Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Product Warranty Liability (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended							12 Months Ended						3 Months Ended									12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011	Apr. 30, 2011	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2013 Extended Warranty Programs [Member]	Oct. 31, 2012 Extended Warranty Programs [Member]	Oct. 31, 2011 Extended Warranty Programs [Member]	Oct. 31, 2013 Product Warranty Accrual [Member]	Jul. 31, 2013 Product Warranty Accrual [Member]		Apr. 30, 2013 Product Warranty Accrual [Member]		Jan. 31, 2013 Product Warranty Accrual [Member]	Oct. 31, 2012 Product Warranty Accrual [Member]	Apr. 30, 2012 Product Warranty Accrual [Member]	Jan. 31, 2012 Product Warranty Accrual [Member]	Oct. 31, 2013 G E Operating Agreement [Member]
Product Liability Contingency [Line Items]
Sales of manufactured products, net								$ 10,617	$ 12,527	$ 13,441													$ (113)
Product Warranty Accrual, Preexisting Increase Decrease Per Share, Net of Tax						$ 0.39	$ 0.34							$ 1.89	$ 0.60		$ 2.04		$ 0.50	$ 2.16	$ 1.51	$ 1.76
Warranty Recoveries			13	27
Accrued Product Warranty And Deferred Warranty Revenue, Standard And Extended Warranty Programs, Roll Forward:
Balance at November 1				1,118				1,118	598	506
Costs accrued and revenues deferred(A)								469	575	407
Product Warranty Accrual, Additions from Business Acquisition								0	0	5
Divestitures								(3)	0	0
Currency translation adjustment								(2)	(4)	0
Adjustments to pre-existing warranties	152	10		13	149	30	27	404	404	79					48	[1]	164	[1]	40	149	104	123
Payments and revenues recognized								(637)	(455)	(399)
Balance at October 31	1,349				1,118			1,349	1,118	598
Less: Current portion	601				551			601	551	263
Noncurrent accrued product warranty and deferred warranty revenue	748				567			748	567	335
Extended Warranty Program:
Deferred Revenue											420	364	257
Deferred Revenue, Revenue Recognized											$ 87	$ 63	$ 53

[1] (C)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.