Stock-Based Compensation - Weighted Average Assumptions Used to Estimate Fair Value of Awards (Details) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
VMware Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected volatility	32.00%	36.20%	38.50%
Risk-free interest rate	1.10%	0.90%	0.90%
Expected term (in years)	3 years 3 months	3 years 2 months	3 years 6 months 20 days
Weighted-average fair value at grant date (in usd per share)	$ 27.16	$ 48.47	$ 29.47
VMware | VMware Employee Stock Purchase - 2007 Plan | VMware Class A common stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected volatility	30.10%	32.30%	32.90%
Risk-free interest rate	0.10%	0.10%	0.10%
Expected term (in years)	6 months	6 months	6 months
Weighted-average fair value at grant date (in usd per share)	$ 20.59	$ 20.71	$ 20.45