lawsuits, claims, investigations and proceedings, including those identified below, consisting of IP, commercial, securities, employment, employee benefits and environmental matters that arise in the ordinary course of business. HP accrues a liability when management believes that it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. HP reviews these matters at least quarterly and adjusts its accruals to reflect the impact of negotiations, settlements, rulings, advice of legal counsel, and other information and events pertaining to a particular case. Litigation is inherently unpredictable. However, HP believes it has valid defenses with respect to legal matters pending against it. Nevertheless, cash flows or results of operations could be materially affected in any particular period by the resolution of one or more of these contingencies.
Warranty	Warranties HP accrues the estimated cost of product warranties at the time it recognizes revenue. HP engages in extensive product quality programs and processes, including actively monitoring and evaluating the quality of its component suppliers; however, contractual warranty terms, repair costs, product call rates, average cost per call, current period product shipments and ongoing product failure rates, as well as specific product class failures outside of HP's baseline experience, affect the estimated warranty obligation.