Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Product Warranty Liability (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended						9 Months Ended				3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			3 Months Ended							9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012	Apr. 30, 2012	Jan. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2013		Jul. 31, 2012		Jul. 31, 2013 Extended Warranty Programs [Member]	Jul. 31, 2012 Extended Warranty Programs [Member]	Jul. 31, 2013 Extended Warranty Programs [Member]	Jul. 31, 2012 Extended Warranty Programs [Member]	Oct. 31, 2012 Extended Warranty Programs [Member]	Jul. 31, 2013 Product Warranty Accrual [Member]		Apr. 30, 2013 Product Warranty Accrual [Member]		Jan. 31, 2013 Product Warranty Accrual [Member]	Apr. 30, 2012 Product Warranty Accrual [Member]	Jan. 31, 2012 Product Warranty Accrual [Member]	Jul. 31, 2013 G E Operating Agreement [Member]
Product Liability Contingency [Line Items]
Sales of manufactured products, net	$ 2,820			$ 3,204			$ 7,905		$ 9,387														$ (113)
Product Warranty Accrual, Preexisting Increase Decrease Per Share, Net of Tax																$ 0.60		$ 2.04		$ 0.50	$ 0.92	$ 1.07
Warranty Recoveries		13	27
Accrued Product Warranty And Deferred Warranty Revenue, Standard And Extended Warranty Programs, Roll Forward:
Balance at beginning of period			1,118			598	1,118		598
Costs accrued and revenues deferred							342	[1]	353	[1]
Divestitures							(3)		0
Currency translation adjustment							(3)		(4)
Adjustments to pre-existing warranties			13				252	[2]	259	[2]						48	[2]	164	[2]	40	104	123
Payments and revenues recognized							(484)		(324)
Accrued product warranty and deferred warranty revenue at end of period	1,222			882			1,222		882
Less: Current portion	618			448			618		448
Noncurrent accrued product warranty and deferred warranty revenue	604			434			604		434
Product Warranty Accrual, Preexisting Increase (Decrease), net of tax					63	75
Extended Warranty Program:
Deferred Revenue											421		421		364
Revenue recognized under extended warranty programs											23	17	63	48
Revenue extended warranty service contracts		$ 33			$ 24

[1] (A)Adjustments to pre-existing warranties reflect changes in our estimate of warranty costs for products sold in prior periods. Such adjustments typically occur when claims experience deviates from historic and expected trends. Our warranty liability is generally affected by component failure rates, repair costs, and the timing of failures. Future events and circumstances related to these factors could materially change our estimates and require adjustments to our liability. In addition, new product launches require a greater use of judgment in developing estimates until historical experience becomes available. In the first quarter of 2013, we recorded adjustments for changes in estimates of $40 million, or $0.50 per diluted share. In the second quarter of 2013, we recorded adjustments for changes in estimates of $164 million, or $2.04 per diluted share. In the third quarter of 2013, we recorded adjustments for changes in estimates of $48 million, or $0.60 per diluted share. The impact of income taxes on the 2013 adjustments are not material due to our deferred tax valuation allowances on our U.S. deferred tax assets. In the first quarter of 2012, adjustments for changes in estimates amounted to $123 million, $75 million net of tax or $1.07 per diluted share. In the second quarter of 2012, we recorded adjustments for changes in estimates of $104 million, $63 million net of tax or $0.92. The impact of income taxes on the 2012 adjustments reflect the Company's 2012 estimated annual effective tax rate as of July 31, 2012.

[2] (B)In the first quarter of 2013, we recognized $13 million of charges for adjustments to pre-existing warranties for a specific warranty issue related to component parts from a supplier. Also during the first quarter of 2013, we reached agreement for reimbursement from this supplier for this amount and other costs previously accrued. As a result of this agreement, we recognized a recovery of $27 million within Costs of products sold and recorded a receivable within Other current assets. In the second quarter of 2013, we recognized a warranty recovery of $13 million within Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax and recorded a receivable within Other current assets.In the third quarter of 2012, we recognized $10 million of adjustments to pre-existing warranties for a specific warranty issue related to component parts from a supplier. Also during the quarter, we reached agreement for reimbursement from such supplier and recognized a recovery for that amount and recorded a receivable within Other current assets.