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Non-controlling Interests - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]    
Non-controlling interest $ 1,555us-gaap_MinorityInterest $ 1,629us-gaap_MinorityInterest
VMware    
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]    
Non-controlling interest 1,450us-gaap_MinorityInterest
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= emc_VmwareMember		 1,524us-gaap_MinorityInterest
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= emc_VmwareMember
Voting power of VMware's outstanding common stock 97.00%emc_EquityMethodInvestmentVotingOwnershipPercentage
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= emc_VmwareMember		  
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent 81.00%us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= emc_VmwareMember		  
Pivotal    
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]    
Non-controlling interest $ 105us-gaap_MinorityInterest
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= emc_PivotalMember		 $ 105us-gaap_MinorityInterest
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= emc_PivotalMember
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent 84.00%us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= emc_PivotalMember